The Magic of the Lakes

Yesterday we visited Como at the south end of the lake.  In a way, it was a bit disappointing although the old town is very reminiscent of Florence, Vincenza and other Renaissance-era Italian towns.  As it was Monday, most of the shops were closed (guess who was more than a bit disappointed about that!) and, after we'd taken the funicular up to Brunate which has amazing views of the lake, we just took a fast boat back to Menaggio.  Little did we know that the bus we'd taken in the morning had passed through Laglio, the village where George Clooney's villa is.

View of Como from the Funicular to Brunate

Como's Duomo

We spent our last evening in Menaggio and, thankfully, unlike when we'd arrived, the weather was perfect.

Last drink at Bar Pess - same table as the one I'd shared with Mena and Trevor 5 years ago

Evening view toward Bellagio

Morning view from our Menaggio Apartment

Today we left Lago Como, drove by Lago Lugano (which we will visit later this week) and headed for Lago Maggiore.  The first time I heard of this lake was in 1962 when, as a young, impressionable teenager, I saw the movie, Rome Adventure, starring Troy Donahue, Angie Dickenson, Rossano Brazzi and Suzanne Pleschette.  Clearly the story stuck with me as, years later, Lago Maggiore which was featured in the film, was one of only three places I absolutely had to see on my first visit to Europe in 1979.  Clearly, I was a hopelessly romantic teenager!  However, the beauty of this lake cannot be denied.  It seems, each of these Italian lakes has its own personality.  So, we have left the "glitz and glam" of Lago Como and the more sporty culture of Lago di Gardi to be here which is, at least in Cannero Riviera, a much slower pace.  The northern tip of this lake is in Switzerland but the majority of it lies in Italy.  It enjoys a Mediterranean climate and not many people believe there are palm trees growing in CH until they visit Locarno and Ascona, both Swiss towns on this lake.

View looking north along the lakeshore

Medieval Castle just off the Lakeshore

View of Luino from my balcony

Nawal had booked our hotel here (one of the first 4 star ones I've stayed in - unlike me, she, I think, is used to this sort of thing) and our expectations given the hotel's website were totally met.  It is like I am staying in a villa as my room looks like some villa bedrooms I've toured.  The lakeside setting is perfect and, across the lake, we can see Luino where we will go tomorrow for its famous market.  I am adding the following photos only because I've never slept in a room like this.  All I can say is thank heaven for Visa!  I know how lucky I am!