Bellagio and Wine still brings back memories!

A Must if you visit Italy...Bellagio

Merry Christmas from BellagioBlog.com

Are These Guys Lucky or Not!

Tuscany "A Moveable Feast with the Butcher of Panzano."

Greve in Chianti "Beauty and the Feast."

Greve in Chianti "Beauty and the Feast." from Mike Colonna on Vimeo.

Greve in Chianti A "Fab" Vacation

Greve

Ready for the "Butcher?"

Tuscany w/Bocelli!

Click Maps for Castles and Century Old Cities

http://www.castellitoscani.com/map.htm

Elba off the coast of Tuscany

The island of Elba is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and is Italy's third largest island. It's famous as being the place where Napoleon lived while in exile and you can see his former residence on the island. There are several picturesque villages and many good beaches along the coast. Elba is easily reached by ferry from Piombino (see Tuscany map).

Tuscan Beaches

You've thought a lot about your Tuscan vacation, but maybe you didn't know about Tuscany's fine beaches. In the area of northern Tuscany called Versilia, there is a line of beaches extending from the Bocca di Magra almost to the Arno that Italians flock to in Summer. These Tuscan beaches are characterized by clean water (certified blue flag beaches), interesting villages, and a background of the Apuan Alps, known for its famous marble production

Lake Como

September Festivals and Holiday Events in Italy

September Festivals and Holiday Events in Italy
Italian Festivals, Holidays, and Special Events in September
By Martha Bakerjian, About.com Guide
.See More About:italian festivals in septemberitaly fall eventsitalian holidaysfestivals in italy

Sagra sign in Italy
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MITO International Music Festival - Milan and Torino host a variety of musical performances during the month of September. MITO SettembreMusica

Palio di San Rocco in Figline Valdarno is said to be one of the first palio competitions (definition of palio) in Tuscany. The palio includes five days of medieval competitions with jousting, archery, and a horse race during the first week of September.

Regatta Storica - Venice's historic boat race takes place the first Sunday in September with four race categories - children, women, men in 6 oar boats, and the champions racing in boats with 2 oars. The races are preceded by a parade. Regatta Storica

Macchina di S. Rosa is a big festival in Viterbo in Northern Lazio map held on September 3. A historic procession takes place the day before with participants wearing costumes from the 13th to 18th century. The Macchina is a lighted tower about 30 meters tall topped by a statue of Santa Maria Rosa, the patron saint. More than 100 porters carry it on their shoulders (it weighs nearly 5 tons) through the streets of the town.

Saint Vito Day is celebrated the first Sunday of September in the Sicilian town of Ciminna in the Palermo province. There's a huge parade recalling the life of Saint Vito with people in period costumes. A livestock fair also coincides with the celebrations.

Festival of the Madonna of the Sick is also celebrated the first weekend of September in Sicily in the town of Misterbianco. The festival commemorates the miracle of the sanctuary being saved from destruction during Mt. Etna's eruption in 1669. Festivities run for 5 days starting Thursday evening. More about the festival from Italy Magazine.

Rievocazione Storica - Cordovado, in the Friuli-Venezia region, recreates a noble wedding from 1571 the first Sunday in September. Festivities include a procession followed by an archery competition and tournaments where the districts of the town compete. Historic Re-enactment of Cordovado The town of Cormons in the same region also has a Renaissance pageant and parade the first Sunday of September.

Corsa degli asini - A historic donkey race in the Fruili-Venezia Guilia town of Fagagna takes place the first Sunday in September. Teams from four regional hamlets compete.

Feast of Rificolona is believed to be one of the oldest festivals in Florence. You'll find outdoor festivities September 6 and 7 including a big fair in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. The celebrations close the evening of September 7 with a procession from Piazza Santa Croce led by the Cardinal. You may also find Feast of Rificolona celebrated in other parts of Tuscany September 7.

La Notte Bianca, White Night, in Rome is an all night festival the second Saturday of September. Music and entertainment fills Rome's squares, theaters, and public places and shops and museums are open at night and public transport runs all night with bargain fares. La Notte Bianca schedule Note: May be cancelled for 2008

Festival of the Madonna a Mare, Madonna of the sea, is celebrated the second Sunday of September in Sicily in the village of Patti, Mesina province. The golden Madonna statue is carried to the sea in a procession, then put on an illuminated boat to lead a boat procession. Dancing, music, food, and wine follow.

Juliet's Birthday (of Romeo and Juliet) is celebrated September 12 in Verona. The day will be filled with parades, dances, and street entertainment.

