Bellagio (Lake Como), Italy: For our adventure today, we took a ferry across the lake to Villa Carlotta.
Lake Como ferry
Villa CarlottaBuilt at the end of the 17th century, the estate was purchased by politician Gian Battista Sommariva in 1801 and Sommariva decorated the villa with his extensive art collection. Later the property was purchased Princess Marianne of Nassau, as a wedding gift to her teen daughter, Carlotta.
Though the villa is extraordinary (no photos allowed inside), the gardens are magnificent and after an hour or so inside the villa, we spent the rest of the morning walking around the garden. Over 2,000 varieties of camellias alone are featured, along with thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas. (Obviously, we need to return in the spring!)
The view from the "front porch" and the Birthday Boy -we celebrated Martin's birthday today!
Pathway on the way to the front door of the villa
We really enjoyed watching the turtles in a pond fight for a spot in the sun.
Shirley calls this photo "Bored Boys".Below are photos of DT in a grotto with spouting gnomes, an old olive press under preservation.
After spending the morning in the gardens at Villa Carlotta, we walked through the town of Tremezzo - home of the pretty Tremezzo Hotel.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo Hotel
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo has a floating swimming pool (in the lake)and a (man made) sand beach area for hotel guests.
We walked along the pretty shore
My attempt at artsy photography
Shirley, with the Birthday Boy -with Bellagio to the left and Villa Melzi on the right.
Yes, another mixed salad with tuna
And cannelloni with vegetables (inside) and a little beef ragu (on top)
And then we went back to Beautiful Bellagio for rest before dinner.Martin enjoyed a Wonderful Birthday meal in Bellagio - and we all had too much fun (and too much food and wine). Happy Birthday, Martin!
Pedometer: 12,759; 5.44 miles. A good day.
Until my next update, I remain, your birthday correspondent.