But when it comes time for his convalescence, he still gets a luxury view: the stunning terraced gardens of Villa del Balbianello, an Italian villa on the western shore of Lake Como near the village of Lenno.

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With serene views of Lake Como, a warmer climate and fine-dining, it's certainly a deluxe version.

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Speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum on the banks of Lake Como, Beccalli-Falco told CNN that General Electric -- a multinational founded in 1892 -- is "making a lot of investments" in Germany.

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Born near Milan to a socialist truck driver and a devout housewife mother, he grew up in a small apartment in the town of Malgrate on Lake Como.

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He showed a strong will from an early age, once swimming across frigid Lake Como in the middle of winter.

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From Claridge's in London to the Villa d'Este on Lake Como, there is no shortage of elegant places to stay the world over.

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Or Barclays Wealth, which has seen its annual meeting at Lake Como dished up in the newspapers with the type of venom usually reserved for celebrity kiss-and-tells.

ECONOMIST: Business travel