Our Italian Holiday - Part 2

Day 4

Not for the first time whilst in Italy, we woke up to rain. It’s unusual to have rain in Italy in August, especially around the lakes and mountains, so it did dampen our spirits somewhat and we ended up reading in our hotel room, rather than enjoying the views.

Luckily the weather brightened, as the sun burnt off the clouds and by lunchtime we had glorious sunshine, which is a good thing, as we had organised the short boat trip across the lake to the small village of Bellagio, which is directly opposite to Cadenabbia. The boat trip was free, another plus point and we were to board at the side of the floating pool. Whilst we were waiting a young couple arrived, to say they were big would be unkind. Unkind, but true. They were so big in fact that the shallow end of the floating pool, had got just a tad shallower!

Obviously, I was concerned that if they were to get into our boat, with me there as well,  there would be risk of a capsize! It transpires that they had hired their own boat and were off together to navigate the lake. Good luck I thought.

Bellagio was indeed very picturesque, with more shops and restaurants than Cadenabbia, but looking back across the water, I couldn’t help but notice the similarity between the two villages, the same colours, similar styles of churches, small bell towers, large villa’s and grand hotels. In fact dotted around the coast of Lake Como are very similar places, all with the same styles of architecture, very pretty, very quaint and beautiful to view in the Italian sunshine.

We spent a few hours wandering the narrow streets of Bellagio, exploring the stepped walkways that led up through the buildings. Plenty of photographs were taken that day.

After we returned to the hotel, we changed for supper and availed ourselves of the restaurant facilities. There’s something about an all-inclusive package and no will power that creates an expanding waistline! The restaurant was the typical buffet affair, where you walk in and find a table. Then one of you waits at the table, whilst the others make their selection. It’s just a constant bustle as people are up and down with platefuls of food.

After supper, we could hear the strains of Eduardo and his Bontempi organ firing up in the bar below, so we thought we should retire to the floating pool bar for some more sophisticated entertainment . After a time the outside bar got a little chilly for the ladies, so we retired the hotel lounge to play cards. What? It was either that or face the Royal British Legion crowd, down in the bar, enjoying Eduardo singing all the hits. I say hits. Clearly Eduardo knew his demographic and was rolling out the big numbers for the crowd, all sung in English with a strong Italian accent. Begin The Beguine, Spanish Eyes, It’s Now or Never. The pensioners lapped it up! They were up dancing to Eduardo, who was perched with his large organ, on a small platform. It’s an incredible sight, old dears swaying gently on their replacement hips, whilst Eduardo deftly selecting the correct rhythms, or not as the case maybe. The correct rhythm being Bossa Nova or nothing!

Unbeknownst to us, we were in for a treat later in the holiday, as Eduardo’s younger brother; Fabio was to take over. I can’t wait!

Roll on Day 5, let’s have some more culture.

Day 5

Another trip day, but this was only a half day affair, so we chilled by the lido pool for the morning, topping up our tans / sunburn and reading.

After lunch we again waited on the side of the floating pool, as this trip was by boat, a quick tour of the lake before we berthed at Villa del Balbianello a stunningly beautiful villa, built on the side of a small peninsula, which juts out into Lake Como, near to Lenno. This villa has a varied history, finally being owned by esteemed Italian explorer and mountain climber Count Guido Monzino, who died in 1988 and donated the villa to the FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano), which is the Italian equivalent of the National Trust.

Who says these blog’s aren’t educational?

Again, like so many of the villas and buildings surrounding Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is beautiful and intriguing. Built on five levels, there are secret passages and stairs hidden behind panels all over the building.

Whilst we were going around, being expertly guided by our tour guide, we were taking photographs as she described the rooms. After about the third room, the guide suddenly remembered;

“pleezee, no photogaphas, sorree, sorree, I forgotta to saya, no cameras insider the villa. Unless you paya 3 Euro’s”.

Cameras were quickly hidden. Of course we did what most people would do in this situation and hang around in the room until everybody had moved on and take a few sneaky pic’s!

After a time in the villa and the outstanding gardens, the boat returned to take us back to our hotel. It was amazing to watch the bright sunshine reflecting off the ripples on the lake, like a myriad of paparazzi flash bulbs going off. Like so many things we saw in Italy, very, very beautiful.

So another great day, rounded off with a nice supper, followed by a walk to the next village along the coast which is Tremezzo. After walking off supper, we returned to the pool bar for another drink or three *waves gold wristband*!

Roll on Day 6, let’s have some more sun.

