If your trip takes you to Milan, and you are lucky to have the extra time you want to spend outside the city crowds, this is definitely the text for you. Many will recommend you to go to Lake Como, which should not be missed, but if you long for a small town where you can rest from your own thoughts, then Varano Borghi is for you.
A small town, located in the picturesque nature that completes Lake Comabbio, 50 km from Milan, and has only 2500 inhabitants. The name Varano comes from the old Celtic word Var meaning water, which indicates a place located next to water. The history of this place dates back to the Bronze Age, and the remains of amphorae full of gold coins are proof that the place was of great importance in the Roman Empire. At the end of the 18th century, Varano became the property of Fedele Borghi di Gallarate, and the legacy of that name is Villa Borghi, the palace where the family of the same name lived, where you can book a weekend today and feel like an aristocracy.
The sumptuous palace underwent restoration in the nineteenth century. The hotel is surrounded by a 6.5-hectare park and relaxing lake views.
Some historians believed that the villa was built on an ancient castle whose traces remain in the main hall, which corresponds to a castle hall that would have been preserved despite the transformations that took place. The recent restoration, which thoroughly researched the materials used in the construction, however, did not find solid evidence that could support this hypothesis, but royal treatment is certainly guaranteed.
The current appearance of the villas can be attributed to the restoration carried out by the Milan architect Paolo Cesa Bianchi between 1860 and 1879. Already at the entrance of the palace you will be enchanted by an elegant marble staircase leading to the upper floor from which through the atrium, bordered by a wrought iron fence, you can see the atrium, which thus develops in height on two levels. The large extension of the villa consists of a series of rooms, lounges, a library leading to a large park, partly built in the English style,with a touch of romance, ideal for expressing the social prestige that the family has achieved. All the halls were decorated by the Varese artist Pietro Michis.
The beauty of this palace, apart from in appearance, is also in its offer. In addition to a relaxing view of the endless lake that becomes a real magic during each sunset, you can also relax in the wellness of the villa, or in the summer months in the outdoor pool.
The outdoor pool blends in perfectly with the green English grass, with palm trees giving it a slightly exotic look. The wellness area offers everything you need to relax, and an elevator and warm corridors lead you from the room to the wellness center, so you can walk freely from the room in the bathrobe and indulge in the charms of saunas, massages and swimming pools.
To make the offer complete, right next to the villa, there is the Scuderia restaurant, which will satisfy all lovers of Italian cuisine. The name comes from the word stable since it is truly a remodeled barn area where horses once lived. No worries, all that remains of this word is the rustic flair of a superbly decorated restaurant in which each guest is approached with special hospitality.
During the day, in addition to enjoying the wellness and pool, you can stretch out for a walk around the nearby lake and relax your thoughts with the endless blue and green colors that alternate in this picturesque landscape.
As Milan is truly at your fingertips, if you head to Varano on Friday, you get to reset yourself by Sunday and return to the city streets with the inevitable aperitivo or a walk through the Parco Sempione.
