3rd stop: Italy š®š¹
From the snow into the sunshine & blue sky. Ciao, Bella Italia!
We arrived at the lake with its unique shape: with its three branches it looks like an upside down Ypsilon. The lake, where the Milanesi spend their weekendsā¦ We are at āLarioā – thatās how the locals call Lago di Como.
Surrounded by vast mountains, the crystal clear lake is framed by cypresses and colorful Italian towns. Dolce Vita is calling.
Driving is a little different here: crazy motorcycles and vespas, bicycles and other cars. Pedestrians in between. Hui. Streets are tiny and cliffs everywhere. Thatās when my head starts spinning and I start sweating (on the passenger seat). Hubby adapted very quickly, driving Aperoli like another crazy Italian (must be those weekly business trips 2 years ago..). Nobody keeps the speed limit. Newer minis taking over Aperoli. I guess we arrived in Italy.
Finally, Aperoli is home to where its nickname comes from: Aperol Spritz (Spritz for me, daily dose of oil for Aperoli)!
And the reason why we are actually hereā¦ the Motoguzzi muesum. Hubbies dream almost becoming trueā¦ our museum tour didnāt happen, despite reservations: museum closed. Hm. A little photo shooting instead and meeting a Ducati driver from Luxembourg.
Best espresso (latte macchiato is not a coffee here). Gelato. Gnocchi. Tortellini. Steak. Oh, this is my country.
The highlight of these days – next to gelato, Aperol, tiramisu, espresso, cappuccino, Como, Bellagio, Lecco, Lierna, Varennaā¦ – is having Italian dinner.
Challenge accepted: translating the Italian menu. Finally we are in a non German (or English) speaking part of the world again. Loving it. Choosing from antipasti, primi, secondi, dolciā¦ takes us usually 30 minutes. Lol. Itās all part of the culinary experience.
Weāre in Italyā¦ where a gelato a day keeps the doctor away. That being saidā¦ and itās soooo delicious you could fit two per day. Easily.
Our hotel is set at the end of a winding road at 1,019 m above sea level (George Clooney didnāt have any rooms left for usā¦). A family run business since 1959. Their pride is the delicious, traditional cuisine served at the restaurant. Itās only about 25 hair pin curves upā¦ and the same amount downā¦ food & views are amazing.
We learnt that old cars make noisesā¦ In addition to a rattling noise we got a squeeze noise, the latest noise worried us a little. Hubby got Italian support and fixed the car āgood enough to make it homeā. It was just a loose brake disc back cover (race drivers take that part apparently off to save weightā¦). Now itās fixed again with a little bit Italien garden wire. Ready for the next pin curves. Voila, all noises gone. Fingers crossed š¤š»
Well, Aperoli is the perfect car for cruising around Lago di Como with its gorgeous windy roads passing through terracotta-colored villages. Besides, the locals loved Aperoli. So many thumbs up.
Of course we did a little (Aperoli is packed like never beforeā¦) grocery shopping after checking whatās allowed to bring back through Switzerland.
A last gas stop (heavenly prices 1.56/litre!!!) & filling up all containers we can find (lol) before heading north to Lichtenstein.
Despite being loved by tourists, Lago di Como has kept its Italian flair and nativeness. The blend between the landscape of the Alps, colorful lively towns, and the food and hospitality that are so iconic to Italy is truly unique. You can only fall in love hereā¦
Arrivederci, Bella Italia! It was wonderful to be here, Grazie for your hospitality. Ciao!
Last Minute Racing 