Another day in Paradise..........

You know somewhere is special when you walk into the airline lounge and mention that you've been away for seven weeks and they ask where you been in all that time. So you rattle off Athens, Santorini, Northern Greece, Paris, Burgundy, Geneva, Venice, Milan and Bellagio. At the mention of Bellagio their faces come alive with knowing smiles.  Bellagio has just that sort of effect on people.

This small town situated on Lake Como and surrounded by mountains is for me - heaven. The fifty minute hydrofoil ride from Como takes you to a whole different world. Despite initial issues with our Internet booked accommodation, John and Joan found an alternative that was even better and less expensive. Seeing John and Joan standing on their balcony as we arrived bought back memories of our travels on the Italian Riviera in 2010 - it was reminiscent of Santa Margarita for all of us. The imposing pink Hotel Metropole was right on the waters edge and we had a two room suite with side  views over the water and front promenade for the first two nights. Our last night we had front room with full water views. You could spend hours just watching the never ending traffic of hydrofoils, car ferries, speed boats, passenger ferries, water taxis and row boats weaving their way across the lake.

Our days were spent exploring the town, with it's near vertical steps, quaint shops, touring on the little tourist train further afield and walking along the beautiful tree lined promenade by the lake. We also took a ferry ride around the 'centre lake' area to other small villages. Lunch at Lenno was a relaxing affair. There are some amazing villas on the lake with beautiful gardens. Villages almost hidden high up on the mountain sides. How the residents get there almost seems like a mystery with barely a road in sight. 

The little tourist train. Time to save the feet and see a lot more of the village of Bellagio.

A church high up in the cliff.

Villa Carlotta

The village of Varenna.

Dinners at night were preceded by our own happy hour on the rooftop terrace watching the sun go down behind the mountains on the other side of the lake.

Our balcony view.

Our return trip to Como to catch the train back to Milan, was via the local bus. Much cheaper than the speedy hydrofoil and it provided a ride not unlike a roller coaster with its hair raising drive through streets not wider than the bus. At one point the four of us sitting in the two front seats let out somewhat terrified screams due to the near miss of a reversing car and oncoming traffic. The driver's skill was evident so we were apologetic to him for our noisy disruption. There were several Mexican standoffs as garbage trucks and cars jostled for centimeters of room to try to pass each other and our bus. 

Just as the car was reversing back another came racing round the corner! No accident fortunately but some loud screams from the front passengers - us!!

We believe that George Clooney's house is somewhere on this waterfront??

We said 'Good bye' to John and Joan at the train station, left our bags in storage and went off to explore Como until our early evening train to Milan. Time to take a funicular to the top of the mountain to get the view across the bottom end of the lake - or so we thought! There was very limited views of the lake although there may have been some from the light house at the very top of the mountain. Unfortunately the shuttle bus to the lighthouse only runs on weekends and the 35 minute walk to the light house was not an option in 35degree heat and horrid humidity. The funicular was probably one of the longest and steepest I've encountered. 

Looking back down on Como.

A short half hour ride back to Milan and 'home' to Mary and Davide's and the comfort of air conditioning.

And then there were two!