Day 6

Woke up to rain. Again! This time it looked set for the day. As today was supposed to be a chill day for us, due to the rain, there was going to be no lying out by the pool, so we bought a day ticket for the resort train that runs a 5km route up and down the coast of Lake Como, from Lenno (where Villa del Balbianello is) in the south to Menaggio in the north. We got off at Menaggio first, which was just like a wet weekend in Weston! The highlight was to find the post office so we could send a postcard. See? Old habits are the best ones.

After an hour wandering around in the drizzle, we took the next train back to Cadenabbia and the hotel for a spot of lunch. Then we took the train again, this time down to Lenno. The weather had brightened up by this time and we again wandered around the streets, taking in the views. Again there were very few shops, just a few hotels and the obligatory gift shop, for those of you who need to get more tea towels and fridge magnets!

We took the train back to hotel, but as it was still early, we deposited our daughter in her room, to charge up her various gadgets and Mrs Dave and I took off for a walk, this time heading in land and up the steep steps that led away up the side of the hotel into village of Griante which is nestled into the hillside. We passed three or four churches on our circulatory route, the Italians certainly like their churches. Again, very beautiful and stunning views from the mountain down to the lake.

We stuffed ourselves silly at the ubiquitous buffet supper again and retired to the terrace for a drink. We had to venture into the downstairs bar to fetch drinks, which was full of the oldies bopping away to a different style of entertainment tonight, for tonight Fabio; Eduardo’s younger brother had taken to the podium. It was a joy to behold, I stood there open mouthed as he ran through his selection of ”get up and dance” numbers; Is This the Way to Amarillo? YMCA. All the hits!

Again, all sung terribly in English, with an Italian accent, which is just beyond description. For me the best part was when Fabio was belting out YMCA, he took his hands from the keyboard to do the actions and the music kept playing! What a talent. Of course the old ladies, who had enjoyed a sherry or two were up frantically trying to keep in time with the Y M C and A arm actions, without getting a rupture or worse.

Roll on Day 7, time for another trip.

Day 7

Well the weather was overcast for our early start, we had to be outside of the hotel by 8pm, so an early breakfast was on the cards and as the hot breakfast didn’t start until 8am, we had to make do with ham, cheese and croissants, plus toast of course and as it was early there wasn’t many people hanging around the industrial sized toaster, that used to produce toast in varying shades of brown, dependant on how many times you popped you bread back through the machine. I avoided it; I don’t like the early morning conversation around the toaster, as you wait for your toast to reappear.

Today’s trip was to Milan, with a tour of the historic sights followed by some free time to sample the designer shops. Oh what fun!! (Said in a sarcastic tone).

We stopped at the San Siro stadium, home of Inter and AC Milan. That was exciting. (Said in a sarcastic tone. Again). What was more spectacular was the entrance to the San Siro horse racing track across the road, where a 24 foot high bronze statue of a horse stands. Built 500 years after it was first designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

The centre of Milan, where the cathedral stands (Duomo di Milano) is stunning. The cathedral is very impressive, the 5^th largest in the world and the architecture of the surrounding buildings is superb, but Milan itself seemed to be a bit drab, although it is currently going through a facelift for an up and coming expo. We took a look inside the cathedral, taking in the amazing vastness of its interior. From there we went to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which is a big shopping mall, housing the designer shops like Prada etc. Going through the Galleria you came out opposite the La Scala Opera house. Another photo opportunity.

We then visited a department store, the Milan equivalent of Harrods (just to use the toilets!) but to get to them on the top floor, you had to traverse floor upon floor of overpriced women’s clothing! All from designer labels. Boring!

A brief stop at Sforza Castle and we were back on the bus and back to the hotel.

Roll on Day 8; home time!

Day 8

Day 8, our last day in Italy was really a nothing day, having had breakfast and finished packing and then checking out, we had 6 hours to kill before our transfer to the airport arrived. We whiled away this time out by the floating pool, catching the glorious Italian sun and taking one last dip in the pool. Obviously being the last day and we had checked out, we had to carry out the most English of rituals, “checking the cases”. They were left in the lobby, but as there were several airport transfers that day, I didn’t want some sweaty overzealous coach driver lobbing our cases into the coach, carrying passengers for the next flight back to Manchester!

Although we had checked out, we still maintained our gold wristbands, so availed ourselves of the hotel restaurant and had a big lunch to last the rest of the day. We took the opportunity to say goodbye to waiters, who had looked after us so well all week. “Buongiorno” they would say and Mrs Dave, whose grasp on languages is good, but she gets flustered easily, would reply with a cheery “Bonjela”!

And there we have it, another holiday done. I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them. I only really do them so that I can actually remember what we have done and where we have been!!

Until next time, buonasera.