I was up at 6:15 and worked on the blog. Ron got up, but went back to bed, and managed to conk his head on the open window. I had mentioned that it was dangerous, but ..... He was trying to go back to sleep and felt something wrong, touched his head and discovered it was bleeding. He has quite a red mark there.
The hotel had been renovated (about two years ago) since our last visit, and the bathrooms were very modern. The shower was the best we had experienced in our month in the UK and Europe. Super spacious, river rock floor, a niche for shampoo, a rain head and a hand-held shower spray. Best of all it was totally level - no lip or step up. It had the linear drain like we are having installed in our master bathroom.
We went down to breakfast about 8 AM. Tom and Val came about 9 AM. We set off for a walk, and after about a block, I told them to go on. I would sit on a bench and then go back to the hotel. I had the back brace on, but hip and knees were screaming.
There was an ample breakfast buffet with a cook-to-order egg station and Prosecco. While we were waiting for Tom and Val, we had a couple glasses!
The owner helped with the luggage, and then stood outside the door waving good-bye. We had complimented her on the renovations and told her the shower was wonderful!
The traffic coming north toward us was thick as far as the eye could see. We figured it was because it was the Sunday at the end of May and all of the Swiss were heading home from their vacations. Some of the drivers were maniacs. We were traveling around 60 mph on a two-lane road when a northbound car passed and came into our lane. Val screamed. Luckily the shoulder was wide enough that Ron was able to veer over so that the car missed us.
We drove into Lugano to see if any shops were open, as Tom wanted to buy a Swiss Army knife whle still in Switzerland. But, as it was Sunday, everything was closed. I had jotted down the name of a restaurant along Lake Lugano in the town of Valdosa, but when we arrived there was absolutely no place to park (which is usually the problem all along these lakes). Ron drove into a parking garage for a resort overlooking the lake. The garage was terrible - hardly room to maneuver and spaces so small. I really didn't like it, and so he drove out, and then we drove on from there. We ended up stopping in a small village just because there was a place to park.
We walked a short way to a simple little bar/restaurant. I had lasagna and the others had pizza. The best thing about it was the Italian prices - about 7 EU for a whole pizza. A relief from the Swiss sticker shock. Afterward we took some photos and got our first gelatos.
Continued on to Lake Como. Menaggio is the first town you arrive in on the west shore of the lake. We eventually found our apartment, but getting to it was another matter. The drive was very steep and almost impossible to enter coming south. We passed it at least twice, and finally on an approach driving north, Ron was able to pull in. Tom got out and pushed the intercom button, and the lady opened the gate. Squeezing the car in was very scary, and the driveway so steep, you couldn't really see down. Parking in the allotted space was another nightmare. It took a lot of direction from the owner. Pictures later.
The apartment was smaller than expected, but gorgeous views from the balcony. Modern and clean. Large walk-in showers in both bathrooms.
Tom and Val walked into town and got the new ferry schedule (which had just changed on May 28) and some bread, cheese and beer. We sat out on the balcony for cheese, crackers, bread and wine.
The motor scooters and cycles are noisy, but the traffic finally dies down later in the evening. Temperatures higher than expected (or than usual), and no air-con. But we all slept well.
The hotel had been renovated (about two years ago) since our last visit, and the bathrooms were very modern. The shower was the best we had experienced in our month in the UK and Europe. Super spacious, river rock floor, a niche for shampoo, a rain head and a hand-held shower spray. Best of all it was totally level - no lip or step up. It had the linear drain like we are having installed in our master bathroom.
We went down to breakfast about 8 AM. Tom and Val came about 9 AM. We set off for a walk, and after about a block, I told them to go on. I would sit on a bench and then go back to the hotel. I had the back brace on, but hip and knees were screaming.
There was an ample breakfast buffet with a cook-to-order egg station and Prosecco. While we were waiting for Tom and Val, we had a couple glasses!
The owner helped with the luggage, and then stood outside the door waving good-bye. We had complimented her on the renovations and told her the shower was wonderful!
The traffic coming north toward us was thick as far as the eye could see. We figured it was because it was the Sunday at the end of May and all of the Swiss were heading home from their vacations. Some of the drivers were maniacs. We were traveling around 60 mph on a two-lane road when a northbound car passed and came into our lane. Val screamed. Luckily the shoulder was wide enough that Ron was able to veer over so that the car missed us.
We drove into Lugano to see if any shops were open, as Tom wanted to buy a Swiss Army knife whle still in Switzerland. But, as it was Sunday, everything was closed. I had jotted down the name of a restaurant along Lake Lugano in the town of Valdosa, but when we arrived there was absolutely no place to park (which is usually the problem all along these lakes). Ron drove into a parking garage for a resort overlooking the lake. The garage was terrible - hardly room to maneuver and spaces so small. I really didn't like it, and so he drove out, and then we drove on from there. We ended up stopping in a small village just because there was a place to park.
We walked a short way to a simple little bar/restaurant. I had lasagna and the others had pizza. The best thing about it was the Italian prices - about 7 EU for a whole pizza. A relief from the Swiss sticker shock. Afterward we took some photos and got our first gelatos.
Continued on to Lake Como. Menaggio is the first town you arrive in on the west shore of the lake. We eventually found our apartment, but getting to it was another matter. The drive was very steep and almost impossible to enter coming south. We passed it at least twice, and finally on an approach driving north, Ron was able to pull in. Tom got out and pushed the intercom button, and the lady opened the gate. Squeezing the car in was very scary, and the driveway so steep, you couldn't really see down. Parking in the allotted space was another nightmare. It took a lot of direction from the owner. Pictures later.
The apartment was smaller than expected, but gorgeous views from the balcony. Modern and clean. Large walk-in showers in both bathrooms.
 |
| Looking over Menaggio |
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| On our balcony |
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| Jasmine along the driveway |
Tom and Val walked into town and got the new ferry schedule (which had just changed on May 28) and some bread, cheese and beer. We sat out on the balcony for cheese, crackers, bread and wine.
The motor scooters and cycles are noisy, but the traffic finally dies down later in the evening. Temperatures higher than expected (or than usual), and no air-con. But we all slept well.
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