Front of Renaissance villa, white stucco with ornate decoration around grey shuttered windows and balconies, ornamental gardens with flower beds, steps leading to ornate gold and black wrought iron gates with bronze statues on matching columns, Lake Como

Interior of Tempio at Villa Melzi with ornate stucco interior, black and white geometric pattern of floor, arched windows and doorway with view onto Lake Como, sunlit autumn afternoon, Northern Italy

2 people sitting, talking, on bench at lakeside, Lake Como, Italy, silhouetted in evening sunlight, with shimmering water in background, and silhouette of trees framing them

View of lakeside restaurant covered outdoor terrace, with mesh iron railing, black columns, ornamental lamps hanging, and baskets of red geraniums, with lake and mountains beyond, Lake Como, Italy

Ornamental gardens of Villa Monastero with ornate wrought iron railing, stone bench on balcony, view overlooking Lake Como and mountain range beyond, sun setting across lake, Northern Italy

Lily pads in ornate fountain

Ornamental gardens of Villa Melzi with path along lake shore, flanked by trees and bushes with autumn foliage, grassy slopes, pond with waterlilies, stone carved balustrade with stone columns, and lion statues, on sunlit hazy autumn afternoon, Lake Como,

Renaissance courtyard of Palazzo Paleotti, with typical arched portico, frescoed decoration over arches, ornate wrought iron gate leading to street beyond, Bologna, Italy

Detail view of Villa Carlotta ornamental gardens, terraced stairways, fountain with statue and waterlilies, flowerbeds of red begonias, Lake Como, Northern Italy

Interior of Romanesque church of San Giacomo showing side nave with stone columns and arches, wooden ceiling and illuminated altar, Bellagio, Lake Como, Northern Italy

Front view of large, multilevel old house with coach house, in Northern italy with stone facade, ornate arched windows, painted balconies and painted exterior, trees surrounding with autumn foliage on sunny afternoon, Northern Italy

View of Bellagio lakefront in early morning sunshine, autumn colours of beech trees, passenger ferry leaving dock, mountain range visible across Lake Como, Northern Italy

Ornate sunlit iron gate, Lake Como, Italy