jenmorg

Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello. You sound like your not in the main part of Varenna. There are only 2 small grocery shops in Varenna but there are bigger and cheaper ones in Bellano and mandello. There is a birds of prey show at the castle above Varenna.

bilboburgler

If no aircon, then

1) open the windows away from the sun, close the ones that face the sun
2) think about sleeping at midday and extend the hours of being awake
3) looks like it is hot now and very humid

crazyfamilyof4

Thanks Bilbo! Will try that!and Jenmorg your right we aren't in the main part we are in/on this mountain looking down to Varenna . . not far from either town..literally in the middle of the two but the drive to get here takes a while due to the road being so narrow etc.

will be back later in the day once we have actually done something more then enjoyed the view from the apartment.

bilboburgler

Sorry Crazy, I meant to say close/open the shutters as well, think about how the house will be while you are out and in the morning. The locals will almost harvest the chill airs of the morning!

You may see little duck shaped pieces of plastic (2" x4") lying by windows and doors, if you find them they allow you to jamb the windows in the open position when the window is in the "open at the top mode", (if you don't find them and your windows do not have multiple don't worry and just ignore this section), the ducks are designed to jamb the windows open in case a storm comes through and slambs the windows closed while you sleep/or are out.

crazyfamilyof4

well looks like we wont be going anywhere! We have a flat tyre no spare and the company can't fix the car until 2am! What the! Not impressed that's for sure! But there are worse places to be stranded! AT least we have a pool, food and an incredible view. Time to breathe and just take in the gorgeous view and pray we get at least one day where we can see the other towns!

stevewith

Just be grateful you discovered the flat while the car was parked on your own property.

I wouldn't worry about seeing the other towns on the lake. They are not interesting. The lake is all about the views. Enjoy being an Italian for a few days instead of a tourist.

stevewith

(Before somebody flames me for saying the towns aren't interesting, obviously it can be pleasant to stroll through gardens or dine in the restaurants of the grand hotels. The lakes are a pleasant place, but the main thing is to enjoy the tranquility, and the beauty of scenery. Most Italians would kill for uninterrupted days on the lake with nothing chasing them. They might even turn off their cell phones!)

2010

We will be in Lucca in September for 4 nights so, I read this segment of your trip with great interest! Can't wait but I am stressing out a bit about the hotel parking within the walls. (Website has driving instructions to hotel.) I will definitely take DH with me should we decide to park in a lot outside walls and walk in when we first arrive!

We are also trying to work out a day trip to the Cinque Terre. Looking at a town to park our car and see the Cinque Terre by ferry & stopping for lunch as you did. It's been challenging to figure out where to park in La Spezia - oh, that darn parking issue again! ;-) So, your hint to drive to Levanto was very useful! Thanks!

Hope you have a wonderful stay on Lake Como!

crazyfamilyof4

Your welcome! In regards to parking in Lucca we found it fine inside the walls but literally just inside .. Victoria Emmanuel area... The cost is 1:50euro an hr 8-8... If you get back at any time after 6pm parking will be a lot harder.

In regards to cinque terre we went to the town where the ferry was ... Portoverne ... When I'm on the computer ill check the spelling there was plenty of parking around and if you get there early you might be lucky enough to get a great spot! But they have a wonderf bus service too so it'll work out one way or another.

I am very thankful the flat happened at home and that we had done a big shop! We have had a glorious day of relaxing and swimming in the pool ... It's just a shame we can't walk to anywhere etc as we are up in this mountain our closest town is perledo ... The company said its still seen as part of varenna but I'm not so sure! Regardless the uninterrupted view is truly amazing! I can't stop looking at it! Thank you for letting me know that the view is what's worth seeing ... We were feeling a bit down about not having a car etc. but I'm sure we will get a day or two on the ferry ... I assume I should go to como and bellaggio ... Any suggestions for seafood lunch?

Tulips

We really enjoyed lunch at the terrace of the Hotel Florence in Bellagio. Book ahead. It's right on the lake.

Como has some nice shops. And the boat ride there is lovely, the children can relax on the boat, and you can enjoy the view.

