It was the dawn of a new day. I told myself I would wake really early. However, I am on vacation so there is really no rush. I like to start with a walk but right now it feels like a race. Why? It is a race against time as with the passage of time - it gets hotter. Italy is experiencing a heatwave.
I start walking with my family.
The mountain views are breathtaking.
The roads are narrow. One must be careful.
We pass typical homes with balconies and stairways filled with flowers.
We stopped at a Peppos Bar in Pognana Lario and enjoyed drinks and a cappuccino (when in Rome....😄).
It was already 29 degrees celsius and a bit hazy in the distance.
It was best to change plans before it became "too darn hot". It was a decision making time. Should we totally abort the walk and remain by the lake and pool to stay cool or should we take a water bus to Como? Our teenagers agreed on the former, my husband and I, the latter.
To get to the water bus, we must go down the mountain. These stone stairs looked inviting.
Although there were no loose stones - I walked carefully due to the incline.
Glimpses of the water was a welcomed sight.
The paths zig-zagged down the mountainside and was quite steep.
This walk is not for the faint-hearted. The locals do it with ease but they are accustomed to it. This sign was a relief - the home stretch. "Via Imbarcadero" literally translates to "Pier Street". "Insolito" means "unusual" - hmmm - now I am curious.
Yay - we made it to the pier.
We celebrated with well deserved drinks of water - which we had with us. However, we were noticed. The restaurant owner and chefs of Insolito, invited us to rest our weary legs as we had a 20 minute wait for the water bus.
The restaurant Insolito is for dinner only - it opened in May 2023. It is runned by French speaking Belgians - that might be the reason for its name which meant unusual.
restaurant Insolito
Andreas - the "mooring man" arrived - put on his blue shirt and got prepared to assist us, the only passengers, with embarkation. (We met Andreas the day before whilst having coffee in the village).
There are fast and slow water taxis and buses. This was the slow version and an economical way to see the beautiful villas and villages along Lake Como.
Insolito and Pognana from the lake
The lofty and rugged mountains create a beautiful setting along the entire lake.
The views are simply spectacular.
The verdant mountains are bedecked with grey, pink, pastel, canary yellow and terracota houses.
These colours are typical of the region.
There are many villas
surrounded by beautiful nature.
Here at Nesso, the locals have found a way to cool off by sitting at the water's edge or
jumping from the Civera Bridge into the lake. The foundation of the bridge is from Roman times.
This is Villa D'Este, a 16th century villa now a luxury hotel with a floating pool.
The scenery all along the lake is simply beautiful
and full of history.
One knows they’ve arrived in Como as the "Life Electric" sculpture stands proudly in the basin.
This sculpture was dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the physicist after whom volt (voltage) was named.
As the main purpose of our trip was to keep us cool - we decided to have a quick drink and take the next water bus back. We went to the first place we saw with space on the outdoor terrace, Cafe Monti.
We ordered a Coca Cola and Crodino - the bill was a shocker.
Yes, these are the most expensive sodas we've ever had.
Nothing was going to ruin our fun though. Our 25 minutes in Como had expired. We went to our water bus and started our return trip down Lake Como.
Our way of staying cool was spontaneous - we were just going with the flow - and thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
Another way to stay cool
The photos are my own - taken with my iPhone SE 2020