LAKE COMO
The two girls from Texas in a car checked out of our 6 week home in Umbria and headed north.
Gwenne was with us for this next "leg" of our trip. As you may recall, the "two girls from Texas in a car" had an embarrassing amount of luggage - well, because of all of this baggage, another passenger, and her luggage (which was light), we had to rent a small car!!! It is so embarrassing, but we have to "come clean". In Europe, the car drop off fee to another country is outlandish, so therefore we crafted an elaborate plan to avoid paying a $2,000 one way drop off fee. We rented a car in Umbria;I drove it to Lake Como;dropped the car at the Milan airport;flew to Stockholm; rented a car in Stockholm; drove to southern Sweden; met Gwenne and Katherine; drove back to Stockholm, and turned in the car!!! Can you believe it? It is true. We thought of many different scenarios , however this was the most "efficient".
Lake Como is a large glacial lake in Northern Italy. It is the 3rd largest lake in Italy. It has been a regular retreat for aristocrats since Roman times, so of course, a destination for "two girls", and Gwenne - now "three girls". We stayed in Varenna, which is in the intersection of 3 branches of the lake. Varenna, is a small town with a population of 1,200. The town had a wonderful paved pathway that circled the lake. The beauty of this area, was exquisite. The lake is surrounded by tall peaks of the Dolomites that have carpets of greenery lining the tops. The ferries run regularly to each of the small towns that line the shores.
We visited Bellagio which has beautiful gardens. the Villa Melzi d'Eril, was built in 1808 as the summer residence of the Duke. It has an orangery,private chapel, statues and a Japanese garden. Guests included Stendal,Franz Liszt, and the "three girls".
Many celebrities have homes on Lake Como - Madonna, George Clooney, Versace, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Branson. Could this be George Clooney's house??
Arrivederci to Italy - and now to Sweden!!
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