Latest news with #GrandHotelVictoria
Elle
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Zoe Saldaña's Go-To Party Menu Is Surprisingly Simple
It's difficult to upstage Zoe Saldaña these days. The in-demand actress and ELLE Women in Hollywood honoree recently won her first Academy Award, nabbing the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her triple-threat performance in the musical-drama Emilia Pérez. She's starring in Pixar's highly anticipated animated film, Elio, and the third installment of the Avatar series, which will finally hit theaters this December. But when I meet Saldaña on the banks of Lake Como in Italy to get a sneak peek of her new Grey Goose campaign, the landscape is trying its hardest to steal the show. 'Look at this set,' Saldaña exclaims from video village, the surrounding mountain range and cloud-streaked cerulean sky mirrored in the rippling waters behind her. Although Saldaña's husband is Italian and originally from Lake Garda, this is her first visit to Lake Como. ('Even Italians adore Como,' she says.) She's stationed here for a few days as the Grey Goose team takes over the Grand Hotel Victoria, transforming the property, including the dreamy lakeside beach club, into the fictional Grey Goose Hôtel for a series of new shorts she is starring in. Tapping into the brand's French ethos, the campaign is intended to encourage people to live in the moment and savor life's small pleasures. Saldaña even revealed the recipe for her favorite cocktail, playfully named the Le Zoé Spritz—a refreshing blend of vodka, rosé, sparkling water, strawberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and a few fun garnishes. 'Creatively putting a cocktail together, and enjoying that cocktail, is an experience that allows me to be more present,' Saldaña says, adding that summer is an ideal time for a spritz. As for what she'd serve alongside it? 'I am very much a fan of antipasti—cheese and salamis, like a charcuterie.' If it sounds like a party, well, Saldaña has a lot to celebrate these days. Below, shared more of her hosting tips, what audiences can expect from the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash, and how women in Hollywood are inspiring her to ask, 'What if I'm just getting started?' I'm starting to. I'm trying really, really hard. It's difficult when you are part of a business where everything is always happening. It's [a lot of] hurry up and wait. So you're constantly being compelled to be in the then and not really in the now. Then, when you become a parent, you're always planning for the future. I have to say that my children are such present beings, and they are really inspiring my husband and I, and even my folks, to be more present. That means sometimes dropping everything and just sitting down and enjoying a beautiful view, no matter where you are—enjoying company and a nice beverage. I'm taking great pleasure in allowing myself to steal moments like that. A little bit of both. I feel like it very much runs parallel with my life in terms of how I continue to evolve, and challenge myself, and grow. So, in that sense, it's been very real. I've been very present with it. And it is surreal. I am from Jackson Heights, Queens. Though I've always been exceptionally loved by an amazing family who've done everything for us, I'm just like, 'How do I get from there to here?' Sometimes it is surreal. I didn't expect it, but I've been witnessing it with so many women that I truly admire—the longevity, the empowerment, [how] women are taking back [control] over their youth, how we get to say when we're done. I'm 46, so to be able to still work and [ignore the timeline] that everybody has put on me as a woman—like, Oh, now you're 46, you have three kids, you can't do this, and you can't do that. I've taken inspiration from women like Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis. Nicole Kidman, I admire her. Demi Moore is one of my giants, how she has managed to defy the gravities that were always set for her. 'You're too pretty.' 'You're [a] popcorn [actress].' 'You're too sexy.' Every trope, she just broke, broke, broke, broke, broke. My giants continue to inspire me—that, at this age, with everything that I've done in my life, I can still say, 'Well, what if I'm just getting started?' That's beautiful, and I would love to be a part [of that] legacy of women. More like that. I'm getting things together as people are walking in, but the day before, I will go to the store and buy a lot of items. That way people can assemble their favorite cocktails. I love that. I have to say, my husband and I have mastered the pizza party. You make the best dough. You buy the best cheese, and you make the sauce from scratch, and you put everything out there, and you make it like a rotating station where people make their pizza. We really take pleasure in putting that all together. Oh my God, that's the only thing we know how to do. I grew up in a household of immigrant parents and elders, and I married an immigrant. So when we plan to have family and friends over, there's always a question: Are we going to do Italian, or is it going to be Dominican? Because it can't be both. My husband believes that it can be both. I'm like, 'We can't.' Everything has to be