Our summer holidays in Italy last year couldn’t start better than with a weekend at Lake Como! Read more about how we spent two days here!
We drove from Belgium through France and stopped to sleep over in a B&B in Mulhouse. In the morning, we got our croissant with coffee and a baguette for the picnic on the way in town, had a short walk in the city center – quite picturesque I have to say!
Right after this morning French interlude and continued through the Old Gotthard Pass to Lago di Como. The views were breathtaking! There was a light breeze and in one of the highest points, we stopped for lunch to enjoy it for a moment. This was Steven’s favorite part of the road. I really recommend it – instead of being stuck in the traffic jams in the tunnel, you get a wonderful experience!
We arrived to Cadenabbia at Como Lake, shortly before dinner time, hungry of course. From there we took the ferry to Bellagio but before heading to the hotel, we decided to go to eat to Steven’s favorite place to eat in Trattoria Antica Molina in the little village of Molina di Faggeto Lario. The food was delicious, simple but sooo good! A beautiful authentic place with handmade lace decorations on the wall.
We stayed in a cozy authentic hotel and restaurant Albergo La Genzianella. It is situated near the forest up the hill above Bellagio, far from the crowds. The people were very welcoming but unfortunately, we did not manage to stay for eating.
After waking up in the mountains above the lake, we drove downhill to Bellagio and shortly visited the overcrowded town which was pretty, but it was just too much of crowd. Little streets with little boutiques and restaurants going uphill are typical for this town.
In the afternoon, we took a ferry to the other side in order to visit the jewel of Como, Villa Balbianello. It was so hot that day and so the walk from the parking through the forest was quite refreshing. Incredible views from the gardens of that place.
Walking out from Villa Balbianello, we dipped our feet into the lake and then we passed by Torno, another town at the shore of Como. The plan was to eat on the terrace of Vapore restaurant but that was full. Never mind. We ended up a few steps further, in Bar Italia Tornoallariva, also with a view of the small harbor.
On Sunday, we drove from Bellagio to Molina to see it in the daylight. What a joy after the crowded places to be in the middle of a quiet and small town uphill, observing the local life on the hill overlooking the Como Lake! There is also a small playground with a swing and a lovely view of the lake, which made us quite happy too. 🙂
We then spent last night at the cottage in the mountains above Bellagio before heading towards our holiday destination in Tuscany coast – more to come!
