Day Ten – France to Italia
Leaving Menton was a little bittersweet. We knew our time on the French Riviera was ending, but we were excited to drive across the border into Italy! And from Menton, the border was only a 5 minute drive along the promenade.
Italy greeted us with a… traffic jam. Ughhh! Knowing we had a long drive ahead, this is not we were hoping for. Eventually, we made it to the highway, and honestly what felt like through over 100 tunnels. In reality, we later found out there are 78 tunnels from Nice to Genova on A10. One of the tunnels was even 15 km long!
Can’t imagine how hard it was to make this highway, busting through mountain after mountain along the Ligurian Sea. The Ligurian Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea and it lies between the Italian Riviera and the island of Corsica, and it provided some awesome views on the first half of this journey.
After a LONG day of driving, we arrive at Lake Como. We are tired, hungry, and excited to experience Bellagio. Small problem… our GPS led us to a ferry 🤦♂️, across the lake from Bellagio.
Well, we thought we would have to drive another two hours to the other side ( which we can see with our eyes at this point). Luckily, Scott went to the ferry attendant and asked if cars fit on the ferry. Thank god they did! We bought the pass and were in Bellagio in 20 minutes, versus two hours! yay.
Lake Como is a Y shaped lake, arguably the most famous lake in all of Italy. This lake dates back to the Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. It is Europe’s deepest lake at 410 meters (1,345 feet). Immediately, we began to stare in aw of the numerous picturesque seaside villages set at the base of huge mountains in every direction. Mesmerizing and beautiful!
After a hectic drive and an expensive ferry ride, we encounter one more challenge, getting to our hotel. Bellagio is small, and there is only a one way road from the ferry to get to our hotel. And that happens to be right through the heart of the city, navigating tiny streets, dinner tables, and lots of pedestrians.
We park and walk up the narrow, steep walkway up to our perfect hotel for the weekend.
We were so ready for a bottle of wine and a relaxing meal. And luckily, we found that right next to our hotel at Ristorante Suisse. Wine & fettuccine in a cheese bowl please!
Day Eleven – Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna, & Menaggio
Double expresso and a croissant, and we are ready to check enjoy the towns around Bellagio.
Bellagio is beautful and a perfect place to have as home base for a few days on Lake Como. Shopping, restaurants, impeccable cobblestone streets and alleys make this town welcoming and a cozy place to enjoy!
For 15 euros, we buy a ferry pass that will give us access to cruise from town to town all day long. First stop, the town of Varenna.
“With a stunning lakeside location, a charming old town, beautiful villas with botanical gardens, and a medieval castle with jaw-dropping panoramic views, Varenna is one of the most beautiful and most picturesque towns of Lake Como”
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves, thanks Google!
One of our intentional stops after walking through Varenna is Villa Monastero. This beautiful villa set on the seaside of Lake Como is surrounded by a botanical garden. We enjoyed a stroll along the water, admiring the pristine gardens.
Gelato break on the steps of Varenna! Cushions are left on the steps for customers to enjoy their gelato with a view.
Ferry to Menaggio
Maybe because it’s getting hot, or we’re hungry 🤣, but we weren’t as enthused to enjoy Menaggio. But we did enjoy walking along the water, checking out a few shops and hanging in this ancient town. The town center is pretty, with shops and restaurants, but not to the level of Bellagio or Varenna. Still pretty cool to be in a place that was conquered by the Romans in 196 BC.
Back on a boat, across the lake, and we are heading back to Bellagio for some much needed down time. But first, some delicious ravioli and wine :).
We get back at in the evening, starting with drinks at Bar Florence, where Katie has now found her new favorite drink, a Rossini 😎. And watched a beautiful sunset.
Capped off with a beautiful sunset creeping down past the mountains of Lake Como!
So for dinner, we encountered a slight problem, we enjoyed our drinks for too long. People don’t eat early, but they also don’t eat late, so we were scrambling to find an open restaurant. Don’t try to eat after 10. After several, ‘Sorry kitchen is closed’, we found a picture perfect alley pizza spot to end out evening. Think we got a little lucky and found one place open till 10:30.
Day Twelve – We On a Boat
Early start: pack, and breakfast with a special guest
get the car, drive through city streets, load car, drive back to parking spot, and make it to boat reservation all by 10 am. Well, we tried… got to boat a little late.
Experiencing Lake Como by boat is a must! So, we decided to Captain our own boat for a couple of hours to explore at our own pace.
As we cruised around the lake, first passing by two beautiful villas. Ones we would have liked to visit yesterday, but ran out of time. The next best option, view them from the water!
Our ultimate mission on this boat day, make it to Nesso to see the bridge and waterfall. The gorge literally splits this Italian village in half.
And of course, finish up our cruise with a swim in Lake Como.
Before we leave Bellagio, a quick drone session to capture aerial views of this incredible town.
As we leave Lake Como and it’s windy, narrow, treacherous roads, we have one last stop, quick shopping in the town of Como.
By the way, if you ever come to Lake Como, don’t stay in Como, Bellagio or Varenna are much better options.
Back in the car and officially off to one of our favorite places in the world, Switzerland!
Two Wayfaring Wanderers 