...a circuit of Lake Como [mostly and quite a few photographs]

[Daniel Kalal]

 
Clockwise around the lake, starting with Mandello del Lario.
 
Mandello del Lario
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
  
 

 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Lecco
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
   
 

 
Onno
 

 
       
 
Bellagio
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
    
 
Pognana Lario
 

 
Torno
 

 
Como
 

 

 
   
 

 

 
Carate Urio
 

 
Sala Comacina
 

 
Isola Comacina
 


   
 
Lenno
 

 
Menaggio
 

 
   
 
   
 
Dongo
 
    
 
Domaso
 

 
Colico
 
   
 

 
Bellano
 

 
Varenna
 

 
   
 
   
 
and thus...
 

[Testarossa]

Thank you, Dan. Among the most beautiful regions on the planet.

[Cal3]

YES......THANX FOR POSTING.........BEA UTIFUL

[oldbike54]

 Dozens of beautiful pictures , and not one cow 

 Seriously Deke , as always , absolutely breathtaking 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

Molto bella...Grazie Daniel!

[Tom H]

Nice! Thanks!!

Tom

[azguzzirep]

I've been to three places pictured. Mandeĺlo, naturally.  I was in the church that was pictured too. Met Alice Agostini in 2005.

I've got good friends in Lecco. Nice harbour.

Walked through Verrena by the lake. 'Wonderful' doesn't do it justice! We took a train from  Mandello to Varenna and hopped on a boat taxi back to Mandello
The ship had to crisscross the lake a couple times. Best boat ride ever!

[twowings]

Paradiso sulla terra!

[Muzz]

Stunning thanks Daniel.

[chuck peterson]

Just stunning...quaint New England doesn't come close...no wonder our bikes are so great, look where they build them

[12SCraig]

I was fortunate enough to visit there in September last year, and can say that it is even more stunning and wonderful than in the images, when you are actually standing/riding there.
Thanks for sharing.

[Idontwantapickle]

Wow, those are great views! The wife and I are headed there in 2 weeks, this was a wonderful preview! Thank you for sharing that Daniel.

Hunter

[JJ]

Simply fabulous photography!!  Thanks for sharing. 

I was in Milan on business a few months ago, but "zero" time to go north, and I was only about 75km away from Lake Como, I was told.  It is on my Bucket List for sure... :1:

[Johncolleary]

Great photos!!
I'm going in Sept. can't wait!!

[LowRyter]

 

[Moz]

as always great shots Daniel and inspiring - I'll be in that casa rossa in Varenna late next month.. ;)

[kingoffleece]

Fantastico!!!!!!

You single handedly make this the best motorcycle web site ever.  THX a ton.

[Bill Owens]

Daniel ,

   Great photos! Brings back great memories from 2006. Looking forward to 2021!

[Testarossa]

In the summer of 1968 I hitchhiked down the east shore of the lake -- I wasn't aware of Moto Guzzi at the time and was still a couple of years away from owning my first bike.  But the country made my jaw drop.

Since then I've driven thru several times, but in winter, en route between Malpensa and Bormio/Livigno. It's time to plan another summer trip, this time on a Guzzi.

[cmgies]

Thanks for posting!  My wife and I were in Mandello in 2012 and we rented a V7 Special from Agostini's and did a partial circle of the lake and took the ferry back.  Also a day trip up to the top of the Stelvio.  We loved it and thought Menaggio was the most beautiful town.

[Tennmoto]

If I ever get enough money and time for Europe, I would love to go there, NICE!

[Arizona Wayne]

A special place.    Was this region of Italy effected by WW II or spared?

[canuck750]

Brings back great memories of a couple summers ago, thanks!

[Testarossa]

In the spring of 1945 the Allies broke through into the Po Valley and German forces retreated rapidly, headed for the Alps, Switzerland and Austria. I know that one American unit, the 10th Mountain Division, chased the Germans northward along shores of Lake Garda, meeting determined resistance. There was lighter fighting at Lake Como, which was relatively unscathed but Italian partisans took control at the north end of the lake and captured (and shot) Mussolini there.

http://www.museofineguerradongo.it/en/end-of-the-war-project/

[Bill Hagan]

Well, wasn't that adequate? 

Seriously, I put off opening this, Daniel, as I knew it would take hours to "recover."

Every time I look at your photos -- which, even when unaccompanied by narrative beyond captions, are essays -- I have to wander off in my memories or dreams of future ones, reflecting on what a beautiful world this is ... and, especially, that set of dirt, rock, water, sky, and people that make Italy.

Kathi and I will be there in September and have yet to decide where.  We'd better get cracking.  Your pix help.

