Day 2 AM - Varenna

We were up fairly early and the view from our bedroom window was beautiful.  Very glad we're not in the ground floor apartment.

After breakfast wandered back down to the lake via the road (as opposed to the cobbled path).  A couple of shots on the way down.

The juxtaposition between old and new.

Our apartment's address is Via Monte Crocione - I presume it's named after the hill behind us with its cross and wonder if our cobbled alley is in fact an ancient pilgrim's walk.

We pass this well kept garden en route; the owners of the villa obviously love big cats.

We stopped off at the Tourist Information Office, conveniently situated next to the ferry boat station and picked up a few maps, brochures and ideas as to what we might do for the day.  Having bought day rover tickets (I seemed to qualify for an OAP discount too) we caught the next ferry over to Varenna which seemed to be the most interesting of lake side towns.

Tremezzo's Grand Hotel from the water (£900 per night for lake view)

As you can see the weather looks a little iffy.

Villa Carlotta just outside Tremezzo

The view up the lake was lovely, with the Italian Alps in the distance.

I'm trying to get into the habit of taking little videos too.

I must make a note to turn the audio off though!

Villa Melzi again and its landscaped gardens.

 

There are a lot of sea planes flying up and down, no doubt delivering the rich and famous to their private villas.  Amongst those who own/have owned lakeside properties are George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Branson and Johnny Depp.  As usual I had the wrong lens on :(

The boat went first to Bellagio so a few views from the water.  Our plan is to visit here later this afternoon on the way back from Varenna.

There are lovely little buildings dotted around the shoreline.

And then over to Varenna on the eastern side of the lake.

Varenna is a lovely little town (village) and the waterside is very pretty.  The ferry stops a short walk from the centre so a few pictures on the walk into town.

Including this walkway and bridge with wisteria arch (designed by Giorgio Monico) which must be a beautiful sight when in flower.

I can assure you Ian's map reading skills are first class and he wasn't about to launch himself off the jetty.

As with most of these places, the streets away from the shoreline are very steep and mostly residential, although there are a few bars and shops here.