Postcard From Lake Como
Chiny and I decided sometime in October to take a trip to the Lake Como area for Valentine's Day. We were so sure we wouldn't have any other plans and booked it straight away. Our holiday got off to a very odd start. We stayed at the hotel literally a 3 minute walk from the airport, walked in at 7 am with no checked in luggage but still managed to miss our 8 am flight.We just couldn't explain how that happened. Got on a 4 pm flight after paying nearly the value of our return ticket for just the one way. Ryanair totally milked the situation.
While waiting we went back to Radisson Blu to eat and have some drinks. It was Valentine's day after all, and we were technically on vacation.
After hours of waiting, playing musical chair in the plane as we weren't allocated seats and the noisiest flight ever with at least 120 school kids on a ski trip, we finally made it to Milan Bergamo. Then made our way on the shuttle to Bergamo train station and got on the train to Lecco. Got to the hotel exhausted and asked to have dinner in our room.
Day 1
It rained throughout the night and I woke up to a text from Mauro cancelling the motorbike tour due to the weather. We were terribly gutted as that was to be the highlight of our trip. The tour was supposed to kick off with Mauro and Fabio picking us up on the Ducatti Multistrider, ride up the lake to Bellagio, down the lake to Como, walk through town, have coffee, then go to Cernobbio, see George Clooney's house at Laglio, on to Argegno, Tremezzo and Menaggio. Take the ferry to Varenna and ride back to Lecco.
Such fantastic plan but mother nature said no. So we had a lie in and watched the weather go from snow, to rain and back to snow. Watched the cloud cover the Monte Bre and then clear up.
And we polished off a bottle of wine from the Lombardy region while watching a Nollywood movie.
We headed to Bellagio when the rain eased up. The villages were quiet and so peaceful. The very gorgeous cab driver gave us a mini tour as we drove past places.
The lake was so clear. I wonder if people swim in it during the summer.
We stopped for coffee and gelato at little lake side cafe.
Paciugo for me
Coppa marron glacés for Chinny
Then took the ferry to Varenna to wander around town and have dinner.
Everywhere was quiet and peaceful.
Had dinner at this restaurant next to the station.
After dinner we hopped on the train back to Lecco, to our very cosy casa.
Day 2
Woke up to a chilly day with no rain and set off for Lugano. Read about it HERE
She whips her hair back and forth.....
Lecco Station
Day 3
The sun finally came out and it was so beautiful. We decided to enjoy the hotel grounds before heading to Milan.
Never got tired of this view from the bed.
Of course we had to take lots and lots of pictures.
We stayed in Casa Sull'Albero. Our stay in Lecco was pretty much because of this place. It did not disappoint. Was quiet, had good views and Gabrielle the manager was very very helpful and kind.
Breakfast Room
Honesty Fridge
The had an honesty kitchen policy where you can take anything from the fridge/kitchen at any time and be honest enough to write down what you took and your room number.
We got the lake view room with balcony
Around noon we packed our bags and got the train to Milan. The journey took just under an hour. It was loud, it was busy so different from the towns by the lake.
Got an Uber car to the Duomo di Milano
Long queues meant we couldn't climb to the top of the cathedral so went across the road to Gran Caffe Visconteo for a quick lunch.
A rossini toast to a lovely long weekend before getting on the coach to the Bergamo airport. Checked in just to see our 6:30pm flight had been delayed till midnight. Had another long wait at the airport and didn't get into London till 1am.
Had such a relaxing trip, airport woes aside, and I will definitely go back for the bike tour.
