Bongiorno Italy! Hello expensive 50 euro tolls!
#1 Cinque Terre
White nights in La Spezia, Cinque Terre.
Italian fashion 🙂
Tips: In all 5 villages in Cinque Terre, parking is limited and expensive. Take the train. For 10 euros, you can hop on hop off for one day and see all the villages.
Visit Portovenere. It’s a beautiful short trip from La Spezia.
#2 Lake Como
“When you want to write the story of two happy lovers, choose the shores of Lake Como as your setting” Franz Liszt.
Tips:
Stay in Abadia Lariana at Le Colombine bed and breakfast. We loved it.
Remember, the drive around the lake is best done clockwise. And make sure you have enough time. The speed limit is usually 40 km/hour, there are lots of cars and the drive is 200 km long.
Many villas are owned by famous people like Versace, George Clooney or Richard Branson. So, they are not open to the public. However, some are and those are worth visiting.
Stop in Tremezzo to see Villa Carlotta, famous mostly for its vast gardens.
Don’t miss Villa Balbaniello.
Walk around Bellagio village and feel the glamour.
Go for a hike.
One option is to start in Rongio, a small place near Mandello del Lario. After 1 hour you’ll reach Grotta dell’acqua bianca. From there, you can continue on the trail to Gardata for another 4 hours. It is a difficult climb, but with amazing views of the mountains and of the lake. The return trip is easier as it is all downhill and it will take you about 3 hours. I loved it and it was one of the best days of my life!
Another option starts at Somana, from where you start walking for about 1 hour to Santa Maria, then for another 2 hours to Alpe D’Era. It is easier and equally scenic.
Once you had enough, from Lake Como you can drive for an hour and get to Milano. Bye-bye nature, welcome shopping!
No matter what you choose, in Italy there is beauty surrounding you everywhere.
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