012
The Lakes-district of Como.
We stayed at Varenna (above). An easy train commute from Venice via Milan (fast-train 3+ hours).
Were told to be ready to exit, before the train reached our station. They don't muck around in Italy...when they stop...you jump. Train will be moving again, before you hit the platform.
Apart from being quaint and colourful (can't change the colour of yr house. ever.) - V's main claim to fame is accommodating Italy's shortest river (the Fiumelatte).
Only a tiny 'spurt' into the nearby Lake.
Didn't realise how many mid-lake villages, surrounded its foreshore.
Framed by snow-capped mountains, all are easily accessible by ferry.
Alas
the boat schedule's NOT so friendly.
you need to scope 4x different timetables. (Call-a-friend ?)
Watch you purchase the correct ferry ticket. eg:Como is 3 hours on a ferry. By hydrofoil 1x hour. Or hire a snail-paced self drive Boat
After hanging out in Bellagio for an eon ... we fronted for the hydrofoil to Como ... only to be told we had the 'slow-boat' ticket.
Rather than tolerate another hour - got a taxi.
Our ticket seller confessed he didn't know much (new job.)
Take a 15mins walk (in any direction) from the shady, central square and its handful of churches ... and you've covered old-town Vareena.
No streets - just pretty, cobbled, 'stepped laneways'. Enduring from Roman times, when first laid down.
Looped back via the fore-shore promenade. Spent evenings lingering at the quaint Bars beside it, hoovering up the view.
Scouted a few lake villages. Ditto some Villas.
Gardens OK. Had expected 'more' Isola Bella (Lake Maggiore) or Italo versions of Villandry.
Guessing, Private Garden Tours may elevate what's on offer. (ie: not open to the general public).
In fairness, emphasis in gardens (back then) appears to be how many more exotic varieties you could plant (than yr competitive neighbour).
Not so much the visual impact.
In Stresa, AB re-visited Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees (a by gone Pfizer Conference venue )
Its a testament to euro-wealth and traditional Hospitality.
Had to mortgage the house, before ordering afternoon -tea.
012
The Lakes-district of Como.
We stayed at Varenna (above). An easy train commute from Venice via Milan (fast-train 3+ hours).
Were told to be ready to exit, before the train reached our station. They don't muck around in Italy...when they stop...you jump. Train will be moving again, before you hit the platform.
Apart from being quaint and colourful (can't change the colour of yr house. ever.) - V's main claim to fame is accommodating Italy's shortest river (the Fiumelatte).
Only a tiny 'spurt' into the nearby Lake.
Didn't realise how many mid-lake villages, surrounded its foreshore.
Framed by snow-capped mountains, all are easily accessible by ferry.
Alas
the boat schedule's NOT so friendly.
you need to scope 4x different timetables. (Call-a-friend ?)
Watch you purchase the correct ferry ticket. eg:Como is 3 hours on a ferry. By hydrofoil 1x hour. Or hire a snail-paced self drive Boat
After hanging out in Bellagio for an eon ... we fronted for the hydrofoil to Como ... only to be told we had the 'slow-boat' ticket.
Rather than tolerate another hour - got a taxi.
Our ticket seller confessed he didn't know much (new job.)
Take a 15mins walk (in any direction) from the shady, central square and its handful of churches ... and you've covered old-town Vareena.
No streets - just pretty, cobbled, 'stepped laneways'. Enduring from Roman times, when first laid down.
Looped back via the fore-shore promenade. Spent evenings lingering at the quaint Bars beside it, hoovering up the view.
Scouted a few lake villages. Ditto some Villas.
Gardens OK. Had expected 'more' Isola Bella (Lake Maggiore) or Italo versions of Villandry.
Guessing, Private Garden Tours may elevate what's on offer. (ie: not open to the general public).
In fairness, emphasis in gardens (back then) appears to be how many more exotic varieties you could plant (than yr competitive neighbour).
Not so much the visual impact.
In Stresa, AB re-visited Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees (a by gone Pfizer Conference venue )
Its a testament to euro-wealth and traditional Hospitality.
Had to mortgage the house, before ordering afternoon -tea.