Mark's 60th - Italy's Lake Como

We arrived at Lake Como in the heat of the day -- and what a contrast to the cool mountain air of Switzerland! In Varenna where we stayed at the Villa Cipressi, I loved seeing the fishermen patiently watching their long lines swaying in the blue water. The sun-drenched colors of the village -- its little houses and villas, the lake dotted with boats, the worn cobblestone streets and steep stairs up the hills -- were all framed by hills and mountains to make a perfect picture. Our villa hotel and its view of Lake Como was also beautiful, particularly with its lush gardens. We spent our time leisurely exploring Varenna, visiting Villa Monastero, having cocktails on the terrace of Hotel du Lac, and then dinner at Albergo Milano watching the sunset.