Above Brunate

Tucked into a historic building on Via Volta, this apartment puts you six minutes on foot from Piazza Cavour's lakeside energy and an eight-minute walk from the Gothic-Renaissance grandeur of Como Duomo. The clever split-level features a lower level for living and cooking, with a balcony off the bedroom, and a mezzanine above where aged timber ceilings make for a restful retreat. It's a calm, design-led space in one of Italy's most celebrated lake towns, and the waterfront is essentially at your door.

Home truths:
* The ventilation system works best with the windows kept closed – something worth factoring in if you like fresh air while you sleep.
* The heating and cooling here operates on a fixed seasonal schedule: air conditioning runs from 16th April to 14th October, and heating takes over from 15th October to 15th April. If your trip falls near either switchover date, it's worth knowing that the system won't be able to do both.
* There's no iron or ironing board in the apartment – if smart clothes are on your packing list, you may want to plan ahead.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. It's worth requesting these in advance to make sure everything is ready on arrival.
* The second double bedroom is on the mezzanine level and semi-open to the space below, so privacy is limited.
* You won't find an oven here – though there is a microwave and a hob. We think the kitchen is better suited to prepping lighter bites than large meals.