cohesive. Don't be putting some rice and beans with the cioppino. You can't do that. Also because [the food you serve] dictates the kind of cocktails you're going to arrange. I can't have a mojito with a carbonara. I just can't do it. But if we're doing carne asada with some guacamole, and some beans and rice, then okay, bring in your mojito. Lately in my life—outside of [some of] my commitments with these big, big amazing movies that I've been a part of—my journey as a human being and making art, it is about the reconciliation of grief. I did [the TV series] From Scratch because of it. I'm always trying to interpret, through different lens, what grief can mean and how it can impact the lives of people, and also celebrate how they manage loss. Avatar put me and Sam Worthington in a position to imagine the unimaginable by being Jake and Neytiri [who lose their son in Avatar: The Way of Water]. I think even Jim [director James Cameron] wasn't ready to see that, and he knew that was part of their journey because of the saga around this world he's creating, and the threats around this world. That deep, unimaginable sense of loss was probably something that these characters needed to experience. And I'm proud of him for doing it. I would've done it differently [laughs], because I'm a parent. But it just makes this world of Avatar a lot more meaningful. So Fire and Ash is definitely a continuation, but a process for the Sullys, and it's just so beautiful. Out of the five-episode saga, it is the exact middle for them. I do believe that Fire and Ash is going to be the biggest turning point in this journey for these two individuals and this world. Yes. Because also, in the making of the third one, we lost [Avatar producer] Jon Landau. Experiencing loss, it's just hard. Now more than ever, Avatar [has become] a much more meaningful [series], a story for all of us. So, we're very proud of it. I feel like every time I talk to Jim about it—because Jim was such a wonderful person throughout the whole campaign of Emilia Pérez, whether they were good moments or challenging moments, he was always calling me. Sigourney [Weaver, who plays Kiri in Avatar] did the same, and Sam [Worthington] did the same. For me to be a part of an amazing family of people since my 20s, I think, Oh my God, I love them, and I'll do anything for them. I can't wait for Fire and Ash [and] to share it with the world, because it almost killed me. Shooting that scene at the end of The Way of Water was so difficult, but shooting Neytiri and Jake forcing themselves to get up and move on, and be there for their surviving children, was the hardest thing. It teaches you a lot about what it must be like as a parent, as a guardian. How do you also stay together, and how do you let love win once again after experiencing that kind of loss? It's the most complex thing. We're born, and I feel like the biggest growth in life is just learning how to die. Every living organism meets their demise, and I feel like a lot of our lives has to be spent accepting it. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Metro
07-05-2025
- Metro
I visited Lake Como and the Italian Riviera — one shines brighter than the other
Ah, Italy. Home of pasta, leaning towers and some of the world's best beaches. There are hundreds of reasons why La Dolce Vita is at the top of almost everyone's bucket list. But with a rich tapestry of destinations boasting an abundance of culture and cuisine, it can be difficult to choose only one. Dozens of Reddit threads are devoted to this conundrum. One of the most popular queries is whether to head for Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, or Lake Como, an upscale resort in the northern region. I stayed at hotels in both to find out where you should spend your time and money sipping limoncello this summer — here is my honest review. Putting two iconic destinations head to head in a Gladiator-esque battle required strict rules of engagement. I needed to stay at hotels of similar standard (both are part of the same R Collection group), and choose activities that could be fairly compared. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. In Lake Como, I checked in to the Grand Hotel Victoria, an imposing lakeside building built in 1890 in Menaggio, an ancient town on the lake's western shore. There are modern interiors and a traditional facade, with polished marble floors and chandeliers decorating the pristine white lobby. On the ground floor is a high-end cocktail bar that serves a Rossini, a prosecco and a fresh strawberry drink that puts Bucks Fizz to shame. Like all luxury hotels in the Como area, the bedroom was spectacular, complete with cotton sheets of a higher thread count than any I've ever slept in, plus a dressing room and a bathroom with the best rainfall shower I've ever experienced. Elegant touches such as a fruit basket and a bouquet of fresh flowers would usually be the first thing I'd gravitate towards. But instead, the massive Juliet balconies had me hooked. The view is the hotel's USP. The price per room is not cheap (standard rooms from £580 in low season, and from an eye-watering £1,078 in high season), but given the location and high-end comforts, in this part of the world it's par for the course. On-site are