OReilly

Hello Crazyfamilyof 4:

I am thoroughly enjoying your trip report, and have been following from London.

Best regards Ger

drchris

I'm planning a trip to many of the same places you're visiting and am enjoying your report so much! Thanks for sharing the ups and downs of your trip. Lookingforward to reading more!

Elizabeth_S

No spare? How did that happen? How is the rental company?

stevewith

You might be able to find lake fish, not seafood (unless you pay a small fortune for sea food). I'm not sure you want to go all the way down the lake to the town of Como. It is so far.

Something you might consider is walking downhill to Varenna (if there are pedestrian paths and staircases) and then taking the ferry to Bellagio. Most of the restaurants will be quite touristy and pricey. Go for something simple on a back street, since you really don't need to pay for a view (you've already got one of the best).

Then I suggest you take the ferry back to Varenna and get a taxi back up to your place, or a bus if that is possible.

Can you walk to Perledo safely? Especially, can you walk back at night safely?) Here's a restaurant you might want to try if you get tired of cooking. It might be open for lunch too.

http://www.google.it/search?client=s...GdKYhQf7nICYCg

stevewith

Also, apparently some people go hiking from Perledo downhil to Bellano.

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/h...fm?topic=31521

Bellano looks like a nice town if you want to walk there, not touristy at all. The Gorge may be bit dry now unless you get a thunderstorm, but supposedly the gorge is cool. The town used to make a lot of silk, so maybe there are still some shops there.

http://www.lakecomoguide.com/bellano-italy.html

http://www.realpointitaly.com/italia...cation=Bellano

http://www.larioorientale.eu/bellano...zione/?lang=en

stevewith

[PS: I'm afraid I've forgotten how old your kids are, so maybe they are too little to go for very long walks!]

cathies

Steve, they are little, 2 and 4 years.

crazyfamilyof4

The company Europe car is painful! They wouldn't just bring a tyre they had to take the car! So hubby went with them! The story he tells of his life and death experiences with the tow truck driver is hillierous ! Anyway got a tyre ...not a proper one but one that'll do till europcar sends approval or something for the VW version. So we lost a day of site seeing but hey ... These views are breathtaking and we had a pool so it was fine!

Today we drove the car to Varenna station and then walked down to Varenna ...gorgeous town! From here we caught a ferry to menagio and grabbed an ice cream and took this car/train ride over to lenno ...with the plan of seeing the villa b. ... Kids fell asleep on the train so we went for lunch ..by now it was hot! I mean really hot! We didn't know about the water taxi to take us to the villa and when we saw the hike we decided that we should head over to belaggio.

So over we went ... Maybe it was the time of day, maybe it was the heat but I was a little disappointed. I was so looking forward to this place but I found it really expensive and yes there were gorgeous cobbled alleyways up hills but still I preferred so many other places on this trip. I am also so thankful for our p,ace as our view is still the best I have seen!

So back home we headed with our exhausted children who were promised a swim. Quick swim and a home cooked meal. Kids in bed and hubby and I can sit outside and just take in the silence and the view!

Seriously looking into investing in property from this trip...so far I want my portfolio to hold a property in Uzes, Sarlat, Perledo .. I wouldn't say no to Paris but I think that might be greedy I know ..I'm dreaming right!

Tomorrow we plan on swimming in the lake and then heading over to FoxTown! Before you slam me about more shopping just remember I come from Western Australia ...we never get the chance of buying those brands at those prices!

Oh before I forget lunch was in Lenno at this amazing little bar next to an expensive restaurant... The view was exceptional and food was great for the price ..I wish I knew its name but you wouldn't miss it ..it's on the water front literally next door to a restaurant.

stevewith

Do be careful about swimming in the lake. It can be unexpectedly deep, or with very slippery areas underfoot, and feel very cold as compared to the air temps. You shouldn't go swimming in isolated places. Only go where you see other people swimming with small children.

cathies

Claire, when you are home, we need to have a 'chat' about Internet shopping. Everything is available online these days!