Left Milan on Monday and stopped at Bergamo on the way to Bellagio which would be our home for the next 3 nights. Bergamo was a very pleasant surprise… the “newer city”, the old upper town (Citta Alta), and further up the hill accessible by funicular, the San Vigilio neighborhood with numerous villas.

San Vigilio, upper city, Bergamo

Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore, one of four churches in one small square in Citta Alta, Bergamo

Statue and relics of Pope John the 23rd who was born in Bergamo… at the The Cathedral at Bergamo

The incredible view of Lake Como from our hotel window in Bellagio… hard to believe it is real… an enchanted place…

Visited Villa Balbianello in Lenno by boat from across the lake… an incredibly beautiful 18th century villa and its beautiful formal Italian gardens that were left to the Italian National Trust by Guido Monsino who impeccably restored the villa before he died young at 60. Guido was an explorer and mountaineer who did 22 expeditions including one to the North Pole and the first Italian ascent of Mt. Everest. Quite an interesting story told by a passionate local guide (Rita) who imagines herself to be Guido’s wife. The Villa was used as a location in several movies… A Month by the Lake, Casino Royale, and Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Guido’s gift to the world was restoring and donating this amazing villa so that generations to come could enjoy its history and beauty. Reminds me of the Huntingtons and Belle Baruch leaving their legacies to the Waccamaw Neck.

Villa Balbianello from the water

The location where Anakin and Padme kissed in Star Wars…

At Villa Balbianello

 

Visited Villa Carlotta whose gem is its botanical gardens. They actually take tropical plants (palm trees and ferns for instance) in and out of the ground in pots to protect them from the winter.  An incredible garden that reminded us of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. Many of the plants that are native to this area are the same as in coastal SC- azalea, magnolia, camellia… azalea season just ending with roses gloriously blooming away! Breathing in the beauty and wonder!

Gardeners at Villa Carlotta using ropes and pulleys to plant a fern for the spring and summer season. Quite an amazing process!

Today we toured the historic center of Bellagio, La Punta at the end of the peninsula, the gardens of Villa Melzi and the town of Varenna across the lake.

We had a wonderful surprise as we met our guide Rita’s 92 year old mother-in-law, Vanda, who was on her way to light her daily candle at church. Her home which has been passed down for generations had an amazing view at the end of the peninsula.

View from Vanda’s home…

Villa Melzi’s English garden…

Varenna

Gardens at Villa Monastero in Varenna… narrow gardens along the lake shore.

Bellagio from the ferry back from Varenna

Keith’s new Italian hat… a different look from the baseball cap…

Ciao… off to Brescia and Mantova tomorrow. Will be hard to leave this incredible place! Bellisimo!