HAPPY HOUR WITH LAKE COMO VIEW? ONLY AT HOTEL PARADISO

There’s a moment in the day when everything slows down. The sun reflects on the water, the air becomes lighter, and the desire to treat yourself to something special arrives.

At Hotel Paradiso, this moment has a precise name: lakeview happy hour.

Our panoramic outdoor terrace directly overlooks the stunning Lake Como — the perfect setting to relax, sip a drink, and share a moment of pure well-being.

The undisputed star? The spritz, king of the Italian aperitif. To accompany it, a selection of savory finger foods carefully prepared by our restaurant MamaGina — authentic flavors and local ingredients to complete the experience.

A Bit of History: From Healing Ritual to Symbol of Socializing

But have you ever wondered how the aperitif was born?

The word "aperitivo" comes from the Latin aperitivus, meaning “to open,” or “to stimulate the appetite.” Hippocrates, one of the fathers of medicine, used bitter herb infusions to treat loss of appetite.

It’s from these bitter drinks that the aperitif tradition came to life. In German, the word bitter — still used for digestives and aperitifs — keeps this origin alive.

The shift from a healing drink to a social ritual happened in Turin, thanks to Antonio Benedetto Carpano, who in 1786 presented his famous vermouth to King Vittorio Emanuele II: a blend of moscato wine, herbs, and spices. This marked the beginning of a new era.

A few decades later, in Milan, Gaspare Campari opened the first bar in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and captivated everyone with his secret bitter — an aperitif icon still loved today.

Spritz: The Austrian Legend that Conquered Italy

And then there’s the spritz: the drink that today represents the ultimate aperitif.

Its origin is quite curious: during the Austro-Hungarian domination, soldiers would mix wine with sparkling water to make it lighter — and that’s how the “Spritz” was born, from the German spritzen, meaning “to spray.”

The version we love the most?

The classic one: white wine, bitter (Aperol or Campari), seltzer, and a slice of orange. Simple, fresh, and irresistible.

Experience Your Lake View Happy Hour at Hotel Paradiso

If you’re looking for the real aperitif on Lake Como, our terrace is the perfect spot.

Let the sun’s rays envelop you, settle into the natural scents around you, and let our staff pamper you: selected drinks, delicious appetizers, spectacular views, and a sense of well-being that only the Italian aperitif ritual can provide.

📍 Discover the Spritzeria at Hotel Paradiso

A corner of happiness to enjoy sip by sip.

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