Villa Serenità, Lake Como

A lakeside villa of honeyed stone and terracotta, built in 1912 and thoughtfully restored. Four bedrooms open onto a long terrace that looks out over the water. Mornings are for coffee by the lemon trees; afternoons for the boat that comes with the house.

The kitchen is fully equipped and large enough to cook for the whole party. The living room has a fireplace for cooler evenings, and the pool is heated from May to October. A local housekeeper comes twice a week, and a private chef can be arranged on request.