ARCHITECTURE + AIRBORNE European Travels: VARENNA, LAGO DI COMO, ITALIA

October 31- November 1, 2015
Lake Como was on our list of must see places for most of our time in Italy and we couldn't leave without a visit. After looking into several beautiful towns we finally decided on Varenna for Halloween weekend and we brought along our friends, Rich, Michelle and Dom.

Napping during the photo: Dominic

Varenna is a compact town with ferry access to many of the other beautiful towns along Lake Como. The bright buildings tightly line the hills that cascade into the lake while narrow stairs lead visitors from the upper area to the passerella [boardwalk] along the water. There is not much to do in Varenna, but it is a wonderful little place to spend a relaxing weekend hanging around and taking in the views. Some sights worth seeing are Villa Monestero, Castello di Vezio, S. Giovanni Battista, Saint Giorgio, Chiesa di San Giorgio and Chiesa die Santi Nazaro E Celso. Or, if you are like us, you sit in the sun while overlooking the lake and sipping on some wine.

I had thought that we could maybe take the ferry over to Bellagio but we ended up staying in Varenna and then heading to Lecco the next day. I suppose Bellagio will be saved for our next trip to Italy.

Driving around the lake

Autumn colors everywhere

Varenna waterfront

Contemplating playing in the water

Never stops begging

<3 Illy espresso

Gelato per favore!

Sunset

View from our rental

Sunset from our rental

Autumn

Villa Monastero

Lecco was a quick stop on our way back to Vicenza. It is a larger, more modern city along the eastern waterfront of Lake Como. It grew during the Industrial Revolution during the 18th century and is an important Italian industrial center.

The city is surrounded by picturesque mountains and is full of monuments, both ancient and modern. Lecco is known to have been loved by many artists and architects and was mentioned in the novel I Promessi Sposi by Manzoni. I found the city to be nice, but not as pretty as Varenna. They were having an art festival on the day that we visited, with booths set up along the waterfront. Autumn on Lake Como is definitely beautiful!