June 1 - Varenna

Another beautiful day on Lake Como. Just looking at the lake and the gardens in the surrounding homes is so peaceful.

Neighbor below us to left

Owner's garden. She cuts leaves each day 

Tom and Val set off on the ferry to Villa Carlotta in the nearby town of Cadenabbia/Tremezzo. It is considered one of the top sights to visit on Lake Como - a lovely villa and gardens. I would have loved to see it, but the concensus of Ron and Tom was that I couldn't manage TWO events in one day. I, reluctantly, agreed and  decided to skip Carlotta and visit Varenna later than afternoon.

Varenna is the town directly opposite Menaggio, The only problem was getting to the ferry station. Ron would be glad to drive, but there is absolutely no parking. Cabs, for some reason, do not want to come up to our apartment for local trips. We walked all the way down, which about did me in.

Resting on walk down

When we got to the bottom of the hill, we stopped for a glass of wine - gorgeous view.

Menaggio lakeside

We boarded the ferry, and decided just to stand on the level with the vehicles instead of climbing stairs since it was such a short journey (about 15-minutes).

On the ferry

Wind=blown on the ferry

Coming into Varenna

We had agreed to meet Tom and Val at Café Varenna, which I had read was "near" the ferry docks. My idea of "near" and the reviews did not agree, but it was worth the walk. Not for the café, but for the views. A sign indicated it was 200-meters (a bit more than two football fields) to the piazza where I thought the restaurant was. Ron told me to sit on a bench and he would go ahead to make sure. After I sat a few minutes I began walking along the beautiful path, and ended up meeting him just as he was starting back.

All things Lavender

Flowers in Varenna

Walking along the shore in Varenna (reminded me of Cinque Terre)

Varenna lake side

The walk entailed going up a cobblestone bridge and back down - hanging on to the railing. When we reached the restaurant, we preferred the menu in the adjacent one, but it closed at 2 PM and they could not accommodate us.

Typical staircase up in Varenna 

Near where we stopped at restaurant

So, we settled into uncomfortable metal chairs at the Café Varenna. Couldn't beat the view, directly on the shore of the lake. We ordered a bottle of wine, and Ron was hungry, so ordered a soup.

Ron's soup called "cereal and vegetable" (mainly beans)

Tom and Val arrived about 2:45, and we had a light lunch. I had spaghetti carbonara, which was much too dry. Tom and Ron had lasagna and  Val had penne pasta.

Afterward we walked a bit, and went into a nice shop that had an amazing variety of stones and necklaces. Val and I both got a pendant.

Tom and Val in jewelry shop

Tom and me in Varena

Ron and I headed back to the ferry dock, while Tom and Val stayed to meander and browse in the shops. We stopped to rest, but saw the ferry and managed to catch it without waiting another hour. Back in Menaggio, we stopped off at the Grand Hotel Menaggio, mainly because I couldn't walk any further. We sat near the pool (on the lake) and had a glass of wine.

Rested here with beverage

Waited here for taxi

The hotel kindly called for a taxi. We had to wait 15-20 minues, but that was better than struggling up the hill!

Tom and Val hadn't stayed that long in Varenna, and ended up "home" before us. Later that evening, they walked down the hill and brought back two pizzas. The boxes were adorable, and the pizzas just so-so. But, it was enough to satisfy any hunger and made a nice end to a busy day.

Pizza Boxes