This is not me...but a Ferry boat on Lake Maggiore in
Italy...
Bob and Tania left Florida on April 6,
2007 to return to me in Horta. They decided to spend a
few days in northern Italy on the way back in order to enjoy
that area when it was less crowded with tourists...
They were lucky once again as the weather was
spectacular and the spring flowers like Wisteria, Cherry
Blossoms, Pansies, Lilacs, Poppies, Tulips, etc. were in
full bloom. The result was an amazing color pallet
against the sprigs of grape vines throughout the region...
Upon arrival to Milan (Malpensa Airport), Bob rented a car and
they took off. They spent the night at the Locanda dei Mai
Intees in Azzate in the Varese region. It was so peaceful
there that after a great meal they ended up sleeping until 12:30
the next day (to be awakened by a maid wanting to clean the
room). They checked out (good thing they allowed late
checkouts...) and went off exploring the area.
Here is Bob in the courtyard of
the Locanda dei Mai Intees in Azzate, Italy (Varese Region) and a
view of the incredible
Lake Como.
First off to Lake Como, which was very beautiful. After
getting a bit lost they ended up at the Swiss border where Bob
talked the toll takers out of charging 30 Euro for a sticker and
they proceeded to U-turn back to Italy. Then they headed
to Lake Maggiore which they had heard a lot about. After
stumbling into the Hotel Bel Sit (which turned out to be a real
find) they relaxed on one of the huge patios and watched a
swan attack a small float plane (they can be a bit
territorial...)
After and early start the next
morning they headed down the coast to Genoa, Portofino, and
spent the night in a new hotel called the Hotel Noblesse (a five
star in the heart of Lucca). It was small but very
accommodating . Lucca is a medieval walled city where at
one time 99 churches existed within the walls (2.5 miles around
the wall). It was fun climbing up the Torre Guinigi (which
has 6 Ilex trees growing out of it's roof) and seeing the
incredible architecture of the church at San Michele in Foro.
After exploring Lucca it was time to head south to Pisa.
