SOLANGE AZAGURY-PARTRIDGE'S LAKE COMO

Take a slow boat and enjoy gardens tumbling into the water, hotels straight out of the movies and an aperitivo in a butcher's shop, says the jewellery designer

- Hayley Spencer

GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS The pool at Passalacqua and, below, inside the hotel

Where is your favourite destination and why?

Lake Como. I like places where I can be myself. It has a calm, permanence and real natural beauty. My shoulders drop an inch as I arrive. It has its own steady, tranquil pace. Como doesn't try to impress you. It just does. It's naturally beautiful and calm. There's no need to make plans. It's the perfect "go with the flow" kind of location.

When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?

I was there a couple of years ago, in early summer, with my husband. It's my favourite time to go - warm enough to swim but the heat is still gentle. The lake hasn't yet filled with visitors, and the evenings stretch out. We didn't do much, which was exactly the point. Long walks, late lunches, reading and drifting around.

Where do you like to stay?

At Passalacqua. It's one of those places that doesn't feel like a hotel at all. A restored historical villa with grand rooms, beautiful light and gardens that drop towards the lake. You can sit for hours, hear nothing but the sound of the water and birdsong. It has a cinematic quality. Just like a movie set.

What has been your favourite meal?

Lunch at Trattoria del Porto, right by the lake. I had risotto with perch caught from the lake that morning. Nothing complicated - just clean flavours and good ingredients with a shared carafe of white wine. Lake Como is all about the food and views.

If you only had 24 hours, what would you do?