Accessible only by boat, La Casinella could easily masquerade as a private island retreat. Perched on a secluded peninsula on the western shores of Lake Como, this resplendent 19th century villa - guarded by a set of grand wrought-iron gates, huge cypress trees and ivy-wrapped stone pillars – is steeped in exclusivity and privacy, and widely regarded as one of the most sought-after villas on the lake.