Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 3 (Thursday)
Today we took a trip on the famous Lake Como to see the sights (Including of course George Clooney’s villa -- no personal sightings however). First however we went to a beautiful Villa that had some of the most incredible gardens. The azaleas were at the least 8 feet tall and camellia bushes the size of 2 story houses. We saw some wonderful art as the original owner was trying hard to impress all because he wanted Napoleon Bonaparte to name him the first president of Italy, but alas it was not so as the man across the lake in Bellagio must have impressed him more. Como itself is a busy city with 90,000 inhabitants. The city obviously has some very old sections and many cobblestone roads. It was fun to walk along thinking that the same stones had been walked on in 1200. We took the Funicula to the top of the mountain over Como to look out aat the view. Sadly, the weather had clouded up and the views were not as spectacular as they could have been, but still was loads of fun. Dinner tonight was in a small water side restaurant in the small fishing village below our hotel. It is the only restaurant down in this area and no wonder. Although the food and the ambiance is unmatched, and the tourists were few there is a reason. The pathway (steps) going back up to the street was straight uphill, dark twisting and at least 250 yards. After a bottle of Tocai Fruillano (wonderful new white wine find) and a full dinner . . . . . . .
Today we took a trip on the famous Lake Como to see the sights (Including of course George Clooney’s villa -- no personal sightings however). First however we went to a beautiful Villa that had some of the most incredible gardens. The azaleas were at the least 8 feet tall and camellia bushes the size of 2 story houses. We saw some wonderful art as the original owner was trying hard to impress all because he wanted Napoleon Bonaparte to name him the first president of Italy, but alas it was not so as the man across the lake in Bellagio must have impressed him more. Como itself is a busy city with 90,000 inhabitants. The city obviously has some very old sections and many cobblestone roads. It was fun to walk along thinking that the same stones had been walked on in 1200. We took the Funicula to the top of the mountain over Como to look out aat the view. Sadly, the weather had clouded up and the views were not as spectacular as they could have been, but still was loads of fun. Dinner tonight was in a small water side restaurant in the small fishing village below our hotel. It is the only restaurant down in this area and no wonder. Although the food and the ambiance is unmatched, and the tourists were few there is a reason. The pathway (steps) going back up to the street was straight uphill, dark twisting and at least 250 yards. After a bottle of Tocai Fruillano (wonderful new white wine find) and a full dinner . . . . . . .
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day 2
This AM we had a walking tour of Bellagio with Rita, a wonderful enthusiastic woman n, who not only knew the local area but also knew history, horticulture, architecture. Another beautiful day, blue skies and a great breeze. Diana and I took a boat to Varenna across the lake from our town. It is a “fishing” village, but as today is a holiday (the Bank Holiday) there were a lot of tourists in this quaint village. We left the town rapidly and started walking uphill, uphill, uphill. . . . (note the slowdown)…uphill to the castle atop the town. We had great views and toured around the castle. Diana decided that we should try to find a different way down the mountain – well we found the goat path and Heidi and Diana and I came down the mountain along the edges of the hillside---- singing to the goats. Found a great bottle of Proseco for evening imbibing. Tonight there was a wonderful sunset, the sun was shining on the distant mountains where there is still snow peaking out of the coulars. As the sun does not set until about 9:30, we stayed in the room taking photos until the last moment. Then dinner, thank goodness as we were getting a little intoxicated. Went up the street to a small family restaurant for a typical Italian, low key dinner. Am struggling with my blog as I can’t seem to get the photos to sync with the program. I will continue to work on it.
This AM we had a walking tour of Bellagio with Rita, a wonderful enthusiastic woman n, who not only knew the local area but also knew history, horticulture, architecture. Another beautiful day, blue skies and a great breeze. Diana and I took a boat to Varenna across the lake from our town. It is a “fishing” village, but as today is a holiday (the Bank Holiday) there were a lot of tourists in this quaint village. We left the town rapidly and started walking uphill, uphill, uphill. . . . (note the slowdown)…uphill to the castle atop the town. We had great views and toured around the castle. Diana decided that we should try to find a different way down the mountain – well we found the goat path and Heidi and Diana and I came down the mountain along the edges of the hillside---- singing to the goats. Found a great bottle of Proseco for evening imbibing. Tonight there was a wonderful sunset, the sun was shining on the distant mountains where there is still snow peaking out of the coulars. As the sun does not set until about 9:30, we stayed in the room taking photos until the last moment. Then dinner, thank goodness as we were getting a little intoxicated. Went up the street to a small family restaurant for a typical Italian, low key dinner. Am struggling with my blog as I can’t seem to get the photos to sync with the program. I will continue to work on it.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
day 1 Bellagio Italy
Day 1 – Travel Day
Diana and I flew this AM from Richmond to Boston where we met our friend Leslie S., and sat for hours on end waiting for our flight to Amsterdam. Thanks to our membership with our American Express card, we were able to spend the time sitting in the fancy lounge drinking wine and eating snacks (oink oink) albeit healthy snacks……(cheese and shortbread cookies). International flights uneventful, but of course uncomfortable. We arrived in Milan to beautiful morning blue sky and temps in the mid 70s. Diana’s luggage did not arrive; it stayed in Amsterdam and hopefully will not arrive until after noon tomorrow (our travel insurance will give her $100 to shop if the bags are delayed 24 hours). Bellagio is a beautiful little town on Lake Como. The lake is Y shaped and the town is located at the point of the land in the middle. It is surrounded by mountains with snow covered peaks in the distance. The ride in over the mountains was spectacular, lots of switchbacks, incredible views. Ate a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called BabaYago. Diana and Leslie S. had the thinnest crust pizza that was ever made. Leslie’s with arugula and Diana’s with pesto. I had pan seared fish which was incredible. We will sleep well tonight after being awake for so long. his is the view from our balcony looking up the lake. More tomorrow.
Diana and I flew this AM from Richmond to Boston where we met our friend Leslie S., and sat for hours on end waiting for our flight to Amsterdam. Thanks to our membership with our American Express card, we were able to spend the time sitting in the fancy lounge drinking wine and eating snacks (oink oink) albeit healthy snacks……(cheese and shortbread cookies). International flights uneventful, but of course uncomfortable. We arrived in Milan to beautiful morning blue sky and temps in the mid 70s. Diana’s luggage did not arrive; it stayed in Amsterdam and hopefully will not arrive until after noon tomorrow (our travel insurance will give her $100 to shop if the bags are delayed 24 hours). Bellagio is a beautiful little town on Lake Como. The lake is Y shaped and the town is located at the point of the land in the middle. It is surrounded by mountains with snow covered peaks in the distance. The ride in over the mountains was spectacular, lots of switchbacks, incredible views. Ate a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called BabaYago. Diana and Leslie S. had the thinnest crust pizza that was ever made. Leslie’s with arugula and Diana’s with pesto. I had pan seared fish which was incredible. We will sleep well tonight after being awake for so long. his is the view from our balcony looking up the lake. More tomorrow.
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