Lake Como, Italy
May 6 - May 9, 2011..... 5/6

We are now "back on land" - (if you have forgotten, Venice lies on a group of marshy islands in the Adriatic Sea, about four miles from the mainland of Italy) - having left Venice BY CAR!!!

We picked up our rental car & drove from Venice to Lake Como….about 190 miles in about 3 hours.  The scenery included some wine country.

We had a GPS system that was very good, with a navigator that gave precise directions with an English accent. 

Tom actually did a fine job….so we should enjoy having wheels once again.

We are staying in a lovely villa turned hotel – the Grand Hotel Imperiale – located at the southern end of the Lake Como and 7 miles from the town of Como.

The hotel is on Lake Como.    The view from our hotel room is absolutely gorgeous….as is the view from the hotel’s restaurant, plus the food was delicious, too.

  

5/7/2011

Well, we are back on water again, here in Lake Como. 

We used the water boats to tour around the gorgeous lake with its incredibly beautiful scenery.  7miles and 26 miles respectively) from Moltrasio (which is where our hotel is located}. 

In Como we road the Funicolare (“fun train” – which is really a tram going up the side of the mountain) to the village of Brunate. This fun train, which takes one up about 2,000 feet above Como, made its first journey in 1894 and still today links the city with an extremely atmospheric panoramic point.  

We spent some time in the towns of Como and Bellagio.

Both cities are bustling with tourists, so Tom’s decision to reserve our hotel in Moltrasio was a good one, which allows us to enjoy Lake Como in a more quiet and relaxed environment.

5/8/2011

Today was our final day in Lake Como - and it was another beautiful day.....sunny with temps in the high 70's.  We certainly did not expect weather this warm, and did not pack summer clothes...but we are not complaining!!

We hope to bring some of this glorious weather back with us when we return home mid-week.

Our day started at two churches in Como...the 11th century San Giacomo Church which was erected between 1050 and 1075; and Duomo di Como (Como Cathedral) with its imposing west front which was built between 1457 and 1498 and features a rose window and a portal between two statues. 

We then toured two (of the many) villas around Lake Como.

Villa Olmo was our first stop.  This Villa was constructed between 1782 – 1797.  Since 1924 it belongs to the city of Como and now hosts art exhibitions.  We were pleasantly surprised to find it hosting an exhibition of paintings by Boldini….so we enjoyed beautiful art in a beautiful setting.

Our next stop was Villa Balbianello, built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery.  The Villa & antique furnishings are exquisite. The spectacular terraced gardens with magnolias, azaleas, cypresses and so much more, give you an excellent panoramic view of the lake and mountains.

Tomorrow morning we hit the road again, with Tom (& the GPS) driving to Monte Carlo, Monaco.