Bright memories – 7

Where next? A year later found us with this stunning vista of Lake Como. Not my image- my husband was chief cameraman. I simply gawped! And kept a lookout in case a certain Mr. Clooney happened to saunter by, in this playground for millionaires. Bellagio was all I could have hoped for. Our hotel, on the lake front, had the look of former gentility, with frescoes on the dining room ceiling and an air of grandeur. We were tucked neatly away in a large cupboard at the back, and tiptoed down the stairs to breakfast. But the view across the water was sublime.

My memories of Como are not so clear as those of Garda, and I’ve had to rootle under the bed for the box of postcards that constituted my diary at that time. I would say that it was more of a holiday for grown ups, with beautiful gardens and villas everywhere you looked. Entertaining a 7 year old was less easy, but he was pretty good at finding himself friends, including an older couple with whom he regularly played cards. His blow-up rubber boat was a great success in the freezing hotel pool, despite, or because of, its slow puncture. A memorable coach trip to Lake Lugano in Switzerland provided stunning scenery for us and, for him, a giant chess set on the endless shoreline.

Impossible to forget, though, the vision of Isola Bella. We ferried across Como to join a coach for Stresa, on Lake Maggiore. A motorboat carried us out across the water to the Borromean Islands, to the wedding cake confection that is Isola Bella. Everything is anticlimax once you have witnessed these coral grottoes, whimsical statues and the manicured lawns where white peacocks parade. It feels like treading in someone else’s dream.

Almost beyond your wildest dreams, and then onwards, swept towards Isola dei Pescatori, the more modest Fisherman’s island. In the distance, Isola Madre, the mother island. Many holidays rolled into one is how I remember Lake Como, with every possible variation in the weather. Water dripping from our noses in the capital, Como, and searing heat on the islands. A feast of a holiday!

Becky is taking a little sojourn of her own. Do join her with a BrightSquare!

109 comments

  2. Lake Como was one of the fist places I ever visited in Italy and I was beyond amazed. One of my favourite places to this day remains Villa del Balbianello – an estate, located on the western bank of the lake offering visitors an enchanting view of the area. Have a good day. Aiva 🙂

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  8. Just gorgeous Jo! One of our absolute favourite places – in fact my screensaver shot on this computer is taken from the ferry just as were sailing out of Menaggio (our base) to cross to Bellagio. With the snow-capped Alps in the background it is stunning. We also particularly loved the little fishing village of Varenna and the tranquility and rugged beauty of the far north of the lake near Colico. We made a visit to the enchanting Piona Abbey near here and need to go back some day to obtain the Monk’s Elixir (a wonderful liquor made out of alpine herbs that is said to cure all ills)! We are down to our last few shots of it – saving it in case it is ever needed! Have a good week and take care xx (ps no updates today as yet we’re still waiting by the phone)

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      1. Hiking from the Lake up to a peak (around Limone). 1200 altitude meters if I remember correctly. Wanted to give up early on and was overtaken by a grandma and her young grandchildren (nothing for motivation like some wounded pride). Although I think it was the descent that really killed me. I avoided even small stairs for almost a week and rather took a long detour.

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