a range of activities, including cookery classes hosted by friendly staff who managed to teach me how to make fresh pesto and tiramisu, all while sipping on prosecco. No mean feat for someone who once set fire to frozen chicken in a microwave. The hotel has one of the most elegant spas I've seen, with treatments aimed at destressing different parts of your body. A full-body oil massage was the perfect way to untie every knot, and a walk through the reflexology-inspired shower trail with alternating temperatures really got my blood pumping. Outside is a beach club, with private cabanas and sun loungers surrounding a large pool overlooking the lake. Beyond the resort walls, Menaggio is a good base for exploring Como. Characterised by winding narrow streets, the town is less touristy than neighbouring Bellagio or Varenna, both a short boat ride across the water. Menaggio is home to an abundance of swanky restaurants. Local hotspot Darsena serves some of the best pasta I've ever eaten. For lunch, a plate of fresh pasta and wild boar ragu will set you back about £17, much the same as London prices. Check the menu before you sit down, though: in high season, an Aperol Spritz in a central location could force you to remortgage your flat. From the hotel, dozens of shops and bars are within walking distance, as well as ferry boats travelling across the lake to Varenna, a viral Instagram location. One of the most deluged spots is The Hotel Cipressi, where an attractive entranceway known as the 'gates of heaven' draws hordes of influencers each day. Lake Como has never been a hidden gem, but overtourism has intensified in recent years. In April 2024, a tourist tax charging day-trippers a 5 euro entry fee was rolled out. Officials said the tax was designed to reduce overcrowding at peak times, and came in addition to city taxes for overnight stays. I visited in October, at the tail end of the season, which meant many streets were deserted. It's worth planning a trip for the shoulder seasons if you want peace and quiet. Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa: 9/10 Rested and rejuvenated from my time on the lake, I headed three hours south to Portofino, a trendy fishing village in Genoa that's regularly referred to as Italy's most beautiful destination. My digs here were the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, a maximalist powder pink mansion that looks a lot like The Grand Budapest Hotel. The hotel has been designed so that nearly every room has an unobstructed view of the sea. More casual than its glitzy Lake Como counterpart, the Bristol reminded me of a seaside hotel you might find in Brighton. Lovely, but not high-end. The rooms were attractive but simple, with a blue and yellow colour scheme and a bathroom with wooden fixtures. Nothing too flashy, and the price is reflective of that; standard rooms start from £193 in low season, rising to £354 in high season. Set on a hill and with only two small lifts in the building, the hotel is not accessible. It has a spacious veranda for al fresco dining, cocktails and breakfast in the sun, as well as a rooftop fine dining restaurant called Le Cupole with sweeping ocean views. A fun (if a bit kitsch) touch is the Campari-inspired bar, with bold red leather couches and huge abstract paintings. A spa on the lower levels has a huge outdoor pool that's a great place to cosy up with a book. The hotel also has a tiny art gallery that's open to the public and promotes the work of local artists. Beyond the resort, Portofino is a short car ride or ferry boat away. It's easy to get into the town, where hotel prices are a lot more expensive. Exploring the town, I enjoyed a cappuccino at the Dolce and Gabbana shop, then ate an excellent lunch at Ristorante Da I Gemelli. The sole in butter and 'Grandmother's pasta' were standouts, but they don't come cheap. When I visited last year, a bowl of fish soup was an eye-watering £34. For the best view in town, head to Castello Brown, the fortress of San Giorgio, high on the cliffside. The panorama is beautiful, but like everything in Portofino, it will cost you. (£4.25 in low season and £6.80 in high.) Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa: 7/10 Looking back, my fondest memories are all in Lake Como. The hotel was swankier, but with sky-high prices in both destinations, it also felt better value for money. The sea views in Portofino and Rapallo were stunning, but Como had the edge (my incessant Instagram posting acts as testimony). There's plenty to do in both, but Menaggio had more variety, and it felt like normal life was going on there — less a faux bubble of luxury tourism. In Como, too, expensive drinks were accompanied by proper aperitivi of crisps, olives, and sometimes even arancini. In Portofino, the drinks were just as pricey without the 'free' snacks on the side. More Trending If you're debating between the two, opt for Lake Como. It's larger, has more to explore, and is more upfront about the designer price tag that it proudly wears. Laura Harman was a guest of R Collection. Rooms at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como start from £580 in low season, and from £1,078 in high season. At the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, rooms start from £192 in low season, rising to £353 in high season. MORE: Venice's food is tasteless, but I know a European city that does it right MORE: The 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem that costs £40 to fly to MORE: Who could be the next Pope? Conclave to name Francis' successor begins at Vatican
