Lazy start to the day with fresh rolls from the bakery across the road from the apt for breakfast - yummm! We meandered through the streets taking in the amazing architecture around us but distracted by the beautiful clothes in the shops (well I was more so than Greg). We reached the lake just in time to catch the bus to Bellagio. You can also go by ferry but it takes twice as long and we had missed the direct one anyway. By this stage I have realised that Greg still won't be able to walk too far or too fast (the Cinque Terre knees and the torn hamstring) so adapt the plan for the day.
View from our apartment in Como
The little bus to Bellagio is great. Lots of locals with shopping or going to work. The driver talks non-stop to one of the passengers as he negotiates the narrow roads. Old stone walls are centimetres from the sides as we squeeze through. He blasts the horn as we approach blind corners. Thank goodness we decided not to hire a car, I'd have been a nervous wreck! It's an hour of winding road - albeit picturesque - so we are pleased to reach Bellagio.
Bellagio is very pretty and while there are lots of tourists there the touristy shops are discreetly hidden. Can a town look as though it's only for the rich and famous or is it a perception you bring with you? I feel like a poor relation in Bellagio.
And the cars. Because of the narrow roads, lots of smaller makes of cars, but all BMW, Audi, etc. Mercedes? They use them for taxis in Milan.
Well, the "other half" have to have somewhere to eat in Bellagio
Greg buys a silk tie for Euro12- not bad. Not all the shops are as expensive as I first thought. A tie bought in Bellagio should be the height of elegance on the cruise, and probably will be accessorised by the branded bag so people know where it was bought.
We catch the car ferry to Varenna, a relatively unspoilt town I had read about. As we approach on the ferry I immediately like it. Looks as pretty as some of the Cinque Terre towns. From the ferry terminal we stroll along the garden walk towards the old town. The main piazza is uphill so we sit at a waterfront cafe and while Greg orders lunch I walk through the town.
Lunch in Varenna - in the background are the snow-capped Swiss - Italian Alps
Away from the waterfront it does have an unspoilt feel to it. I had originally thought about booking accommodation here for three nights but cancelled when we decided to go to see A C Milan play. If we come again I definitely want to stay here.
After lunch we returned to the ferry terminal only to find we have misread the very complicated ferry timetable and will have to wait an hour for the fast ferry back to Como. The same timetable chart covers the ferry (slow), fast service, car ferry, and the mid-lake shuffle - very complicated.
The part of town near the ferry terminal isn' t so interesting and we are keen to get back to Como to rest before we go to the soccer game.
At last we are back in Como and heading for the apt but there are lots of people strolling around. We are the only ones in a hurry.
We walk to Como Nord Bogio station in plenty of time to catch the 6.15 to Milan. What we hadn't counted on was that the only ticket machine wasn't working. After several locals had given up and left, Greg worked out that the problem was it wouldn't give change or take credit cards. So we checked our pockets and found the exact fare and he was able to print the tickets. But by then the 6.15 had gone so once again we were waiting for a train.
This time it was an older model train but it got us there and we changed to the metro line in Milan to go to Lotto station and then to a recently opened new line to the direct to the Milan AC Stadium. Greg bought tickets from the machines along the way and it was a smooth trip. Outside the ground was a bit like side-show alley with lots of large vans and stalls selling food and souvenirs. By the time we entered the stadium the kick-off was about to start play.when we came up the steps to get to our seats the first glimpse of the pitch was incredible. We were so close to the pitch which was very brightly lit. Great seats.
The Roma and Milan fans were in the stands at opposite ends of the field chanting, singing, clapping. We couldn't understand a word but it added to the atmosphere. Roma is 2nd on the table and started strongly but A C Milan scored just before half time and just after. The stadium wasn't full but the fans made lots of noise. Two of the Japanese players who we saw play for Japan in Newcastle during the Asian Cup were playing, one on each team. Honda was playing for the home team and was a crowd favourite.All the players were so skilful and fast and the team work was impressive. Makes the Jets look like amateurs - sorry Jets fans!
We had to leave midway through the 2nd half to be sure and catch our train back to Como, finally arriving back at our apt at about 12.15am.