Lake Como
What a great day!!!!! Of course, it started off raining but we have come to expect that now! 😉
We left on our bus this morning and travelled alongside Lake Como on a narrow winding road. We passed through gorgeous villages with huge houses and villas hugging the side of the mountain. Just the trip alone was very entertaining. We were thankful to have our very skilled driver, Giuseppe. At one point we met a semi coming around the corner and there was only room enough for one of us!! We had to back up quite a distance to allow the semi to pass by. Of course, there are impatient drivers here as well. A cube truck passed us on the right as we were backing up, only to get squeezed in to where he got wedged against the stone wall along the road. We heard the “scraaaaape” as he hit the wall. Someone commented that it was obviously a company truck that he was driving, as he didn’t seem to care. Eventually he got “unwedged” , the semi got past us and we carried on our way!!!
Even tough it was raining lightly, it was still very beautiful to travel along the lake. After about 45 minutes we arrived at the “Villa Carlotta”, a beautiful villa surrounded by lush botanic gardens. This villa was at one time a wedding gift from a very rich groom to his bride (hint, hint, Carl). The villa now houses beautiful statues and paintings. We toured the inside and went to walk through the gardens just as it really started to rain!, that didn’t stop us!!!!
Most importantly, it stopped raining as we finished our tour, as it was time to go on our boat tour on Lake Como. We travelled down the lake to see all of the lovely homes and villas from the lakeside. Now we really know how the rich people live!! Unfortunately, we did not pass by George Clooney’s house, as it was a long way down the lake from where we were.
Our boat cruise took us to Bellagio, a lovely village that clings to the side of the mountains with lovely, narrow stairways leading up to the shops and restaurants. Our pocketbooks didn’t take a hit as the shops were still closed for the season. We went to the Bellagio hotel for a delicious lunch. Amazingly, the mood on the boat after lunch was a lot more jolly. Hmmm..... I wonder if it had anything to do with the wine served with lunch??
The boat took us back across the lake to where our bus was waiting for us. We returned back down the same road to Como. The clouds were beginning to lift and we were starting to see some patches of blue sky!!
We had free time for the rest of the day. About half of the group joined Laura and we walked over to the Funicular. This is a cable car that takes us almost straight up to the top of the mountain. When we arrived at the top, we had a lovely view of the lake and surrounding towns. Then we saw a sign pointing to a lighthouse at the very top of the mountain, so we decided to hike up there. It was two kilometres uphill but everyone made it!!! By the time we got up there the sun was shining, it was a spectacular view and a spectacular feeling!!! We were so pleased that we took the challenge!! The walk down was much easier and we rode the funicular back down and returned to the hotel before it got dark. We were happy that we were able to walk off some of the calories that we took in for lunch!
Tonight, we are on our own for supper and most of us are planning to go nearby where we will just have a drink and an appetizer.
I apologize for not yet posting pictures. I think I have figured out my problem and I am hoping to get it resolved over the next few days. I am working hard on it, trust me. In the meantime, I promise to at least keep you posted on our adventures.
Ciao
We left on our bus this morning and travelled alongside Lake Como on a narrow winding road. We passed through gorgeous villages with huge houses and villas hugging the side of the mountain. Just the trip alone was very entertaining. We were thankful to have our very skilled driver, Giuseppe. At one point we met a semi coming around the corner and there was only room enough for one of us!! We had to back up quite a distance to allow the semi to pass by. Of course, there are impatient drivers here as well. A cube truck passed us on the right as we were backing up, only to get squeezed in to where he got wedged against the stone wall along the road. We heard the “scraaaaape” as he hit the wall. Someone commented that it was obviously a company truck that he was driving, as he didn’t seem to care. Eventually he got “unwedged” , the semi got past us and we carried on our way!!!
Even tough it was raining lightly, it was still very beautiful to travel along the lake. After about 45 minutes we arrived at the “Villa Carlotta”, a beautiful villa surrounded by lush botanic gardens. This villa was at one time a wedding gift from a very rich groom to his bride (hint, hint, Carl). The villa now houses beautiful statues and paintings. We toured the inside and went to walk through the gardens just as it really started to rain!, that didn’t stop us!!!!
Most importantly, it stopped raining as we finished our tour, as it was time to go on our boat tour on Lake Como. We travelled down the lake to see all of the lovely homes and villas from the lakeside. Now we really know how the rich people live!! Unfortunately, we did not pass by George Clooney’s house, as it was a long way down the lake from where we were.
Our boat cruise took us to Bellagio, a lovely village that clings to the side of the mountains with lovely, narrow stairways leading up to the shops and restaurants. Our pocketbooks didn’t take a hit as the shops were still closed for the season. We went to the Bellagio hotel for a delicious lunch. Amazingly, the mood on the boat after lunch was a lot more jolly. Hmmm..... I wonder if it had anything to do with the wine served with lunch??
The boat took us back across the lake to where our bus was waiting for us. We returned back down the same road to Como. The clouds were beginning to lift and we were starting to see some patches of blue sky!!
We had free time for the rest of the day. About half of the group joined Laura and we walked over to the Funicular. This is a cable car that takes us almost straight up to the top of the mountain. When we arrived at the top, we had a lovely view of the lake and surrounding towns. Then we saw a sign pointing to a lighthouse at the very top of the mountain, so we decided to hike up there. It was two kilometres uphill but everyone made it!!! By the time we got up there the sun was shining, it was a spectacular view and a spectacular feeling!!! We were so pleased that we took the challenge!! The walk down was much easier and we rode the funicular back down and returned to the hotel before it got dark. We were happy that we were able to walk off some of the calories that we took in for lunch!
Tonight, we are on our own for supper and most of us are planning to go nearby where we will just have a drink and an appetizer.
I apologize for not yet posting pictures. I think I have figured out my problem and I am hoping to get it resolved over the next few days. I am working hard on it, trust me. In the meantime, I promise to at least keep you posted on our adventures.
Ciao
Comments
Post a Comment