Where's George

An Easter Get-Away
What more beautiful place to go for Easter than Lake Como!  Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy.  We visited Lake Como 10 years ago for the first time.  We realized how close it was to Davos (4 hours by car), so we decided to rent a car and make a fun trip!

Through the Alps

Windy Road to St. Moritz

From Davos, we drove to St. Moritz.  While Davos is a ski resort, St. Moritz is a ski resort of the rich and famous.  There is no other industry, except tourism in St. Morits.  It is actually higher in the Alps than Davos, so while the ice on the Davos Lake had already melted before we left, the ice on the lake in St. Moritz was frozen over.

Driving up to St. Moritz is such an interesting ride.  The road winds up higher and higher until you find yourself above the tree line.  At that point, you feel as though you are driving on a road on the lunar surface.  Finally you reach the peak, and begin a short decent into St. Moritz.  From that point on the drive is a slow downward motion.  You cannot drive fast on these roads!

Into Italy
As you get closer and closer to Lake Como, it feels warmer and warmer.  Then you see it - this beautiful lake.

Lake Como

The Best Hotel

Hotel Olivedo

There are three towns that are easily visited by ferry, Verenna, Bellagio and Mennaggio.  We choose Varenna, the town we had visited 10 years ago and stay in the same hotel, Hotel Olivedo.  The hotel is located on the lake.  There is a ferry dock right outside the hotel door (how convenient!).  

Lake Como Walkway

Along the Lake

Lake Como is known for it's sweet beauty.  There is a walkway that leads you part way around the lake.  This walkway is famous for having wedding pictures taken on it, and it begins - where else - right at our hotel.

Into Town

The walkway leads you into the town of Varenna.  From the edge of the lake all the 'roads' are uphill.  Now mind you, in Italy they are called roads, but by my standards they are cobblestone alleys, not at all wide enough for a vehicle.  In the pic to the left, we had already walked UP and were noticing the steep grade we had to walk down!!  

Tucked into these alleyways are shops and restaurants.  We had some of the most delicious meals in these tiny restaurants, some of which only had 7 tables.

Really good beer

Ah, for the Afternoon Rest

Lake Como has many lakeside cafes where having an afternoon drink is the custom....and you know what I say: when in Rome...

Easter

Every town in Italy has a Catholic Church and Varenna is no exception.  On Easter Sunday, we went to mass at Chiesa di San Giorgio (St. George Church).  

A Ferry Ride

From Varenna, we took the ferry to Bellagio.
When you exit the ferry, you find yourself in a town square, then you climb the cobblestone stair/streets up, up, up.

Looking Down

Going UP

The streets are so beautiful.  The shops are all unique.  Can you see Lake Como from the top of the street on the right?

The Best Part

Well, you must know by now: PIZZA!  We found a restaurant hidden deep within the cobblestone streets and had two AMAZING pizzas!  Ray had a 4 cheese and I had sausage.  OMG...soooo good.  Notice the pizzas are not cut the way we do in the US.  You use a fork and knife to cut your way to pizza heaven.

One Last Stop

From Bellagio, we ferried (is that a word?) to Menaggio, where I made a small purchase...

Those Boot Were Made for Walking!

Ok, I admit it - I bought a pair of boots, Italian leather boots.  For those of you (like me) who had never had a pair of Italian leather anything, the moment I put these boots on-they-were-mine!!!  I have always had to wear a new pair of shoes to 'break them in' spending many walking moments in uncomfortableness.  Oh, no...not with these boots.  They slipped on and I did not want to take them off!  

Fit for a King
There is a castle on top of the hill behind the Hotel Olivedo.  To get to the castle is, you guessed it, an uphill climb.  No switch backs, just straight UP.  It is exhausting, but worth the trip.  At the top before you get to the castle, is a little shop filled with ceramics and jewelry.

Artists Shop

Walking up to the Castle

Then finally you get to the castle.  This is a really old structure.  And the view from so high up is amazing!

Rest in Peace

Europe has the most beautiful cemeteries. Families stay in one location for generations and are still in the same villages and towns.  When a family member dies, the generations who are still alive take care of their loved ones cemetery plot.

Real flowers are planted and taken car of.  The flowers you see not artificial.

A Hilton for the Departed
Then there are the private, family mausoleums.  These are like small, elegant hotels!  See the one with the three columns?  There is a heavy glass door and lobby where you visit your loved ones who passed.  There were fresh flowers in vases inside.  The door was locked but you can easily see inside the lobby area.





Lake Como - what can I say other than if you ever get the opportunity to visit - do so.  It is a quiet, delightful place.  You can feel the rhythms of your body slow and match the smooth pace of the Italian countryside.  I feel so lucky to be in a place where visiting other countries is so easy.  How easy is it?  Next week we are going to Greece!!!!!!

Oh, and what has this got to do with George?  Who knows?  Do you?

Tschuss!

Marybeth