Grazie mille.

Bill

[Daniel Kalal]

Kathi and I will be there in September and have yet to decide where.

Bill,
The three towns defined by the meeting of the three legs (Bellagio, Menaggio and Verenna) are all well-connected by special ferries that swim the triangle so any one of them will give you good access to the other two.  You cannot go wrong with any of them.  Verenna has the advantage of good rail connections to Milano (which means you'd likely go through Verenna to get to those other two).  Como also has a good connection to Milano, but it suffers (to me) from being close to a real size city and therefore doesn't have the charm of Verenna (for instance).  Of course, Varenna will run you close to 4X the lodging cost of Mandello or Lecco if that matters (and in the grand scheme; it doesn't).

[Bill Hagan]

Bill,
The three towns defined by the meeting of the three legs (Bellagio, Menaggio and Verenna) are all well-connected by special ferries that swim the triangle so any one of them will give you good access to the other two.  You cannot go wrong with any of them.  Verenna has the advantage of good rail connections to Milano (which means you'd likely go through Verenna to get to those other two).  Como also has a good connection to Milano, but it suffers (to me) from being close to a real size city and therefore doesn't have the charm of Verenna (for instance).  Of course, Varenna will run you close to 4X the lodging cost of Mandello or Lecco if that matters (and in the grand scheme; it doesn't).

Thanks, Daniel!

We are in Atlanta -- where I see Kathi less than at home!  -- and we just sat here going through your pix and commentary.

I think you just co$t me some additional Euros.   

Seriously, very much appreciate the counsel of someone so well-travelled.

Bill (& Kathi)

[Tusayan]

Many discerning ladies would appreciate the Hotel Royal Victoria in Varenna, but I think many would also enjoy Mamma Ciccia in Mandello at a fraction of the cost...  Depends on how frugal the lady is.

[Daniel Kalal]

...in Varenna, but ...in Mandello at a fraction of the cost...

My most recent stay in Varenna was $260/night while my last stay in Mandello was $38/night.  Both near the water; both very pleasant; both with good food; both scrupulously clean; both quite gracious.

[Bill Hagan]

Bill,
The three towns defined by the meeting of the three legs (Bellagio, Menaggio and Verenna) are all well-connected by special ferries that swim the triangle so any one of them will give you good access to the other two.  You cannot go wrong with any of them.  Verenna has the advantage of good rail connections to Milano (which means you'd likely go through Verenna to get to those other two).  Como also has a good connection to Milano, but it suffers (to me) from being close to a real size city and therefore doesn't have the charm of Verenna (for instance).  Of course, Varenna will run you close to 4X the lodging cost of Mandello or Lecco if that matters (and in the grand scheme; it doesn't).

See below.

Many discerning ladies would appreciate the Hotel Royal Victoria in Varenna, but I think many would also enjoy Mamma Ciccia in Mandello at a fraction of the cost...  Depends on how frugal the lady is.

Thanks.  Do not disagree at all.

And, Kathi is a discerning lady, but also, as a Polish princess, maddeningly frugal.   

Comma but.

For many reasons -- including but not limited to the 13 grandkids, monthly week-long visits to Atlanta for eldercare duty, etc. -- she loves being pampered when we do travel in the U.S. and overseas.  Quite royally, she views that as my job, and I live to serve.   

That said, she indulges me in my whims, too.  For example, I first stayed in the unpretentious-but-just-fine Albergo Grigna (http://albergogrigna.it) in 2001, and, habit- and nostalgia-bound, did same in 2002 and 2006.  Would do it again ... but not if USA playing Italy in World Cup as last time.   

My most recent stay in Varenna was $260/night while my last stay in Mandello was $38/night.  Both near the water; both very pleasant; both with good food; both scrupulously clean; both quite gracious.

I just showed her the website for both http://www.mammaciccia.it/en/ and the Hotel Royal Victoria, http://www.royalvictoria.com.  She nodded regally, approved of both, and said I "should do the right thing." 

Hmmmmm.   

Seriously, Daniel, we had not intended -- until your photos reminded us how much we enjoy that area -- to be there this trip.  We will spend a week with our German family near the Boden See, then spend another week in Italy. 

No doubt from listening to too many lady friends, giddy on their own first visits to Italy and romantic novels, Kathi has always wanted to spend a few days in Cinque Terre -- which I view without any personal experience, of course  -- as the quintessential tourist trap.   

But we WILL be there  , with my goal being to limit same to the minimum time.  We $hall $ee how $uce$$ful I am.    The Lake Como pix helped, I think, divert some thinking into revisiting! 

Grazie.

Bill