Ferry to Bellagio, Varenna, then to get home, Menaggio Bellagio, then finally Cadenabbia (changes of ferry)s

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We decided to skip the abysmal breaky today and start our day with an all day ferry ticket and went to Bellagio for breakfast – croissant and hot chocolate. As it was close to 11am John thought an ice coffee would start the day just right. It was an espresso cup with one of those slushy machine icy things in it, not at all resembling the ice coffee’s/chocolates from home!

Next ferry took us to Verenna, which would have been a beautiful spot to stay, but we think from memory it was difficult to get to the hotel from the train with bags. Beautiful beautiful town, lots of photos attached.

John had read about a castle which was high up behind the town, so we decided to walk up and asked a local for directions, and he said not to take the road, but a small path beside the Hotel Monte Carlo entrance. We asked if it was steep and he said 'no, no, just the first bit, then is okay – nice forest walk’ indicating a windy path with his hand. Well, it was a vertical incline for about 2km, on pebble cobbles. I don’t know which part he classed as the first bit, as there was only one spot it seemed to flatten out for a short period.

The castle at the top was a ruin, but a majestic view, and worth the hot climb, then the climb to the top of the turret, which has been restored and the steps cared for. The white figures in the photos are what they call castle 'ghosts’ which they create each summer by wrapping tourists in bandages and white chalk, then when dry they remove them from the person. The snow in the winter then disintegrates them ready for new ones the following summer.

The lake temperature is cooler here than Lake Maggiore was, although there are still people playing and frolicking in the water. It is so beautiful and clear and lots of fish visible.

We are off to Venice tomorrow, so that is exciting, and we are packed up and ready to go.

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Photos

Up the path
View from halfway up path, I don't know if you can tell how high we are, but it was very steep

mini ute
John thinks he needs one of these mini utes for his Bunnings runs