Gubitzinitaly2018

Another great table and dinner for our last meal with our beloved hosts. Saying goodbye is always tough,  since they're family! The view of Bellagio always mesmerizes! Mortadella ravioli... deep fried!  Lasagna with zucchini and eggplant... delish!  Pork chop with green sauerkraut and pungent mustard... gone before photo,  oh well!  The traveling all stars!  Peggy's private Giacomo concert!

Jon and Ann knew the best option for this afternoon was to rent a boat for 2 hours and enjoy the lake... up close and personal.  What a great idea! Just call me Cap'n Jon! Captain Jon masterfully steered us past our b and b, directly to our favorite gelato dock. Our Personal Lakefront Dining Room!  Chocolate and pistachio on the Lake!  The happy couple... Then we enjoyed the Star Wars mansion (for Kevin and CJ). A Mansion for the Kids... Arriving a bit later at the James Bond house where Ann decided it was time for a dip. No photo of the dip, just the house... Perfect place for a dip nonetheless!  We negotiated our way back to the rental dock and celebrated terra firma with an Aperol Spritz! The Italians got this Spritz thing right!  Returning by car to our b and b, we decided to take another dip in the lake... and at 103 degrees,  this too was a brilliant move. A great afternoon was had by all! Ann was the first ...

We waited 20 minutes at the bus stop to take us to the southernmost portion of the Green Way walking trail. The hiking machines... waiting for the bus.  We,  and the rest of Lake Como traffic got caught in the camper vs. Bus battles.  Our 15 minute drop off took over an hour,  and finally we decided to get off and walk to the start,  and then started,  rather than wait in traffic. It was a beautiful hike! The island they burn every year... Halfway through I had had enough walking and waited to board my carriage... Nothing "betta" than the Trombetta for me! 

Tonight's menu was from the lake... fish... in fact,  the best we've ever had here. Carpaccio of local lake fish,  then fish dumplings,  followed by a whole perch... and finished with a sour cherry ice cream. Delicious crunch of Celery too... Polenta like... but with fish!  The cheeks... the cheeks!  We finished the yumminess before the photo! All while enjoying a sunset over Bellagio... Layers of great shadows!  And again,  a bit before bedtime,  closing the shutters we find a beautiful moonrise over the lake. Goodnight moon!  Hello Moon! 

I never thought I'd be able to walk up to the cross high atop the mountain that towers over our b and b. The day started with a sweet sunrise lighting up the lake. Balcony View of Bellagio at Sunrise!  The air was so clear,  we decided today would be our Rifugio Venini hike.  Once you make the hour long windy drive straight uphill (oxymoron alert.. windy.. straight)  you arrive at the Rifugio.  At that point,  you can either sit overlooking the lakes or you can take the 4 mile hike to the cross at the peak. Ann chose the former,  Jon,  Peggy and I, the latter. At this altitude the Alps are in view... snow covered.  Venini is a true Rifugio! Due to my hip and knee challenges I never thought this hike would again be possible. Am so glad I was wrong! Yes, I brought my hiking sticks for those mothers reading this blog.. Only 4 miles with just a bit of incline,  especially the last 50 yards straight up,  this hike alw...

A beautiful night greeted us on the lake front patio... Can't Get More Lakefront... ...as we all enjoyed Ty's Garden Menu.  We ordered 1 complete meal to share and 1 extra plate of ratatouille ravioli... obviously! Cheese and Green Bean Biscuit with Chicoree Salad.  Vegan Ravioli... Amazing!  Moussaka! Panna Cotta... Closing the shutters on our balcony revealed a sweet moonrise over Bellagio. Visual Beauty Continues to Amaze on Lake Como

We decided to take the more scenic drive up the middle peninsula of Lake Como to arrive directly in Bellagio. Lunch at the Burlingham pizza patio with a quick gelato was a great way to begin our 3 days. Wishing Elva was Here... Pre split fantastic pizza... Stracciatella and Coffee Gelato... We then boarded the car ferry and arrived to find Paola ready to celebrate our stay with prosecco... on the patio! Looking at Mennagio while filming Bellagio.  A Toast to You... Our Faithful Blog Followers...

So glad we had last night's wisdom going into tonight's meal. Ordering a la carte was the winning strategy. Fantastic appetizers,  pastas,  meats and desserts made for a memorable experience... not to mention the table of partiers behind us and the Russian family in front of us... Ricotta on apple ... really!  Pure tomato base with burrata... Ravioli with ricotta inside,  truffles outside!  Jon loved his rack of lamb... Meats,  butter,  oil and perfect pasta... Desserts for days!  Then we came to our patio and enjoyed an after dinner Recioto.  Somewhat sweet red regional wine delight! Nicolis...a great amarone producer!