Honeymoon - Lake Como

Our first mission in Italy was to find our way from the train station to the Genova airport to pick up our rental car. The moment we stepped off of the train in Italy, we were moved by the locals' kindness towards us. We found our first steps in an Italian city to be cute and charming, but this did not help us track down a taxi or find our way towards the airport. We hopped on a bus, only to learn we should have bought tickets prior to boarding. The bus driver was kind enough to let us ride two stops for free and then let us off closer to the airport. Stepping off of the bus, the roads were like a pile of spaghetti noodles but we were encouraged because we could see an air traffic control tower. An Italian man saw us going the wrong direction, dragging our luggage along, flagged us down and then said he would show us the way to the aeroporto. He led us on a fifteen minute walk, knowing when to cross the busy highways from one narrow rocky sidewalk to another. When we arrived, he said goodbye with a smile, expecting no money and starting back the way we came.

I snapped this picture as we dragged our luggage, following the kind Italian to the airport. Rain clouds covered the sprawling city and a chilly wind blew, but Isaac and I felt so warm and welcome in this place, where people treat strangers like family.

An afternoon of driving north through the mountains and then flat lands, and then more mountains. We had arrived on the small, twisty roads of Lake Como. Our lodging, a one bedroom flat overlooking the lake, was stunning and made the place seem all the more magical.

Here is the view from our balcony. Our first day in Como was rainy, which felt quite nice since we were loving our cozy accommodations and wanting some rest after two days of travelling.

We tried our first espresso drink in Italy, determined to distinguish it as truly being the best coffee in the world. Laughing as we enjoyed our lattes, we had to admit that it tasted the same as cafes in South Korea. Very delicious.

Not only are the people of Italy generous, the food portions are too. We read online that it can be considered rude not to finish all of the food on your plate. At this particular restaurant, the waiters were very friendly, but once you were served your food they would walk by with evident glares at your plate, checking your progress. Isaac finished all of that meat and I ate my entire pizza too.

And every day we returned to this gorgeous view. We enjoyed coffee and breakfast on our balcony and saw many people come onto our car park and patio (where Isaac is standing) to take pictures of the scenery.

Another wonderful thing about Como is the trails. There are hiking trails that meander through the mountain tops, on both sides of the lake. There are additional trails you can take up to reach the mountain tops and down to the lake shore. Our short stay prevented us from checking out the mountain top trails, but one day we explored a lower road - first going down from our place to the lake, then climbing up into the mountains.

These paths are the original roads used by residents of Lake Como before cars came along, foot paths and oxcart trails paved with old stones. One of the most charming things to me was seeing so much old stone work with plants filling in cracks and cascading down.

Lake Como is a lovely place, a peaceful escape with plenty of opportunities to explore and eat good food. I'd love to go back and hike along the mountain ridges we admired from our balcony.  I can confidently say that this was a honeymoon highlight for us.

Okay, just one more picture of that view.