Hello dear friend and subscriber,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and happy!
It’s very hot here today, but Paris is perched on the fringes of the heat dome, as temperatures are supposed to stay beneath the 32°C mark. Yet, even within this relatively acceptable climate, the prospect of an escape to a cool paradise amidst the summer's heat, a place of incredible beauty, is more than tempting. Curious as to where this haven lies?
Let’s discover it in the below Mum’s narrative:
“Last summer, our journey found us cruising along the motorway, the ultimate destination being Milan, from where we were scheduled to take a flight back to Paris. Merely a day prior, we had enjoyed an open-air opera spectacle hosted within the Verona Arena. Our conversation danced around the performance, entwined with a tinge of disgruntlement over the vehicular gridlock – a familiar sight on the motorway and our punctuality slipping through our fingers. In the blink of an eye, an accident unfolded directly before us, extinguishing any prospects of making our rendezvous with our flight and returning to Paris that day.
"Shall we pause by the lake?" my friend proposed.
The idea resonated instantly. Lake Como, nestled near Milan, came upon both of our minds.
As the afternoon began to end, Bellagio finally welcomed us, securing a petite room within a hotel that stretched our financial bounds, perhaps the sole vacant spot in this bustling season. Its dimensions were compact, taxing our movements, yet it yielded all requisite amenities within its confines, even gracing us with a tiny balcony with a view over the lake.
After dropping our luggage and freshening up, we proceeded to the town centre for a leisurely walk along the picturesque streets of Bellagio. Our next move was to embark on a ferry ride—an option available for circumnavigating the lake while allowing passengers to disembark at any desired point to explore a chosen place. The plan was to visit at least one of the fishing villages and admire the opulent villas and their resplendent gardens.
These villas have often been enlisted as cinematic backdrops, notably in the films like Ocean's Twelve, Casino Royale, and Star Wars.
Our descent led us to Varenna, a quaint fishing village, where we briefly strolled along the lake. Then embarking again, we retraced our route back to Bellagio, searching for a good restaurant. Shunning the congested and steeply-priced eateries that populated the town, we decided on a different plan – the cable car ride – hoping to find an authentic dining gem nestled within one of the high-altitude villages encircling the lake.
Fortune favoured us upon arrival in Brunate. A charming trattoria materialised in a village square, seemingly plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. An al fresco table awaited us beneath the shade of lime trees as we were treated to a simple yet gratifying meal – a savoury mushroom risotto accompanied by freshly grilled fish sourced directly from the lake that day. A glass of local white wine complemented the delicious dinner, contributing to an evening forever lingering in our memories. Regretfully, we reluctantly departed Brunate, heading back to Bellagio as the night unfolded.
It was well past the hour, the ferry had ceased its operations, compelling us to navigate a narrow and meandering road that descended from a dizzying height of over 700 meters. Nevertheless, we had no regret, for at each twist and turn, the lake would reveal itself beneath the gleaming starlight, presenting us with an array of awe-inspiring vistas.
During that night—or rather, in the early morning hours—our balcony hosted an unexpected duo of seagulls. With grace, they alighted, serenading us with their symphony of the waterfront. This occurrence served as an unexpected bonus to our short but enchanting sojourn along the shores of Como Lake, a melodious gift that harmonised seamlessly with the lake's tranquil rhythm.”
Thus concludes Mum's travel narrative. I don't know about you, but I am convinced that a journey to that place is a must. Dining within a restaurant akin to a fairytale, being serenaded by the songs of seagulls, and perhaps indulging in a spot of fishing on the lake—all these temptations offer an enticing escape from the relentless heat. I am resolute in my decision to embark on this adventure as early as tomorrow!
Thank you, dear friend, for being my faithful subscriber!
Until you next Sunday,
Your loving writer,
Freddy
Oh you have just taken me on a journey to the place of my dreams. It’s the one place in Italy I would love to visit and you have described your experience beautifully. I’m very envious. xx❤️