Photos by Phillip N. Wheat. Text by Everett Potter.

Lake Como stands alone among the Italian lakes, 29 miles of waterway sheltered by forested mountains and lined with period villas that were the stage sets for literary and operatic history. I’m lucky to be there several times a year with National Geographic Expeditions when I lecture on an amazing trip called Swiss Trains & the Italian Lake District. We start in Zurich, and then head to Zermatt, St. Moritz, Pochiavo and Lake Como. Most of the travel is by train, and there’s plenty of time for hiking.

On a trip this summer, I was fortunate to have photographer Phil Wheat along. Here’s his selection of photos of Lake Como. If you missed his photos of Zermatt, you can see them here.

Phillip N Wheat, DDS, MS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, was in private practice and an associate professor at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois for 38 years.  He now resides in Naples Florida with his wife, Pat, and enjoys nature photography, travel and sports.