Get to know Bella Collina

The area around Bella Collina has been used agriculturally since Central Florida was settled. The geology is astounding, with beautiful hills reminiscent of Tuscany and large, lovely lakes nearby — in fact, the massive Lake Apopka laps on Bella Collina’s shores. While there were attempts at large-scale citrus farming in the area, the land is more suitable for Florida’s cattle and horse culture, and much of that remains in the area, physically manifested in large estates, mature trees, and a small-town attitude. Cattle ranches have mostly given way to the white fences of the horsey set, as well as to the large estate homes of Orlando’s movers and shakers who like a little room to stretch out. Bella Collina takes that attitude and wraps it around a golf course that takes advantage of the area’s natural beauty — and the rolling hills that are so rare in Florida. Residents venture forth for boating and fishing on the nearby lakes, as well as the manufactured entertainments the Orlando area is most famous for. There is luxury in Bella Collina, but there is also a wildness here, and water birds and some of Florida’s charismatic reptiles are very much at home in the area.

Though Bella Collina seems isolated, it’s not far from some major Central Florida thoroughfares, making it easy to get to some of the best dining the area has to offer. There are a variety of farm-to-table restaurants in nearby Winter Garden and Clermont, and haute establishments tucked in close to the other tony communities of the western Orlando area. As a tourist town, Orlando has big-name chefs helming signature restaurants as well as fantastic options at all price points, including a thriving selection of different cuisines. Bella Collina’s position near expressways (and away from clogged downtown arteries) can mean a shorter trip for a great reservation than you might expect. Nearby storybook towns like Mount Dora and Winter Garden offer great antiquing and art galleries, and street fairs and farmers markets take place more than weekly at any place two roads cross. Every conceivable retail chain has a storefront within a short drive, though big-name boutiques are a bit of a drive (note: most of those same big names have outlets in the area to cater to international tourists).