We marvel at the view of the snow-capped Alps. We are just minutes from Switzerland...but clearly in Italy. Many of the workers have that annoying yet endearingly playful knack for under-achieving. Precision seems limited to the pasta — exactly al dente and reliably homemade.
In Italy's romantic Lakes District, in the shadow of the Alps, 19th-century villas are overgrown with old vines that seem to be filled with stories to tell and you know Boca is a nosey Nellie. Stunted palm trees seem held against their will in this northern location but I must admit they are healthy and without that disease we saw a month ago. And the vistas are made-to-order for poets and artists. In fact, it was early nature-lovers who wrote and painted here that put this region on the map in the 1800s. Pleep has purchased a picture or two for a fond remembrance of a very beautiful part of the world.
A handful of lakes bring visitors just north of Milano. The million-euro question is: Which lake to see? But for the best mix of scenery, off-beatness, and aristocratic-old-days romance, and on our bucket list for years, our choice is Lake Como.
Sleepy Lake Como is a good place for Bubs to take a break from the turnstile culture of central Italy. Let's amble around the town Bubs.
Today the hazy lazy lake's only serious industry is tourism. Thousands of lakeside residents travel daily to nearby Lugano, in Switzerland, to find work. The area's isolation and flat economy have left it pretty much the way those 19th-century Romantics described and painted it.
Charming photo ops abound.
The promenade is a fun place to shop, eat and imbibe- is shopping THE INTERNATIONAL SPORT? And yes, even this remote spot is packed with tourists. Sorry about that Bub.
Arcades facing the lake are lined with shops. The heavy curtains, which hang between the arches, keep Bubba and the tourist's poodles from sweating.
Bubs was itching for a burger-I guess he's all pasta'ed out today, so we had one here- and may I add, quite tasty.
We enjoy a cold Peroni while watching the ferry's pull in and out of the pier dock.
The landscape is lush and very picturesque.
Bubs, tell me one more time, why haven't we been here before?
Lake Como is famous among Italians for its shape — like a stick figure of a man with two legs striding out. Bellagio is located where the two legs come together (and the subject of funny, if crude, local rhymes you can learn when you visit).Pleep enjoys playing in the "crotch"- I think he wrote his own rhyme. Sitting out at the Serbelloni you can gaze at the lovely view, where Italy is welded to the Swiss Alps.
Back to Serbellini to meet our friends from NYC/Germany for drinks and dinner. I think Bubs crossed his leg to show his new chews. You go Bub.
What an absolute treat to meet up with Marlies and Jurgen. They picked up his new wheels in Germany and buzzed on down to see us. Even Juregen admits to being frightened on the Italian roads! Ha.
How's that for a view for your birthday dinner Miss Marlies?
And the ever so sweet Marlies brought Bubba a treat from their hometown, Bremer. Now that's a piece of chocolate. He'll have it gone by morning and ready for the other one Marlies. Danke Schoen! Meet you in the morning at the pier. Guten Noben!
