Celebrities and Lake Como

Lake Como is one of nature’s most beautiful gifts to humanity. Its scenic and breathtaking views combined with a wealthy cultural heritage make the lake a little slice of heaven on Earth. In fact, many tourists and aristocrats have chosen Lake Como as their favorite vacation destination for several centuries.

Poets, artists and musicians love the picturesque sights because they get inspiration to write the loveliest lines. Poets Lord Byron and Percy Shelley and composer Giuseppe Verdi were a few of these artists.

The film “A Month by the Lake” which starred Uma Thurman and Vanessa Redgrave was shot on different places around the magnificent lake. The villa near Lake Como served as the secret hideaway in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones where Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker got married. In the movie Casino Royale, the same villa was the place where Daniel Craig’s character James Bond recovered. Villa La Gaeta was also featured in the final scene of Casino Royale when the protagonist shoots Mr. White.

Another movie, the “Ocean’s Twelve” included shots in Villa Erba. George Clooney and Brad Pitt are two of the lead actors in the particular film. Gwen Stefani also had her music video shoot for her song “Cool” around Lake Como.

The area surrounding the lake has also been the home of several popular celebrities such as George Clooney, who acquired the Villa L’Oleandra in Laglio in 2001. The actor and his Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis have been followed around by the paparazzi in the small town just to get some photographs. Clooney have become an honorary son of the Lake Como region because of all these. Sir Richard Branson, Matthew Bellamy, Ronaldhino and the late fashion designer Gianni Versace also own villas in Lake Como.

At present, Como has become one of Europe’s most famous tourist destinations for celebrities who want sophistication, glamor and style sans the glitz and limelight. Regular visitors of Lake Como include former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham and her husband David, Tom Cruise, Elton John and many more. The villas have been popular as well because they are owned by actors or have been selected as the shooting locations for various movies. Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics, Sasha Baron Cohen, David Hasselhoff and other people from the different fields such as politics, music, film and sports have all frequented Lake Como.

Indeed, the wonderful scenery of the lake has charmed many people to come to the area and explore the rich cultural heritage of Lake Como through the villas and the lake itself.