I arrive at Villa d’Este in the early morning in late November, when Lake Como is at its calmest, its waters reflecting the surrounding mountains, villas, and gardens. The property sits directly on the lake, its traditional architecture unchanged for centuries, framed by peaks and meticulously manicured grounds. Located in Cernobbio, Villa d’Este has long drawn VIPs and celebrities from the worlds of cinema, art, and high society. Villa d’Este began life in 1568 as Villa Garrovo, a lakeside retreat for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, designed by architect Pellegrino Pellegrini. Add its floating pool, the first in Como, I might add, sun terraces, and endless lakeside vistas, and Villa d’Este is the picture-perfect vision of Lake Como, capturing its quintessential elegance and enduring charm.