Day 1 & 2 - Varenna & Lake Como

Varenna and Lake Como

 

Varenna and Lake Como were very quiet and relaxing!  The streets are narrow with lots of stone stairs going up and down and lined with charming homes and businesses.  Our hotel sat right on the water with fantastic views of the mountains which surround it.  Breakfast was a wonderful spread of eggs, sausage, pastries, cheese and meats, cereals and crackers/cookies, yogurt and fruit.  We sat on the veranda, overlooking the water and the pool both breakfasts.  The staff at the hotel were so welcoming and friendly.  

A local specialty, this is risotto with Lake Como fish from Osteria Quatro Pass was delicious!  This charming little restaurant with vaulted ceilings was our first dinner! We would have eaten here more than once if we had been staying longer!

The lobby of our hotel, The Queen Victoria

Breakfast overlooking the beautiful waters of Lake Como

We had beautiful weather throughout our whole Italian stay. For our day on Lake Como, we took advantage of our ferry pass to check out some of the other small communities on the lake! No, George (Clooney) was unavailable to meet with us, but maybe next time! We had a really nice lunch and a bottle of wine sitting on a bench looking at the water!

Our room

Bellagio was much busier than Varenna with lots of small shops and restaurants. The streets were full of locals and tourists.

First sign of a good restaurant......a line out front! Delicious! This place was wonderful with our sandwich bun more of a pizza crust than a bun or bread. It paired wonderfully with a glass of wine from a local shop.

 

I'll probably say this more than once, but the wine in Italy was soooooo delicious! Note: Got this tip from a friend....order the house wine in restaurants. Many restaurants have their own wine and they are incredible and very inexpensive!  We ordered house wines everywhere and I think the most we spent on good sized and delicious glass of wine was $6!  We got liters for $7-10!  What????? I am now a huge fan of Tuscan and Umbria wines.

Villa Carlotta is a stunning neoclassical villa located on the western shore of Lake Como, near the village of Tremezzo in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. We stopped and toured Villa Charlotta on our cruise around Lake Como.  Beautiful, terraced gardens and the house has an extensive art collection, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries. 

 

Our final dinner here, also happened to be my birthday (you're only as old as your mind) and we sat overlooking the lake and sunset on a beautiful night.

The restaurant and our bottle of wine shared the same name.

Dessert! Oh, my goodness!!!!

 We did the three-course dinner, and it was fabulous!  The chef and his staff were inviting, and the food was marvelous! I don't eat a lot of sweets, but the dessert was phenomenal and completed the celebration!  They have their own wine, hence the name of the restaurant.

 

Italian gardens are renowned for their beauty, elegance, and harmony with nature. They reflect centuries of artistry, design principles, and cultural influences, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

 

Varenna is a hidden gem on Lake Como, offering visitors a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities in a tranquil and picturesque setting. Our first taste of Italy and we were truly in love with the culture and excited to see our next destination! Varenna was the perfect place to start our vacation!

The Dolomites and The Iceman