quiet bellagio

I had a strange urge to get out of Milan and see some countryside, definitely those famous lakes to the north that everybody mentions. On the last supper tour a slightly annoying Australian woman was saying "Bellagio, oh Bellagio its so beautiful there" so what better place to aim for. Bellagio, on the Y of Lago Como.

5 euros and 45 minutes later I was wandering around the port town of Como, finding those European style streets and residential grids enjoying a sleepy Friday afternoon. 

I couldn't have asked for a better day for weather, however the Duomo here was closed. Everything was very quiet, but maybe I was just adjusting to the change in atmosphere.

It was another 40 minute boat ride to Bellagio, and the views were pretty amazing. It's fantastic to see the crazy mountains rising from the water, and towns hugging the best spots on the coast - some of them completely in shadow while others enjoy the sun. Of course mansions dot the shoreline as well - the rich and well off have been holidaying here since the Roman times.

Finally arriving, I found myself just looking around, staring at the surrounding mountains.

Hypnotising mountains...

Climbing up through the town, I found that actually it was really quiet here! I wasn't sure if it was just because it was too late in the tourist season, or if it was simply always like this.

Walking adventures string you along on enticing pathways around every bend and turn until suddenly you realise you're lost and might be trespassing in someone's backyard. I quickly began to feel like I was the only tourist in town - a feeling which suited me just fine. It was still a really nice place to be.

Rock face was here.

It was quiet. Kind of ghostly. I did briefly met a couple from London who were staying here for a long weekend and were extremely keen to get out and find a loud lively pub, with people in it. They were growing bored of the constant mountain view - something I could sort of kinda not really understand at the time.

It was starting to get dark, and I was getting slightly worried about getting back. As the sun set, cold quickly swept over the town, although apparently the lake does a lot to moderate the temperature. As the light changed I could just my eyes follow the silhouette of the mountains - I quite like it! maybe I should go to further north to the Alps some day!

Someone's amazing house.

Goodbye sun. Goodbye Bellagio. I was escorted back to Como on one of those wild night bus rides where you're pretty sure you're going to die but really everything was fine. Had some delicious take away from a shop with a sign saying "Italian Fast Food" and jumped back on the train.