Closing chapter on Lake Como

Last day here and we’re going to head off again, this time to Varenna (pronounced, “Vah-rain-uh”) and Menaggio (pronounced, “Men-ah-gee-oh”). Both of these picturesque towns overlook Lake Como and are easily reached by the local ferry. Cost is about 9E for two, one way, so not real expensive.

Collette planned today’s touring based on the following:

-Ferry to Varenna for coffee and pastry

-Ferry from Varenna to Menaggio for lunch

-Ferry back to Bellagio in time for snacks and wine

I think I’m starting to rub off on the Misses!

Varenna

Varenna’s history is a bit subdued but it has a couple of highlights. First they were founded around 769AD by some fishermen, then destroyed in 1126AD by the Como-ites. (That’s all I could find, sorry.) Guess there was a little bad-blood there. Other than that, today this small commune has a little more than 800 people residing here but with tourists I’m sure that number exceeds 1,000. Lots of visitors for such a small place!  Of course, there is a villa one can see if they want to pay a few Euro’s, or there is a hike to the top of the hill to see the remains of the old fort and take in a good view. We decided to take in a good view from the water’s edge and find that perfect coffee shop to enjoy a brew and watch the tourist groups muster by.

Found the perfect coffee shop (Varenna Caffe) known world-wide (that’s what the sign said) for their larietti, a cookie that is in the shape of Lake Como. Had to try it, girlfriend! We had the cinnamon flavored variety and liked so much, ordered an extra one, just because.

OK, this is 2 cookies. The top cookie represents the lake formation better than the bottom cookie. So ignore the bottom cookie.

Feeling guilty for just sitting and eating so we walked around the commune making the tourist loop. We past the villa, the piers, the man playing an accordion (twice), the cathedral and then back to the ferry dock to catch our next ride. Good thing it’s only 80F, but then, it’s only 11am.

Collette’s “artsy” shot

The little woman

Loaded up on the ferry for the 38 minute ride across the lake to Menaggio. This towns claim to fame is for a golf course, the Menaggio and Cadenabbia Golf Club, founded 1907. Collette didn’t bring her sticks so we’re going to pass on hitting the links.  Oh yeah, the Romans were here in 196BC and helped themselves to the city.

Crossing Lake Como

Menaggio

The promenade

This city is a bit larger than Varenna boasting a whopping 3,300 inhabitants and yes, their own villa. The town is also known for its water activities (kite surfing, skiing, boating, etc.), lots of shopping and great restaurants. A little less touristy than Bellagio, Menaggio is closer to a true small Italian town.

Arriving right on schedule (how can you be late when the ride is right across the lake) we gathered our things and strolled off into the piazza. Not quite ready for lunch just scoping out the restaurant scene and seeing if something looks good. Gonna do once around the tourist loop and then back to getting what we came for, lunch!

The journey was mostly a walk along the lake shore promenade where we enjoyed the views and the occasional shade tree. Beautiful, just a beautiful walk, no other way to describe it. We did come across a site that sent me back to my younger days. Days when just my arrival would send fear into the others hoping I wouldn’t challenge them. Days when no one, absolutely no one could even come close to matching the “Ace” let alone keep up the pace. That’s right, I’m talking the wizard of the windmill, the dominator of the dragon, the green-ball genie….my mini-golf days! There it was, right in front of us, that most challenging of games, a putt-putt golf course. Damn, if only I had brought the Billy Baroo.

Enough, getting warm (85F) so it’s time to head back to the piazza and have lunch. We found a wonderful little bistro out of the way of the tourists that had a good breeze and excellent menu. Collette decided on Osso Buco, while I went with veal. I think we also had a glass or two of the house wine, not sure.

Osso Buco and palenta

Veal and good old french fires!

With lunch over, time to head back to Bellagio, collect the car and drive back to our villa. Tomorrow is a travel day so the sights will be limited to train stations and fast-moving scenery. We will be traveling by train to Florence on the “Frecciarossa” or high-speed train. These trains operate at almost 300kph or about 190mph, so the scenery will be going by rather fast.

Done for the day. Until tomorrow………..

Ciao