Last day in Italy

Our last day in Italy was nothing short of magical. We woke up to a perfect sunny day, the kind that makes you instantly grateful to be alive. Our hotel, perched gracefully above Lake Como, offered a luxury breakfast on the terrace. The view was breathtaking: the serene expanse of the lake glistening under the morning sun, framed by the lush, rolling hills and quaint villages dotting the shoreline. Sipping freshly brewed espresso and savoring delicate pastries, we couldn’t imagine a more perfect start to our day.

After breakfast, we embarked on a two-hour private boat tour of Lake Como. The wooden es Italian boat captained by a charming female swept us away on a calm and quiet lake. As we cruised along, we were treated to stunning views of opulent villas and historic estates, each with its own unique charm. With a glass of Prosecco in hand, we toasted the passing ferries and other boats. We felt top of the world. 

Returning to the hotel, we spent the afternoon lounging by the pool. The sun was warm and inviting, casting a golden glow over the water. We relaxed under the shade of umbrellas, occasionally taking a refreshing dip in the pool or a sweet cocktail. It was the perfect way to unwind and soak up the last of the Italian sunshine.

As evening approached, we ventured out for dinner in a charming courtyard. The restaurant, with its rustic tables and twinkling fairy lights, exuded a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. We indulged in classic Italian dishes. Sighing over the fact that this was our last Italian dinner we signaled for the check and headed back to our hotel. 

Strolling back to our hotel, we were greeted by an unexpected surprise: fireworks lighting up the night sky. The bursts of color and light were likely for a wedding celebration, but coincidentally, it was also the 4th of July. We stood watching the fireworks reflect on the still waters of Lake Como. It was a serendipitous finale to our trip, blending the joy of a local celebration with a touch of home.

A Relaxing Day in Como

Yesterday we treated ourselves. The weather predicted heavy rains so we decided to take the ferry across the lake to our sister 5 star hotel for a day at one of the most extravagant spas I have ever experienced. Our spa day at the Royal Hotel in Menaggio was a heavenly retreat, perfectly timed with a day-long rain over Lake Como. The weather might have been dreary, but inside the spa, we were enveloped in luxury and tranquility.

Next, we explored the multiple themed steam rooms. Each room had its own unique ambiance and therapeutic benefits, from the soothing Mediterranean steam to the scorching Turkish steams. The variety made each visit a refreshing experience.

The saunas were equally impressive, offering a range of temperatures and environments. Whether it was the intense heat of the traditional Finnish sauna or the milder, pine wood sauna, every moment was blissful.

We then ventured into the relaxation rooms, which were designed to promote deep peace and serenity. Soft lighting, comfortable loungers, walls of moss, and a serene atmosphere made it ultra relaxing. 

One of the highlights was the scented showers. These multi-sensory experiences combined soothing water jets with aromatic essences, creating a rejuvenating and refreshing interlude.

We finished our relaxation day with massages before taking the lake ferry back towards our hotel for another epic dinner. 

We had made reservations at the reigning best restaurant in Lake Como, Visteria. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff’s warmth and attentiveness ensured we felt like cherished guests. As we settled in, on our balcony overlooking the lake, the sun began to set offering a magical backdrop to our meal. 

Chef Sarno’s inspired menu, a masterpiece of creativity and precision, was a pure joy to be consumed. The evening began with two amuse-bouche courses, each a tantalizing preview of the culinary wonders to come. The “fake tomato” and mini tacos were not only visually stunning but also a delightful explosion of flavors. The follow-up of roasted eggplant, yellow tomato, and eggplant parmigiana spheres were equally captivating, setting the stage for the gastronomic adventure ahead.

Bread, often an overlooked component of fine dining, was a star in its own right. The sourdough and sunflower seed bread alongside the buttery Girella, both perfectly paired with breadsticks aromatic with oregano and rosemary, highlighted the attention to detail that permeates Visteria’s offerings.

As we moved into the main courses. The squid with mint and zucchini was a refreshing start (and my personal favorite!). They even used “mint perfume”.  This was followed by the summery flavors of Palamita d’estate. The pasta courses were a testament to Italian culinary artistry; the Fusillo with squid and red shrimp was not only delectable but visually stunning, while the Scarpariello’s medley of six tomatoes was a vibrant presentation of what everyone imagines an Italian pasta could be.

A delightful pre-dessert, the Breva Gin Frizz with raspberry and gin, served as a refreshing though VERY sour palate cleanser. The final course, Red Passion with berries and lychee, was a symphony of sweet and tart that left us craving more. And they surprised us with an additional dessert course. The petit fours, including a Bounty-like creation, passion fruit with black sesame, and a playful taco with hazelnut, were the perfect finish. The Babà with Timoncello liqueur provided a sweet, lingering finale to an exquisite meal.

To complement the stellar cuisine, Visteria’s wine selection was exceptional, each pour enhancing the flavors of the dishes.

The personal touch from Chef Sarno, who came out and greeted us warmly at our table (the only table he did this!) made the night all that much more special.

