Varenna & The Castello di Vezio

"A fishing village which dates from the 11th c., Varenna is a jewel

amongst the most important destinations on Lake Como.

Varenna has kept its noble and characteristic flair and,

strolling through its alleyways, you can catch glimpses of breathtaking views."

www.varennaitaly.com

Down to the Argegno ferry landing to catch the 10:10 am heading north, we're off to explore Varenna today via the hydrofoil ferry named "Voloire."

When we arrive at the Varenna ferry landing, we are struck instantly by the profusion of beautiful flowers everywhere we look!  As we walk through the town piazza, heading toward the passerella, Varenna's elegant, lakeside promenade, Brenda and I spot a vendor selling those cute, flowing pants that Amy had purchased at the Argegno town market on Monday.  At 10 Euros a pair, we couldn't resist each getting a pair of our own!  We're calling them our Lake Como "Amy Pants."

We ambled along the beautiful flower-lined promenade, passing many cute shops and bustling caffes ... until we found a lovely, quiet, delicious spot for lunch at the Hotel du Luc.  (This Foldesi travel group is very fun to explore places with  ... always looking for a good lunch before getting into any serious shopping or sightseeing!)  

Did some shopping on the way back along the passerella to town and then took two taxis high up above the town to visit the Castello di Vezio, the ruined hilltop castle located in the tiny, peaceful hamlet of Vezio.  After our kind, friendly Italian taxi drivers dropped us off (promising to come back to pick us up in an hour so we could make the last ferry heading south to Argegno!), we still had quite an uphill climb to the castle. On the way up, we stopped in a tiny village church, dedicated to Sant'Antonio Abate.  One thing I've noticed consistently in Italy ... no matter how small or plain or unfinished the facade of a church is ... the inside is always beautiful:

 Once we (finally!) reached the castle grounds, we were treated to an unusual site:  Ghosts! Actually, not real ghosts, but white plaster sculptures that are created each summer ... thanks to tourists who volunteer to pose, covered in gauze and plaster, for an hour.  The resulting sculptures are then peeled off the tourists and put on display throughout the Castle grounds ... until the winter snowfall melts them away!  

The Castle consists of a courtyard protecting a tower, where Palmer and I crossed a drawbridge and climbed 92 steps up to the very top of the tower.  Our efforts were rewarded with absolutely spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of Lake Como.  Facing Bellagio across the lake, we could look south down both "legs" of the lake ... toward Lecco and Como.  Soooooo beautiful!

On the way back down to meet our taxis, we squeezed in time for our daily gelato indulgence ... then back to the ferry landing, and our ferry ride to our wonderful little "home" town of Argegno.  On the way to the apartment, we stopped for dinner at Ristorante Piazzetta, behind the fountain on the town piazza.  Shared pizza and insalata mista hit the spot after our fun day of exploring Varenna!

Tomorrow:  An Italian beauty parlor and an amazing cable car ride up Argegno's mountain!