You’ll find this unique home in the heart of Como, a mere seven-minute walk from the eponymous lake. Once an ice house, the place has been transformed into a cosy apartment – we loved the mezzanine level with frosted glass floor and the comfy crescent sofa that complements the curves of the ancient walls. There’s a kitchenette for whipping up quick snacks, but if you’ve got a hankering for hearty Lombardy fare, you’re only footsteps from traditional osterie.

Spend afternoons navigating Como’s narrow cobbled streets, nipping in and out of artisanal boutiques before finding a spot by the water with an aperitvo. If you’re keen to explore further afield, catch the ferry to Bellagio – it’ll take around forty-four minutes – and stroll around the peaceful Villa Melzi gardens.

Home truths:
*You’ll check yourself in using a key box
*At full capacity, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living space
*The main bedroom is on a mezzanine level
*The kitchen is equipped for quick meals only
*Lugano Airport is 25.5 kilometres from the home
*The host can provide a baby cot and a high chair, at an extra cost.