Lake Como

Rob had a few days off the beginning of this month so we decided to take a last minute trip to Italy. I had a friend who just went to Bellagio and I fell in love with the pictures she posted online and so we made the 7 1/2 hour journey to Lake Como. Driving through Switzerland was beautiful but also pricey. You have to buy a vignette that costs 40 euros ($54) at the boarder crossing but it lasts for a year. Once we got to Lake Como we took a ferry (that was around 20 euro) to get to Bellagio. 

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We stayed at the B&B Alla Torretta. It was about a 5 minute drive up the mountain from the main part of the city but we walked hiked it every morning and evening. At first I was kicking myself for staying here but after all the pasta and delicious food we ate, I was grateful for the workout. The B&B was beautiful and the views were just as gorgeous. The owner and his family were very sweet and had a little boy around Rand's age.

 

 There was a pedestrian path right outside the B&B that took us right to the main center of Bellagio. It was not very stroller friendly but our Jeep stroller is not just any stroller. The walk down was about 15-20 minutes. It is also a very dark path so bring a headlamp or flashlight.

The first day we were there we stayed in Bellagio and checked out all the sights. We also went on a boat tour with Bellagio Water Taxi that went around Lake Como and showed us some very beautiful villas, including Villa Balbianello where we stopped off and enjoy an hour long tour of the stunning property. You may recognize the view and villa from numerous movies; Casino Royal & Star Wars episode 2, just to name a couple. Make sure to sign up for a boat tour early in the morning, they fill up pretty fast.

just nursing on the boat

After walking around the alleyways and streets it was nice to take a relaxing walk through some beautiful gardens on the edge of Lake Como at i Giardini di Villa Melzi. There was a small fee to get in (8 euro) but I thought it was well worth it.

Tucked away in an alleyway, away from the touristy places, is a charming and delicious 18-century cellar called Cava Turacciolo. It offers more than 300 labels of local and national wines that you can enjoy with some fresh cut salami, cheese, cold plates and pasta. The honey was amazing too!

 The next day we took the ferry across the lake to Menaggio and to Varenna. We bought an all day ticket for 15 euros. We spent a good part of that day in Menaggio. It had an adorable little playground filled with children right near the dock. We walked on a pathway curving around the lake to a find a few restaurants and also a delicious gelato place. 

 On our way home through Switzerland we decided to go a different way, so we headed north into Switzerland at Airolo and came off the motorway. We ended up going through Gotthard Pass (or St. Gotthard Pass). It was a breathtaking view. We pulled off the road multiple times to stop and get a better look at the beautiful Alps. I was very grateful Rob drove.

 After we drove through Gotthard Pass we took a pit stop at "My Stop. Gottard" for some food. They had a huge buffet of delicious looking food and a great play area (inside and outside) for kids but it was very pricey. The views from the parking lot were beautiful!