Sep 23, 2012 - In Varenna

Breakfast on the terrace overlooking a cloudy hazy but lovely lake and mountain view. About 10:10 we set out to see this tiny village. Found the tourist center where they gave us lots of brochures and a map of local sights. We decided to take the 11:23 mid-lake ferry to see more of the lake and villages near us. A young man came up to us while we were standing in the ticket line and asked if we spoke English. He then gave us 2 passes good for a free ride on the ferry today! (He and his wife were leaving town and wanted someone to be able to...

Sep 22, 2012 - To Varenna, Italy

After our last breakfast of this tour we got ourselves packed up and ready to meet our 9:10 taxi to the Nice train station. Only a short ride (5 min.) that cost 7 euro; actually got there too soon and had to wait to learn the platform number for our train. Got on the train to find none of our luggage would fit the overhead rack and had to pile it all on two empty seats that never were needed, thank goodness. We arrived in Ventemiglie and made the connection to Milano Centrale to find we'd be sitting in a compartment with 6 seats (3 facing...

May 4, 2012 - Varenna, Bellagio, Villa Carlotta and Menaggio

Queenslander arranged for a private local tour guide on our second day in the Lake Como region. This was a wonderful treat. She tailored our trip to our interests and we were never rushed onto another location as we saw in other large groups. Allesandra lives in the town of Como and was a wealth of information and fun to boot. We learned all about the history and politics of the region while touring the beautiful towns of Bellagio and Tremezzo, both on the shores of the lake, Bellagio has been visited by the rich and poweful since the...

May 3, 2012 - Arrival day, Milan to Varenna

We flew into Milan with sunny skies and a gorgeous view of the snow covered Alps. Magnifico! Queenslander arranged for a private car transfer to our 1st destination, Varenna on the shores of Lake Como. You know those guys you see at airports holding up signs meeting arriving passengers? Well, we are now one of those people. And it's good to be one of those people. "Michael" led us to a black Mercedes Benz and whisked, I mean drove like Mario Andretti through the outskirts of Milan and north to Lake Como. He kept us entertained with...

Apr 20, 2012 - Enjoying Varenna

Well at least it is not raining today. We still have overcast skies and cool temperatures (in the 50s) but it isn’t wet. But we weren’t in a hurry to get out. Around 11 we started walking down the road to the square, exploring some of the shops on the way. Then we found our way down to the Passarella, a walkway right along the lake . Susan stopped for awhile at Riva, a clothes store, and found some very pretty clothes but remained strong in light of the fact that we are traveling in only one suitcase each. We don’t have room for a lot of...

Apr 19, 2012 - From Milan to Varenna

We had a big day yesterday. Both Susan and I have “fitbits”—electronic devices that record our steps, stairs climbed, and calories expended. Yesterday we exceeded all previous days for walking and steps climbed. And we felt it this morning. I had had a slight urge to get up and go to a museum featuring Leonardo DaVinci sketches and inventions, but when I first woke up this morning I convinced myself that I had already seen enough and we should just get ready to go to Lake Como. Then I went back to sleep. We got up just in time to get...

Apr 15, 2012 - Lake Como, Italy

With the weather starting to warm up in April we decided to take a trip to Northern Italy with our friends Craig and Meghan from York. We found cheap air fare to Milan which was a great jumping off point to head up to Lake Como for a long weekend. We booked a great lake front apartment in a town called Varenna and to our surprise our apartment not only came with amazing lake views but also was right next to the Fiumalatte waterfall. Once we got settled in we went into our small lakeside town which is part of the golden triangle of Lake...

Oct 4, 2010 - Varenna, Lake Como, Italy

Monday, October 4, 2010. Our weather continues to deteriorate. We started with overcast skies and clouds hanging below the huge mountains across the lake then turning to rain. But we ventured out to shop for groceries regardless and put about 50 miles on the car looking for a decent sized market. This area is so mountainous that for about half those miles we were on the Autostrade SS36 driving through the longest tunnels we’ve ever been in. Betty said if she saw one more tunnel she was going to jump ship. So the return drive was slower...

Oct 3, 2010 - Varenna, Lake Como, Italy

Friday, October 1, 2010. We left Lill’s house in Randolph, MA by taxi in a pouring rain to get to Logan Airport in Boston. Our flight to Milan, Italy was scheduled for 9:40 pm on Swiss Air. Being the dutiful travelers we arrived at the prescribed 3 hours prior to flight time. Being Swiss, the plane backed from the gate at precisely 9:40pm. The economy seating was the typical cattle call arrangement; it is impossible for the airlines to squeeze us one more fraction of an inch without making it a kiddy flight. On the other hand, an hour after...

Jun 5, 2010 - Lake Como ...Last days :(

Are last two days in Lake Como. What a perfect place to end the trip. We have been looking for George Cloney but no luck so far (Eva is very sad). But the warm weather, blue sky and green water make up for it. We have seen all the little towns here and have some great meals. Our inn keeper so such a nice old man. Today (Saturday) it is back to Milan then a morning flight to JFK Sunday. See you all back in California. We will bore you with our 400 photos!

Sep 7, 2009 - Around Varenna

This day began with a hike up to the castle above Varenna. The local map showed what looked to be a road up the hill, but turned out to be nothing more than a path at times. The view was worth the long hike. On the way down we stopped at the Villa Montesaro next to our hotel to see their beautiful gardens. The day ended with a boat tour of the lake area near Varenna. Bellisimo! We are off to Cinque Terre and as you are just reading this now you may realize that no internet access was available in Cinque Terre so the updates are coming as...

Sep 5, 2009 - varenna

Hey we are here - finally!!!! It took us forever to get here - The 9 hour flight to London was actually not bad - unlimitied movies, good food (on an airplane?), and not any sleep. The good thing was Mike's bet paid off - we booked the aisle and window seats and the middle stayed empty so we could stretch out a bit. A three hour layover at Heathrow, a quick two-hour flight to Milan - and then the fun began. The 50-minute bus ride from the airport to the city actually took over 2 hours (they have Friday afternoon traffic in Milan, too!). We...