Lake Iseo – our previous destination – as well as the lovely wedding event our good friends had was a difficult act to follow, however I believe where we are in this regular edition is a quite great follow-up.
We’re still amongst the Italian lakes as well as have lastly come back to Lake Como. It’s been five long years since we were last right here however it’s much better than we remembered. We’re staying on the western shores of Como, at Tremezzo, in a hotel that epitomises Italian beauty as well as appears like it’s from a set of a Wes Anderson movie.
After Lake Como, we head to Switzerland (just) to Lake Lugano, which straddles the Italian as well as Swiss borders. The views from this lake are quite special too, so I hope you’re prepared for a travel bug bite!
We hope you enjoy this regular Edition.
Jim & Christina xx
We’ve been invited to stay at the stunning Grand hotel Tremezzo as well as we do not hesitate in stating YES. We’ve been dreaming of this hotel since featuring it in our top hotel pools as well as we’re lastly here.
There are really three pools at the Grand hotel Tremezzo – the floating pool on Lake Como, the flower Pool, hidden in the landscaped gardens behind the hotel, as well as an infinity pool that’s partially inside your home as part of their medical spa that looks out over the lake as well as the mountains beyond.
We’re staying in a lake view space on the second floor as well as have a full evaluation to come, however in this regular edition we want to share just a few moments from our stay.
When we travel, I always like to get as much as photograph the sunrise. It’s so relaxed as well as peaceful on the lake, the ferries are just beginning as well as the hotel is just waking up. From bed, Jim has snapped this pic of me as well as I always want to keep in mind this feeling – untidy hair, camera in hand, breathing in a new day.
The Grand hotel Tremezzo offers a turn-down service as well as it’s these bit touches that make this hotel so special. It has all the appeal from when it was very first opened in 1910, mixed with the contemporary advantages we requirement as 21st century travellers. We’ve liked our stay right here as well as are already planning a return trip.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair here, as well as when you’re seated on the terrace with a coffee, you don’t truly want to leave.
I have to have a crepe made fresh by the chef, though I’m likewise lured by the tables of pastries. Cannoli for breakfast? indeed please! (Can you tell I have a bit of a sugar addiction?)
Jim’s all about the cheese table as well as he’s going back for seconds of the smoked swordfish carpaccio. The breakfast buffet is out of manage here.
As great hotel reviewers, we feel obliged to test out every part of the hotel (it’s a tough life!) so next headed to “The Beach” – the sandy beach bar as well as pool on Lake Como itself.
We can attest that the sun-loungers are incredible comfortable. It’s extremely difficult to tear ourselves away from here. The views from the pool are spectacular as well as it turns into a mini wave pool when the hydrofoil zooms by, rocking the whole pool, which is actually floating on the lake.
Only one guy might pull us away from testing out all the pools at the hotel, as well as that’s our captain, Vito.
He’s waiting to take us on a tour of Lake Como aboard the lovely Ruy. Ruy was developed in 1961 in Venice as well as lovingly brought back by the household who own the Grand hotel Tremezzo. guests can book the boats for tours as well as transfers, as well as we can’t suggest this enough.
So much of Lake Como is finest seen from the water, such as villa del Balbionella, which you may recognise from such films as Casino Royale as well as star Wars.
You can drive around the lake, however the point of view from the water is amazing. This boat tour needs its own publish to truly show off the beauty of the villas as well as the scenery here. keep an eye out for a video coming soon…
You can tell from Jim’s deal with that he is hating it. I’m in a dream as well. I heard that a regional said: “when an Italian gets to heaven, he’ll be disappointed.” When it comes to days such as this on Lake Como, I can see his point.
After coming back down to earth, we head across the lake to see exactly how Varenna has altered since our last visit. We can happily share it is the same! This wonderful bit town on the eastern shore of Lake Como is an simple train trip from Milan and has one of the very best gelato shops.
It’s nothing to look at from the outside, however you can take a seat on the stairs next door as well as eat some divine gelati. We can suggest the dark chocolate with ginger – I know, we weren’t sure about this either up until we tasted it, however it was incredible. The dark chocolate was rich as well as the perfect mix of wonderful as well as bitter, while the ginger added a tasty hint of warm as well as spice.
