Hotel du Parc Stresa

... from the point there though which was cool.
Ferry back from Belaggio to Como was a lot quicker (and more expensive) and had some great views of the various places around the lake.

Back in Milan that night discovered the happy hour buffets that I'd read about - 6 Euro for a drink and all you can eat.

Buffet is nothing special, but ...

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 ...

... is that? I'm naming my next dog that, no offense to him, he's a great guy, but I think as an American I could get away with naming a dog that, but not a child) had to work, so they dropped Meghan and I off at a little town called Orta on their way to work. Orta is on Orta Lake, a tiny lake in comparison to the others (Luisa didn't even know it existed), and is also freakin adorable. We got there early-ish, and as we were walking to the center I decided I needed to ...

... Mussilini was ousted and arrested by his own party, the Germans helped him escape and set up a puppet regime in the north of Italy. When all was lost, and German troops were retreating, Mussulini and others tried to escape and were captured by communist partisans . They kept him and his mistress overnight then decided to execute them. There was a photo in the series that I will never forget of their mutilated bodies hanging ...

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!

My friend had the fabulous idea of going to Lugano this weekend and I am not one to turn down great ideas. I still had my Canadian friend staying with me as well and he was ready to move on, but I convinced him to wait until he sees Lugano before he moves on to the next country on his list.

So we made a three-day weekend out of it and had a fabulous time. Lugano is so beautiful! The winding streets, steep hills, charming shopping ...

... br>One interesting thing about the Borremeo family crest is the crown with the Latin word for humility on it. I found this rather ironic seeing as we were walking through this palace that obviously screams wealth and societal importance.

After our tour of the palace, we walked through the grounds. We then boarded the water taxis back to Stresa and the bus. We drove back to Switzerland on an Italian toll road, and if it ...

... this where the manufacturing works is the focal point of the town. But then this is not your normal, bog standard factory. Since the 1940’s it has been manufacturing Ferraris, and from the balcony of our room we could look directly across the street to the factory’s front gates, where we would be presenting ourselves at 9am the next morning to go inside for a tour.

Hoges and I set out on foot to spend the evening exploring the small town, and in only a ...

... owned by this sweet couple and decorated in that alpine style like something out of a movie. Everything was furnished in an old fashioned style (Alpine from the 40s and 50s?) Huge windows allowed for a view of the lake from one end to the other. The food was so delicious,( my polenta was cake style but slightly creamier yum yum) and the wine flowing. We ate heartily, and conversed on what felt like the tip top of the world. After a ...