Six weeks in Europe – Germany, Italy, Greece and more

[RooFlyer]

Perfect picture presentation .

 

[JohnM]

Perfect picture presentation .

The Master has bestowed a great compliment .

 

[biba]

Menaggio. Arrived at Como San Giovanni station then transferred to the local bus for the trip to Menaggio. Amazing drive up the lake through small villages and passing some impressive mansions. The road is narrow and traffic lights are installed in some sections to allow one way only. Spending three nights at Hotel Bellavista right on the lake. This is a great spot as it is centrally located on the lake with easy access by ferry to other towns across the lake.

 

[biba]

Perfect picture presentation .

Thanks RooFlyer - glad your enjoying.

 

[love_the_life]

Really enjoying reading your TR. Looking at travelling in 2016 so all info lapped up

 

[biba]

Bellagio. Took the obligatory ferry ride across to Bellagio. This place is crowded and expensive but still was worth the trip (just to say: been there, done that). Lunch at Ristorante Antico Pozzo which is situated half way up the hill in one of the narrow laneways. The restaurant is in a courtyard which gives a feeling of space which is not usually found in some of the other restaurants in this area. Busy with good service and great food.

 

[JohnM]

Bellagio. Took the obligatory ferry ride across to Bellagio. This place is crowded and expensive but still was worth the trip (just to say: been there, done that). Lunch at Ristorante Antico Pozzo which is situated half way up the hill in one of the narrow laneways. The restaurant is in a courtyard which gives a feeling of space which is not usually found in some of the other restaurants in this area. Busy with good service and great food.
View attachment 56921

Bellissimo! .

 

[Jacques Vert]

Bellagio. Took the obligatory ferry ride across to Bellagio. This place is crowded and expensive but still was worth the trip (just to say: been there, done that). Lunch at Ristorante Antico Pozzo which is situated half way up the hill in one of the narrow laneways. The restaurant is in a courtyard which gives a feeling of space which is not usually found in some of the other restaurants in this area. Busy with good service and great food.
View attachment 56921

Brings back some nice memories. Enjoying the TR.

 

[biba]

Villa Carlotta. Beautiful, well-preserved villa by the lake at Tremezzo. The interior is furnished in period style with numerous art works (paintings and sculpture). Extensive gardens around the villa with different themed sections with magnificent views across the lake. Spent a few hours here exploring the gardens and the three levels of the villa. The villa is accessible by the regular bus that travels from Como to Menaggio or by ferry from Bellagio.

 

[biba]

Menaggio to Milan. Time to leave the picture-perfect Lake Como. Could certainly spend more time here – maybe next time. Local bus to Como San Giovanni station then train to Milano Garibaldi. Staying at Holiday Inn Garibaldi across the road from the station. Using IHG reward points for this stay. The hotel is a little way out from the centre but tram No. 2 leaves from outside the hotel and goes to Duomo. What to say about Milan – all about fashion – so chic (not sure what is chic in Italian). This photo shows the two doctrines here in Milan.

 

[viccam]

Great report, where do you find the time to post ! It's an amazing part of Europe, the Alps, Lakes and towns. Enjoy.
Your the envy of many.

 

[biba]

Great report, where do you find the time to post ! It's an amazing part of Europe, the Alps, Lakes and towns. Enjoy.
Your the envy of many.

I try to post something for each new destination. Travelling by train provides a bit a of spare time if the scenery is not that interesting. With digital photography I tend to take too many pictures. I remember the days when I had to pay for the film and pay for the processing so I made sure every photo was special. Not so now as it easy to discard the bad ones.

 

[biba]

Milan to Cinque Terre. The next train trip is from Milan to Sestri Levanti, via Genoa, then the local train to Manarola.

 

[biba]

Cinque Terre consists of 5 small villages each built on the side of the hill flowing down to the rocky shore. Amazing and beautiful place. Staying at Hotel Marina Piccola, a newly renovated hotel by the sea at Manarola. Very modern décor and our top floor room has views across the bay. The Cinque Terre national park is known for its many walks, but it is disappointing to find that many of the coastal walks are closed for maintenance and looks like they have been closed for some time. Another way to get around is to catch the local train which stops at each of the villages which are only minutes apart. Had time to visit Monterosso, Vernazza and Riomaggiore. All towns have narrow winding roads leading down to the sea with brightly coloured houses built either side up the hills. Very busy with tourists but most are day trippers from La Spezia and not staying in the area.

 

[JohnM]

The Cinque Terre national park is known for its many walks, but it is disappointing to find that many of the coastal walks are closed for maintenance and looks like they have been closed for some time.

It's a perennial issue. They keep getting land slips. To do the full 5-town hike is a SERIOUS venture in summer, I can assure you from personal experience!

 

[biba]

Next stop: Perugia. A series of local trains via Pisa and Firenze to arrive at the capital of Umbria. An amazing town. Perched on top of a hill with magnificent views across the Umbrian landscape. So much history here – crammed with museums and galleries. The Galleria naz_onale is the pick of the bunch.

The easiest way to travel up the hill from the railway station is using the mini metro - a driverless smaller version of the monorail – so cute. Staying at Brufani Hotel – disappointed as it is over-rated and expensive but is in the centre of town and close to everything. A great variety of food in Perugia. This is truffle country so many of the local dishes are made with black truffles. The best pizza we found was at a Mediterranea – a small restaurant that serves only pizza – so many selections and delicious.

 

[amaroo]

Staying at Brufani Hotel – disappointed as it is over-rated and expensive but is in the centre of town and close to everything.

Hmm, doesn't sound good but confirms my suspicions. We've got a booking here for a couple of nights later this year.

 

[biba]

It's a perennial issue. They keep getting land slips. To do the full 5-town hike is a SERIOUS venture in summer, I can assure you from personal experience!

The Via dell’Amore which is an easy walk from Manarola to Riomaggiore is closed they say until 2017. The alternative is a seriously steep climb up the inland route but the views are spectacular. Also the trail to Corniglia is closed due to a land slip.

 

[biba]

Hmm, doesn't sound good but confirms my suspicions. We've got a booking here for a couple of nights later this year.

There were bits of the shower falling off and the jets in the spa bath did not work so, after complaining, they moved us to another smaller room (downgrade). Everything seems to be for show but they don't worry too much about the details. The location of the hotel is excellent though.

 

[biba]

Took a day trip to Assisi on Sunday. The place was packed with tourists and pilgrims with a large service held at Basilica of Saint Francis. Tour buses lining the streets. The crowds started to thin out in the afternoon. Maybe it would be less crowded during the week days? A long walk up the hill from the station to the old town with the pathway lined with thousands of bricks with inscriptions of donors. The local bus is cheap and easier.