Hotel Fontana Stresa

Lake Como photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album. php?aid=163676&id=613699523&l=b 0c583d265

Friday caught the train out to Como for a day trip.
Wandering around Como is really nice and can imagine it would be awesome in Summer, as well as being incredibly busy and crowded.
Caught the funiculare up to Brunate and walked up the ...

When I finally found Lake Como (after a train, then a bus, then a ferry and then a very confusing walk) I was surprised that it was so empty. It was raining (I think the rain is following me around Europe) and there was no one about so I was able to do my exploring easily. Lake Como is a very small place with not too many things to ...

... to lunch. The grandparents live near Borgo's center, above one of the 3 Armani shops they own and run (the grandma knows Armani personally) and most of their children live in the same apartment complex. I met them all but couldn't tell you their names for the life of me, only that they were all wearing Armani everything-glasses, socks, shoes, even underwear. Meghan and I sat at the "kids" table, even though the oldest cousins are our age too, and it consisted of ...

... br>
Sue

We transferred from the bus to a boat to do the tour of the Lake. They pointed out the particular houses of royalty and film stars - and how many millions their houses were worth. The views were spectacular, the houses really like castles, and they would have no trouble having privacy, that's for sure! Another wonderfully pleasant surprise! Some have their own cable-cars to get down to the water's edge. (Funicular)

From Dad
To Como

After Lucerne we then had a relatively short drive through the mountains to Como. We went through the longest tunnel in the world, and passed through some very pretty mountain scenery. We stopped near Bellinzona and had a longer rest at Lugarno. These towns are both in the Italian speaking area of Switzerland.

Lugarno was another attractive lakeside town ...

Took the train from Milan to Lake Como - short 1.5 hour trip. The lake is beautiful and there was a speed boat race going on when we arrived. We took the funicular (tram) which has a charming little town at the top and a great view of the lake. We stayed on the south side of the lake (where George lives) and then took a boat north to Bellagio. Quaint town with steep streets filled with great shops. Can understand why George bought a house there!

... Italian. Eventually I did return to reality, but not until after we visited Swiss Miniatur and San Salvatore. Swiss Miniatur is more or less self-explanatory, but I will say it was really cool to visit as a Swiss resident. It gave me and my friend some great ideas for future trips in the country. There are so many castles we never even knew existed! They really captured the great sites and monuments of Switzerland, including mountain ...

... prow and a tiered garden in the stern. Several of us remark that this is definitely one of the highlights of the tour! After touring the Palace and wandering through the gardens, we visit Isola Pescatori (the fish island) for a relaxing lunch and shopping before returning to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening. Dan

... Ferrari factory tour was incredible enough. But, remarkably, it had just got even better. The Brazilian Grand Prix, the last Formula One race of the season, was about to start. And we were in the spiritual heartland of the prancing horse to watch Michael Schumacher race for Ferrari for the very last time before retiring – with a chance at winning an eighth World Driver’s Championship and earning Ferrari the year’s Constructor’s Championship. Hoges and I ...

... the youngest people (including my parents) in town. When I read about Stresa and the hotels and its proximity to everything (which we did not take advantage, but that's OK), I thought it would be ideal. I did not realize that it was a seniors destination. All of the activities and businesses were geared toward the senior traveler. In particular bus tour groups. There was no night life, and everything was quiet after 10 pm. After ...