Wednesday we arrive in Milan. We hired a driver named Mirko to get us to Varenna. We had been traveling 24 hours at that point. We got his name from Marina, our RSJ tour guide turned friend.

We stayed at Albergo Milano (breakfast was included!). It has amazing views and super convenient to all of Varenna. After checking in and dropping off 2 (too) big suitcases we hiked to castle di Vezio.

“They” say to reach the Castle di Vezio ..is a short hike from Varenna! Well it’s straight uphill on rocks. It beautiful up top at the Castle but it’s rough getting up there. The uphill route consists of a 30ish minute walk from the town center to the top of the hill that houses the medieval fortress.  We had no water so that didn’t help this hike! But we made it back down we had a casual lunch outside at bar molo. It’s touristy but great views.

Then dinner – Al Prato (need reservation) Amazing and delicious!

We walked around town square, got coffee, went into a very old church before dinner.

Thursday –

We took a ferry to Belligo then another one (fast/hydrofoil) to Como (passed George and Amal’s villa)

Coffee at bar Rossi ( pistachio croissant was delish) in Belligo.

We had booked a Walking tour with Davide with ‘with locals’ of Como – 2 hours  

Had to uber back to Belligo from Como cause mix up on ferry tickets ..

4 pm – private boat tour (Varenna Rent a boat) Stefano was our driver on the wooden boat. He picked us up in Belligo. The wooden boat is called a cadenazzi. We enjoyed all the info on some amazing villas…

Villa Mezza ( private owned public gardens)

Villa Balbianello (Italian government owned – Star Wars and James Bond movies filmed there)

Villa La Cassinella (private owned)

Dinner –  Albergo Milano( where we stayed)  

Steps 12505. 16 floors 

Friday we got a Taxi at 6 am to get us to train station. Just 5 minutes away. It’s walkable but we had those (too) big suitcases!

Train ride (italia rail). 6:40-10:04 from Varenna-Florence.. quick and easy!

We’re meeting our travel RSJ group at noon at Florence airport!