Waddling back up to our room after the 12 course dinamo left us blissfully exhausted. We promptly crashed for the night. 

Sad events…

Well… I’ve combined the more recent two days because there, unfortunately, was little action to be had. Yesterday I awoke, sore, tired but eager to conquer the final day of hiking. We had such an amazing plan, add a few kilometers to the beginning of the hike to complete the circuit instead of taking a shuttle to the trailhead in exchange for meeting the girls at the peak and taking the gondola back down to town. It took a lot of convincing, deliberations, and planning but we were set. As I joined the rest of the family for breakfast before our hike we chewed slowly and watched, with several other hikers, ominous clouds descending on our little valley. As the first few drops of rain began to patter on the windows Ben and I raced to beat the crowds to get ponchos.  With our enthusiasm waning as the rain picked up the first vote of desertion came after the first lightening strike. After that the rain came down in biblical portions with lightening and thunder scouring across the sky. The final nail in the coffin was the darkening clouds over where we were to hike 1500 meters up.. with heavy hearts we voted to cancel the last hike day, Billy goat Ben was disappointed but it was for the best. We took a transport to our last hotel and sadly as we arrived the weather was a blue bird sky after a recent light shower. 

Emily, dad, and I shuttled as Pamela, Ben, mom, and Bowie needed to get some laundry done. The three of us meandered sullenly around Cortina looking in shops and killing time until the others arrived. Our lunch in Cortina was an unforgettable experience. Dad, Emily, and I found ourselves seated at a fancy restaurant, one of only two occupied tables outside under an awning as the sky decided to put on a dramatic show of torrential rain. This eased our consciouses as we found out the gondola was not operational (which would have resulted in us adding 4 hours and a 1500 meter descent in the rain after hiking 7 hours…). 

Still, we had an incredible lunch. The restaurant had more wait staff than patrons, all of whom were flamboyant and charismatic Italians. Their energy and attentiveness made us feel like royalty.

From the moment we sat down, the staff orchestrated our dining experience with precision and flair. They recommended and brought out special wines and liquors, each introduced with a story or a joke, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the local flavors. It felt like we were part of an exclusive tasting event, each sip and bite coming with a background of laughter and vibrant conversation.

The rain only added to the intimacy of the moment. Safe under the awning, we watched as the heavy drops fell. The rest of the soaked village seemed to blend into the background as our waiters entertained us with anecdotes and gestures, their passion for hospitality evident in every interaction.

We met up with Pamela, Ben, mom, and Bowie and spent the rest of the afternoon poolside, laughing and playing with Bowie. It was a riot. After a quick siesta mom and dad volunteered to babysit so we could take Pamela and Ben out to a nice dinner. It was another amazing experience. The evening promised elegance and exceeded our expectations. The ambiance was refined, with soft lighting that set the stage for a memorable meal.

We started with bottles of exquisite Italian wine, each sip revealing a delicious bouquet of Italian flavors. The waitstaff, was both professional and entertaining. The more we drank the more interactive they were. Ben was posing philosophical questions and I was storytelling. 

The five-star food was a feast for the senses. Every dish, from the antipasti to the dessert, was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation. We indulged in rich pastas, local game, and decadent desserts, each bite better than the last.

We swayed back to our rooms and crashed for the night. 

The next day was an early breakfast where we parted ways with the family. Emily and I headed to Lake Como, Ben and Pamela headed to Lake Garda and dropped off mom and dad at the airport. It was bittersweet. Our 6.5 hour drive was uneventful though beautiful as we wove through the Dolomites. We arrived late to Lake Como and checked into our chic hotel. We had a few drinks by the iconic lake and then went for a walk. 

Our luxurious stroll turned into a scene straight out of a horror film when Emily’s big toenail was ripped off in a freak accident. The opulent lobby, usually a haven of tranquility, erupted into chaos. As we were returning from admiring the botanical garden, a staff member, hurrying through her duties, accidentally kicked Emily’s foot at just the right angle. 

The sound of the collision was followed by a gasp from both Emily and the staff member. Emily went into brief shock, her face a mask of pain and disbelief and she started walking briskly away from the scene. Blood gushed from her toe, staining the pristine marble floor and evoking horrified whispers from onlookers. I caught up to her unaware to the full extent of the damage. As I looked down and saw the nearly avulsed toenail spurting blood I sprang into action. I directed the pale and woozy staff members to get a first aid kit.  I also convinced a shocked Emily to stop waking around trailing blood and sit while I gathered supplies. In order to not lose her toenail forever I needed to replace the avulsed nail back into the nail matrix. This was going to be very painful. I told Emily what I had to do and she nodded and bit down while I performed the maneuver and handled it like a champ!  I applied pressure, cleansed the wound, and wrapped it as staff looked on in horror at my bloodied hands. The apologetic staff unloaded a trove of medical supplies, most of which was useless, for me to use? Have? I’m not entirely sure. 

Once Emily was treated we hobbled out and continued our day recounting my heroic actions. 😜 The rest of the evening was filled with gelato and sunsets. Tomorrow we hope is to be more relaxing and uneventful.