Metro
06-05-2025
- Metro
I visited Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast — one shines brighter than the other
Ah, Italy. Home of pasta, leaning towers and some of the world's best beaches. There are hundreds of reasons why La Dolce Vita is at the top of almost everyone's bucket list. But with a rich tapestry of destinations boasting an abundance of culture and cuisine, it can be difficult to choose only one. Dozens of Reddit threads are devoted to this conundrum. One of the most popular queries is whether to head for Portofino, in the Italian Riviera, or Lake Como, an upscale resort in the northern region. I stayed at hotels in both to find out where you should spend your time and money sipping limoncello this summer — here is my honest review. Putting two iconic destinations head to head in a Gladiator-esque battle required strict rules of engagement. I needed to stay at hotels of similar standard (both are part of the same R Collection group), and choose activities that could be fairly compared. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. In Lake Como, I checked in to the Grand Hotel Victoria, an imposing lakeside building built in 1890 in Menaggio, an ancient town on the lake's western shore. There are modern interiors and a traditional facade, with polished marble floors and chandeliers decorating the pristine white lobby. On the ground floor is a high-end cocktail bar that serves a Rossini, a prosecco and a fresh strawberry drink that puts Bucks Fizz to shame. Like all luxury hotels in the Como area, the bedroom was spectacular, complete with cotton sheets of a higher thread count than any I've ever slept in, plus a dressing room and a bathroom with the best rainfall shower I've ever experienced. Elegant touches such as a fruit basket and a bouquet of fresh flowers would usually be the first thing I'd gravitate towards. But instead, the massive Juliet balconies had me hooked. The view is the hotel's USP. The price per room is not cheap (standard rooms from £580 in low season, and from an eye-watering £1,078 in high season), but given the location and high-end comforts, in this part of the world it's par for the course. On-site are a range of activities, including cookery classes hosted by friendly staff who managed to teach me how to make fresh pesto and tiramisu, all while sipping on prosecco. No mean feat for someone who once set fire to frozen chicken in a microwave. The hotel has one of the most elegant spas I've seen, with treatments aimed at destressing different parts of your body. A full-body oil massage was the perfect way to untie every knot, and a walk through the reflexology-inspired shower trail with alternating temperatures really got my blood pumping. Outside is a beach club, with private cabanas and sun loungers surrounding a large pool overlooking the lake. Beyond the resort walls, Menaggio is a good base for exploring Como. Characterised by winding narrow streets, the town is less touristy than neighbouring Bellagio or Varenna, both a short boat ride across the water. Menaggio is home to an abundance of swanky restaurants. Local hotspot Darsena serves some of the best pasta I've ever eaten. For lunch, a plate of fresh pasta and wild boar ragu will set you back about £17, much the same as London prices. Check the menu before you sit down, though: in high season, an Aperol Spritz in a central location could force you to remortgage your flat. From the hotel, dozens of shops and bars are within walking distance, as well as ferry boats travelling across the lake to Varenna, a viral Instagram location. One of the most deluged spots is The Hotel Cipressi, where an attractive entranceway known as the 'gates of heaven' draws hordes of influencers each day. Lake Como has never been a hidden gem, but overtourism has intensified in recent years. In April 2024, a tourist tax charging day-trippers a 5 euro entry fee was rolled out. Officials said the tax was designed to reduce overcrowding at peak times, and came in addition to city taxes for overnight stays. I visited in October, at the tail end of the season, which meant many streets were deserted. It's worth planning a trip for the shoulder seasons if you want peace and quiet. Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa: 9/10 Rested and rejuvenated from my time on the lake, I headed three hours south to Portofino, a trendy fishing village in Genoa that's regularly referred to as Italy's most beautiful destination. My digs here were the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, a maximalist powder pink mansion that looks a lot like The Grand Budapest Hotel. The hotel has been designed so that nearly every room has an unobstructed view of the sea. More casual than its glitzy Lake Como counterpart, the Bristol reminded me of a seaside hotel you might find in Brighton. Lovely, but not high-end. The rooms were attractive but simple, with a blue and yellow colour scheme and a bathroom with wooden fixtures. Nothing too flashy, and the price is reflective of that; standard rooms start from £193 in low season, rising to £354 in high season. Set on a hill and with only two small lifts in the building, the hotel is not accessible. It has a spacious veranda for al fresco dining, cocktails and breakfast in the sun, as well as a rooftop fine dining restaurant called Le Cupole with sweeping ocean views. A fun (if a bit kitsch) touch is the Campari-inspired bar, with bold red leather couches and huge abstract paintings. A spa on the lower levels has a huge outdoor pool that's a great place to cosy up with a book. The hotel also has a tiny art gallery that's open to the public and promotes the work of local artists. Beyond the resort, Portofino is a short car ride or ferry boat away. It's easy to get into the town, where hotel prices are a lot more expensive. Exploring the town, I enjoyed a cappuccino at the Dolce and Gabbana shop, then ate an excellent lunch at Ristorante Da I Gemelli. The sole in butter and 'Grandmother's pasta' were standouts, but they don't come cheap. When I visited last year, a bowl of fish soup was an eye-watering £34. For the best view in town, head to Castello Brown, the fortress of San Giorgio, high on the cliffside. The panorama is beautiful, but like everything in Portofino, it will cost you. (£4.25 in low season and £6.80 in high.) Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa: 7/10 Looking back, my fondest memories are all in Lake Como. The hotel was swankier, but with sky-high prices in both destinations, it also felt better value for money. The sea views in Portofino and Rapallo were stunning, but Como had the edge (my incessant Instagram posting acts as testimony). There's plenty to do in both, but Menaggio had more variety, and it felt like normal life was going on there – less a faux bubble of luxury tourism. In Como, too, expensive drinks were accompanied with proper aperitivi of crisps, olives and sometimes even arancini. In Portofino, the drinks were just as pricey without the 'free' snacks on the side. More Trending If you're debating between the two, opt for Lake Como. It's larger, has more to explore, and is more upfront about the designer price tag that it proudly wears. Laura Harman was a guest of R Collection. Rooms at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como start from £580 in low season, and from £1,078 in high season. At the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, rooms start from £192 in low season, rising to £353 in high season. MORE: The 5 best lesser-known Spain destinations that tourists hardly ever visit MORE: New direct train links European capital city with 3 'stunning' destinations for first time MORE: Thousands of train passengers stranded in Spain days after massive blackouts
Metro
03-05-2025
- Metro
Amalfi Coast or Como? I put Italy's swankiest destinations to the test
Ah, Italy. Home of pasta, leaning towers and some of the world's best beaches. There are hundreds of reasons why La Dolce Vita is at the top of almost everyone's bucket list. But with a rich tapestry of destinations boasting an abundance of culture and cuisine, it can be difficult to choose only one. Dozens of Reddit threads are devoted to this conundrum. One of the most popular queries is whether to head for Portofino, on the Amalfi Coast, or Lake Como, an upscale resort in the northern region. I stayed at hotels in both to find out where you should spend your time and money sipping limoncello this summer — here is my honest review. Putting two iconic destinations head to head in a Gladiator-esque battle required strict rules of engagement. I needed to stay at hotels of similar standard (both are part of the same R Collection group), and choose activities that could be fairly compared. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. In Lake Como, I checked in to the Grand Hotel Victoria, an imposing lakeside building built in 1890 in Menaggio, an ancient town on the lake's western shore. There are modern interiors and a traditional facade, with polished marble floors and chandeliers decorating the pristine white lobby. On the ground floor is a high-end cocktail bar that serves a Rossini, a prosecco and a fresh strawberry drink that puts Bucks Fizz to shame. Like all luxury hotels in the Como area, the bedroom was spectacular, complete with cotton sheets of a higher thread count than any I've ever slept in, plus a dressing room and a bathroom with the best rainfall shower I've ever experienced. Elegant touches such as a fruit basket and a bouquet of fresh flowers would usually be the first thing I'd gravitate towards. But instead, the massive Juliet balconies had me hooked. The view is the hotel's USP. The price per room is not cheap (standard rooms from £580 in low season, and from an eye-watering £1,078 in high season), but given the location and high-end comforts, in this part of the world it's par for the course. On-site are a range of activities, including cookery classes hosted by friendly staff who managed to teach me how to make fresh pesto and tiramisu, all while sipping on prosecco. No mean feat for someone who once set fire to frozen chicken in a microwave. The hotel has one of the most elegant spas I've seen, with treatments aimed at