Jim’s showing you precisely where to sit to enjoy gelato in Varenna!
We roam the small alleys as well as stairways of this lakeside town up until dinner as well as catch the ferry back over to Tremezzo. This part of Lake Como is perfect for day trips, though I might spend days in the Grand hotel Tremezzo without having to leave.
Between Tremezzo as well as Varenna you’ll discover Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como.
This lovely town can feel full quickly with day-trippers however as the sun sets, it’s a gorgeous area to wander. crowds die down as well as the town becomes relaxed when again.
Two streets over from here, we discover a perfect aperitivo area at bstyle food & wine. It’s down a small stairway with tables for two developed into the walls outside. They’re focused on food as well as wine that’s all locally sourced. Their cheese as well as meat platter is superb. as well as they make a excellent negroni too.
And before we understand it, our time in Como is coming to an end. What a whirlwind trip it has been as well as we have liked every moment.
Though it’s not goodbye, as we promise we will be back on our next spin in Italy.
So with only two days left before we fly back to England, we make a last minute decision to tick off a new country for Jim: Switzerland!
Did you understand it’s less than an hour’s drive to Switzerland from Como? For an Australian, this still blows my mind. I’m utilized to driving 6 hours as well as still being in the exact same state!
We begin the steep drive with the hills across to Lugano. I count the hairpin turns as we navigate across the border as well as catch a glimpse of Lake Lugano.
This part of Switzerland is truly rather Italian, as well as Lake Lugano sits right across the border with Italy.
Lake Lugano is famed for its emerald waters we can see why.
Around the shoreline in Lugano is a lovely tree-lined promenade. We’re not sure if the Swiss likewise have a “passegiata” custom like the Italians, however this area is perfect for it.
Passegiata a lovely custom – something I desire more countries would take on. just after sunset, particularly in the southern regions of Italy, regional households come out to stroll the streets of their town. They grab a bite to eat, catch up with good friends as well as chat.
We think about hopping on the ferry to check out the lake however we understand we have more time to do that later. instead we head into the archways of via Nassa as well as the Quartiere Maghetti in browse of lunch.
How might we walk past this deli? Gabbani is a bit of an organization with it’s fresh food stores, restaurant as well as hotel in the city centre.
It’s difficult when you’re married to a photographer, as well as Jim is waiting patiently while I’m enjoying the street photography scene in Lugano.
Don’t worry, I didn’t make him wait as well long before we take a seat at Gabbani for lunch.
Jim’s lunch isn’t the most photogenic however it’s the most delicious. From memory it’s a potato soup with caramelised calamari, as well as it’s incredible.
The addition of fresh cacioricotta cheese is why I have to order this pasta. completely cooked as well as with a rich, extravagant ragu. Yum!
Jim is having the very best time driving around here. I like playing navigator as well as discovering a new method for us to go. It was quite tight around here, however the views were worth it.
We’re pleased we have one more day to check out this gorgeous part of Europe as well as after a quick google search, I see we’re close to Morcote. It was crowned Switzerland’s prettiest village in 2016 as well as they weren’t wrong.
South of Lugano, Morcote is a stunning bit town. On top of the village you’ll discover the church of Santa Maria del Sasso as well as there are stunning views over the lake.
Around the edge of the lake are dotted adorable bit cafes as well as restaurants. We’re likewise right here at the exact same time as a traditional cars and truck rally comes with the town which is so fun to see.
Wandering the small back lanes of Morcote, I hear this adorable feline phone call out to me as well as pop his head out of the window. He’s extremely adorable however as I pat him he starts to roll over as well as I believed he was going to autumn out of the window!
I have to utilize my arm to keep him on the ledge as well as I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to get away. however luckily Jim’s caught this shot as well as ultimately the feline moves so we can keep exploring.
We end up at this stylishly overgrown garden terrace – La Terrazza sul Lago – for lunch of whitebait, caprese salad as well as fresh gnocchi. extremely recommended.
So that’s a short update (I tried!) of our time in Lake Como as well as Lake Lugano, as well as I’ve only just scratched the surface.
We’ll have travel guides, evaluations as well as more coming soon.
If you’re looking for a charming destination, this should be top of your list.
Thanks for making it this far down in my mega version of our regular Edition. See you next week.