542 Steps

We have enjoyed a week in Moltrasio and tomorrow we head off to Menaggio. The steps - all 542 of them from the ferry to the apartment - have kept us fit and certainly helped to burn off the gelati we have consumed. Highlights of the week have been:

• Ferry to Tremezzo where we walked through beautiful gardens, visited Villa Carlotta and enjoyed delicious gelati. Played in a playground at the back of a beautiful church villa.

• Several visits to Como on the ferry where we walked the streets, sorted out the Internet, found a fantastic pool (in front of Villa Olmo) and once again enjoyed more gelati.

• Lunch at Ristorante Castiglionie - www.castiglionistore.com - which I had stumbled across. Beautiful salmon, salad, lasagne, veal, dolci, beer, soft drinks fo the grand total of $45.00.

• Dinner at Torno in the sunny courtyard, pizza, ravioli (homemade) with cheese, butter and sage.

• Ferry to Cernobbio - a place with many grand villas and flash hotels. Found a fantastic place for coffee and pastries, stood like true Italians although a lot less stylish.

• Getting into the Italian way of life of siestas after lunch and closed shops.

• Practising our Italian; dove, quanta costa, quattro biglietti per Como per favore, vorrei un gelato chocolato e fragole.