destressing different parts of your body. A full-body oil massage was the perfect way to untie every knot, and a walk through the reflexology-inspired shower trail with alternating temperatures really got my blood pumping. Outside is a beach club, with private cabanas and sun loungers surrounding a large pool overlooking the lake. Beyond the resort walls, Menaggio is a good base for exploring Como. Characterised by winding narrow streets, the town is less touristy than neighbouring Bellagio or Varenna, both a short boat ride across the water. Menaggio is home to an abundance of swanky restaurants. Local hotspot Darsena serves some of the best pasta I've ever eaten. For lunch, a plate of fresh pasta and wild boar ragu will set you back about £17, much the same as London prices. Check the menu before you sit down, though: in high season, an Aperol Spritz in a central location could force you to remortgage your flat. From the hotel, dozens of shops and bars are within walking distance, as well as ferry boats travelling across the lake to Varenna, a viral Instagram location. One of the most deluged spots is The Hotel Cipressi, where an attractive entranceway known as the 'gates of heaven' draws hordes of influencers each day. Lake Como has never been a hidden gem, but overtourism has intensified in recent years. In April 2024, a tourist tax charging day-trippers a 5 euro entry fee was rolled out. Officials said the tax was designed to reduce overcrowding at peak times, and came in addition to city taxes for overnight stays. I visited in October, at the tail end of the season, which meant many streets were deserted. It's worth planning a trip for the shoulder seasons if you want peace and quiet. Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa: 9/10 Rested and rejuvenated from my time on the lake, I headed three hours south to Portofino, a trendy fishing village on the Amalfi Coast that's regularly referred to as Italy's most beautiful destination. My digs here were the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, a maximalist powder pink mansion that looks a lot like The Grand Budapest Hotel. The hotel has been designed so that nearly every room has an unobstructed view of the sea. More casual than its glitzy Lake Como counterpart, the Bristol reminded me of a seaside hotel you might find in Brighton. Lovely, but not high-end. The rooms were attractive but simple, with a blue and yellow colour scheme and a bathroom with wooden fixtures. Nothing too flashy, and the price is reflective of that; standard rooms start from £193 in low season, rising to £354 in high season. Set on a hill and with only two small lifts in the building, the hotel is not accessible. It has a spacious veranda for al fresco dining, cocktails and breakfast in the sun, as well as a rooftop fine dining restaurant called Le Cupole with sweeping ocean views. A fun (if a bit kitsch) touch is the Campari-inspired bar, with bold red leather couches and huge abstract paintings. A spa on the lower levels has a huge outdoor pool that's a great place to cosy up with a book. The hotel also has a tiny art gallery that's open to the public and promotes the work of local artists. Beyond the resort, Portofino is a short car ride or ferry boat away. It's easy to get into the town, where hotel prices are a lot more expensive. Exploring the town, I enjoyed a cappuccino at the Dolce and Gabbana shop, then ate an excellent lunch at Ristorante Da I Gemelli. The sole in butter and 'Grandmother's pasta' were standouts, but they don't come cheap. When I visited last year, a bowl of fish soup was an eye-watering £34. For the best view in town, head to Castello Brown, the fortress of San Giorgio, high on the cliffside. The panorama is beautiful, but like everything in Portofino, it will cost you. (£4.25 in low season and £6.80 in high.) Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa: 7/10 Looking back, my fondest memories are all in Lake Como. The hotel was swankier, but with sky-high prices in both destinations, it also felt better value for money. The sea views in Portofino and Rapallo were stunning, but Como had the edge (my incessant Instagram posting acts as testimony). There's plenty to do in both, but Menaggio had more variety, and it felt like normal life was going on there – less a faux bubble of luxury tourism. In Como, too, expensive drinks were accompanied with proper aperitivi of crisps, olives and sometimes even arancini. In Portofino, the drinks were just as pricey without the 'free' snacks on the side. More Trending If you're debating between the two, opt for Lake Como. It's larger, has more to explore, and is more upfront about the designer price tag that it proudly wears. Laura Harman was a guest of R Collection. Rooms at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como start from £580 in low season, and from £1,078 in high season. At the Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort in Rapallo, rooms start from £192 in low season, rising to £353 in high season. MORE: Overlooked but 'remarkable' Spanish gem has just got new UK flights MORE: The 'Rome of Portugal' is a lesser-visited gem that's 20°C in May MORE: Missed out on Glastonbury tickets? Here's 5 'hidden gem' festivals you've probably never heard of
