Italy Vacay: Part 2 - Lake Como

So here's part 2 of our trip, Lake Como!  Nate and I visited there 4 years ago before we moved back from Germany.  We absolutely fell in love with the beauty and charm of this place.  Lake Como is surrounded by the Swiss and Italian Alps, which makes for absolutely breath-taking views.  The only way to get around (without a car) is by ferry, so we spent a lot of time on the water going from town to town.  We stayed at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo again, which is far and away the best hotel we've ever stayed in.  It is top-notch beautiful, with amazing gardens, pools and views!   

On the ferry to our hotel in Tremezzo

You might recognize this from the Ocean's movies

We made it!

Views from our balcony

Backyard pool, complete with an outdoor pizza parlor

The amazing gardens

Wine, wine & more wine

Not a bad view for breakfast & who's the hottie with the beard?!!

Even beautiful in the rain - Como that is!

Villa Carlotta - right next to our hotel 

The "real" Bellagio!

Ready for dinner - I think we'll have pasta!

George Clooney's place on the far left, on the water - unfortunately, no spottings :(

A random pretty church in Como

Enjoying the view from the spa

Italy Vacay: Part 1 - The Cinque Terre

Nate & I had a FABULOUS trip to Italy this past week!  We did a whole lot of nothing and it was fantastic!  Italy is a great spot to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy great food and wine.  We did no sight-seeing, just laid on the beach, enjoyed the locals & ate too much local cuisine!  This area is the home of pesto & focaccia bread and because we're on the coast, seafood galore!  Yum-o!

These first photos are from the Cinque Terre area - specifically the small towns of Vernazza & Monterosso, where we spent 2 nights each.  We absolutely fell in love with Vernazza, a friendly & sleepy little town of 500 that is just absolutely breathtaking.  It has a small natural harbor with great huge rocks for sunbathing.  The water was as clear and blue as the Caribbean!  The highlights of our time in Cinque Terre were renting a motor boat and cruising the CT and going to a local Italian party, where we met so many awesome people and had a super authentic experience (which we love!).  What great memories!!   

View from our room

Our daily cappucinos

The town church sits right on the beach - we could hear the choir singing on Sunday!

Love this lady - in the small chapel outside of a wine shop

Not a bad lunch!  Wine & focaccia

Our rocks

Heading out on the boat - so fun!

We anchored and swam around in the crystal clear water

Local rooftop party that the wine shopkeeper invited us to - it was crazy!!

Only in Italy

Lemons & garlic - 2 of my fave's!

Bigger beach in Monterosso

Doing a little sea kayaking

Monterosso church made completely out of carrera marble - love the black & white!

Getting ready to head up the 100+ steps to our room

In Italy, even the farrow cats eat well

Castle at night

Random fountain on a side-street - seriously!!

"Real" pizza!

Nate taking one of his many "public" naps on this trip!

The pesto is to-die-for

Pizza for the cats tonight!

Another view of the Monterosso coastline

Italy Here We Come!

Well, our long awaited vacation to Italy is finally here!  The kids and I made it to Chicago on Wednesday and I fly out tonight!  Nate is already in Europe, having spent the last week in Portugal for work. 

I'll meet up with Nate in Frankfurt tomorrow, then continue onto Milan.  From there we're doing planes, trains, automobile travel to get to the Cinque Terre, where we will spend half of the week hopefully soaking up some rays on the Italian Riveria.  Then, we'll head up near the Swiss border to Lake Como, which to date is one of the most beautiful places we've ever been. 

We're happy to be heading back to Como and to Italy in general.  Looking forward to some R & R with my hubby in this picturesque country!  Ciao bella!!!  

Picture of Vernazza in the Cinque Terre

Lake Como

Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Como