As you stand on this home's balcony and gaze out onto the glistening water of Lake Como, you'll understand why so many artists have moved to this area over the years to seek inspiration. In fact, the Italian composer Gian Francesco Malipiero lived in this very apartment for a short time and there are a couple of nods to this illustrious former resident hanging on the wall, including a trumpet and some of his scores. It's a peaceful spot with a simple, rustic-inspired interior that lets the sensational views out the windows do the talking. The lakeside is easy enough to reach in ten minutes on foot, but the local area also offers fantastic hiking routes and restaurants in the town of Carate Urio.

Home truths:
*Although the ground-floor home itself is step-free, there are steps to reach the property from the car parks
*There are free parking spaces nearby, although the closest is 200 metres away from the front door
*There's a shop located a one-minute walk away