A place carefully designed to accommodate all types of customers: couples, friends, singles, and families with children of all ages. Whichever category you fit in, you will feel welcomed and will have the experience tailored-made for you and your needs. Be it spending time in nature, sports, well-being, culinary indulgence, or simply having a place to retreat from the hectic routine - in all senses, a "second-home" feeling.

THE RESORT

The Parco San Marco resort is surrounded by breathtaking nature, with its back to a rocky peak, it faces the Lago di Lugano, and from afar you can see the cute little town of Porlezza at the lakeshore. Porlezza is only 5minutes away from the hotel with the car or also reachable by boat.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to explore everything. But the "Passeggiata dell'Amore", located right behind the hotel, Cima, Cascate Di Begna and the Greenway at the lake of Como were a few of the destinations I have visited. The tour to the Lago di Piano, Grotte di Rescia Menaggio, Bellagio, and hopefully some rocky peaks, will have to stay undone until a next visit.

SPORTS & WELL-BEING

Sports include biking, hiking and water sports. The rental of bikes or any water sports-related gear is available in the premises of the hotel (water ski, scuba diving, SUPs, boat tours, and others). Also here more time would be needed (especially summertime) to explore.

Two pools, tennis court, beach volleyball, clubs for kids of all ages are a few of the other options for leisure.

In the evening or for those rainy days, the extent massage offer and spa will bring you to a whole other level o relaxation. This all not to mention the food.

FOOD

Ah, the food... As many of you might know, I am a lover of culinary experiences and (good) food, accompanied by, of course, local wine. There are mainly three restaurants here, each with their own unique promise.

La Veranda is where breakfast and dinner are served every day.

Breakfast, a rich buffet with everything you can imagine. The kind that you could spend hours sitting, eating and drinking. Every morning I had to go focused, so I didn't get distracted and pampered myself excessively every morning (even so, I confess I did gain a few extra pounds while staying here).

One of the things I've only tried towards the end but should have gone for since the beginning is their polenta. I was accustomed to seeing polenta only for lunch or dinner, but never for breakfast. So I hesitated until almost the last day. The learning of it? Try something in the beginning, because if you like it, you can enjoy it throughout.

At night, a new Menu awaits you every day (yes, you've read it right, a new menu EVERY SINGLE DAY). Quite impressive, in my opinion. A month here and I had the chance to try out so many different dishes - all depending on seasonality and availability of the products. A lot of imagination and planning flowing in there...

Another curious point that caught my attention is the fact that the restaurant is divided into segments. Families with kids up to 6 years have a designated area where running around is allowed, for families with kids above six years old a different section is offered, where the entertainment still remains but for an older generation. And as for the visitors without Bambini, an exclusive area (Joie de Vivre) is reserved, where no children are allowed - a more gourmet environment. Another hint on an excellent job at covering all demographics.

La Masseria Mediterranean Grill, the name says it all, focuses on grilled dishes. With meat and fish being the best promises of the menu, but vegetarian options also exist. The salmon with the (real Italian) caponata as a side dish was my go-to. Valerio and his team will do magic in the kitchen, while Tsvetan will bring you your dish with his welcoming smile.

And last but not least, the La Musa Restaurant - offering not only dining but a full experience of senses. You can read more about this inspiring restaurant in a post I've done a few weeks back with all insights and knowledge gained while photographing.

The food in all restaurants, of course, always accompanies an extensive list of wine. Before dinner, an apéro at the bar is guaranteed, with drinks and snacks. A coffee or digestive after the gastronomic intake should also not be ignored.

In summer there is also the option of having a pizza by the beach, ice cream at the fun pool or a drink in any of the locations.

All in all, a 360 offer for all tastes and moods.

PEOPLE

The Parco San Marco personnel is always friendly and strives to give you the best possible vacation. During my stay, I was lucky enough to have had more personal contact with the majority of the staff and get to know them personally. Coming from different backgrounds, with unique stories to tell, they are inspiring individuals that taught me so much.

A hotel in such magnitude and excellence must not be easy to run. I respect and admire the ones making it happen.

The local motto "Come as a guest. Leave as friends!" is not only a selling pitch but one actually lived by. I would even expand it and say that I am leaving feeling, not only as a friend but as part of a big family.

Below a few of the visual impressions (really just a few…)