Luminara di Santa Croce, illuminations of the holy cross, is a beautiful procession in Lucca, Tuscany, on September 13. The city is illuminated with thousands of candles at night as the procession goes through Lucca's historic center. (Lucca travel resources)

Feast of Saint Cipriano and Saint Cornelio, the Patron Saints of the Sardinian town of Dorgali, is celebrated for 8 days with traditional dancing and costume parades, starting the middle of September to commemorate the coming of autumn.

The Feast of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples, celebrates the liquefying of San Gennaro's blood in Naples Cathedral on September 19, followed by eight days of processions and celebrations. (Naples Travel Planning) If you're in the US, you'll find big San Gennaro festivals in New York and LA - read more in Italian American Festivals.

Burano Regatta - Similiar to Venice's historic regata, this one takes place off the island of Burano, near Venice, the third weekend of September. Burano Regatta Commemoration of Padre Pio is celebrated with a torchlight procession and religious ceremonies September 23 in San Giovanni Rotondo in Puglia (see Puglia map). Hundreds of stalls sell religious items and there are celebrations for several days around September 23. Visiting Padre Pio Shrine and San Giovanni Rotondo

Saint Greca Festival, is the last Sunday in September in the Sardinian town of Decimomannu near Cagliari. Festivities, lasting 5 days, include parades in costume and poetry and dialect competitions.

Italy Rail Map

Italy for Free

Free Things to Do in Italy
Italy for Free
By Martha Bakerjian, About.com Guide
.See More About:italy on a budgetitaly travel planningitaly travel tipsfree things to do in italy
You don't need to spend lots of money on a vacation in Italy to have a good time, there are many free things to do and see in Italy. Use these suggestions for free things to do when traveling in Italy.

Put on Your Walking Shoes
© by Martha BakerjianWalking is really the best way to see many of Italy's top sights and is free so it's a great way to spend time on your vacation. You can see a lot by just walking around, not spending a cent. Many cities and towns have pedestrian zones, if you're by the sea you'll usually find a seaside promenade, and in the mountains or countryside Italy has a huge network of hiking trails.

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Head to the Historic Center© James Martin, Europe TravelThe historic center, or centro storico, usually holds the city's top sights and attractions. When you get to a new city or town look for the signs pointing to centro storico. Here you'll see historical buildings, churches, fountains, and squares. The historic center often has a pedestrian zone and non-resident traffic and parking is normally liimited. Look for parking outside the center and plan to spend some time walking.



Visit the Cathedral or a ChurchMichaelangelo's Moses in Rome © 2006 by James Martin, Europe TravelEven if you're not religious Italy's churches hold many treasures worth seeing and you can usually see them for free. Works of many famous artists are found inside churches. Architecture, both inside and out, may be of interest and some churches even have archeological sites under them that you can visit although there may be a small charge. A few churches charge admission but most of the time you'll pay nothing to enter. The cathedral, or duomo, is the major church in any city and a good place to start and here are the Top Churches to Visit in Rome.

Free Museum DaysWhile some museums have free admission one day a month, all National Museums and archeological sites are free during la Settimana della Cultura, Week of Culture, held in April. During the week of culture there are often special events, too, and some sights not normally open to the public can be visited. Check the Ministery of Culture page for listings and dates (in Italian) - click on the map to see events listed by region. In 2010 cultural week is April 16 through 25.

For the Festa della Donna or Women's Day festival, March 6-7, National Museums and sites give free admission to women. During summer, some cities and towns hold notte bianca when museums and sights are open at night and usually free - watch for posters as you travel.

Festivals and Music Performances© by James Martin, Europe TravelThere are many festivals throughout Italy and most of them are free. While some charge admission for the main event, there's lots going on that won't cost anything. Parades through the streets of town with costumed characters are common. Festivals are usuaully held on weekends and although they're held throughout the year, summer has the most festivals. During summer many towns hold free outdoor music performances in a main square or park and churches often have free concerts, too. Here's a look at a few of Italy's more famous festivals and some that aren't so well known.

Free Sights and Attractions in Florence© by James Martin, Europe TravelFlorence, one of Italy's most popular travel cities, holds many free sights and attractions for the tourist. Florence is a good city for walking and one of the best things to do in Florence is just walk around and admire the beautiful squares and buildings. Here are top sights and attractions you can see for free in Florence.

Free Sights and Attractions in Rome© by Martha BakerjianYes, you can enjoy the splendor of Rome, the eternal city, without emptying your wallet. James Martin, on Europe Travel, recommends the top places to see for free in Rome.

Free Sights and Attractions in Venice© by Martha BakerjianVenice, one of Italy's most unique and romantic cities, has many free sights and attractions. Venice is a great place for a stroll along the canals, taking in the scenery. Pick your favorite neighborhood and walk along the canals. Here are top free sights and attractions in Venice.

Italy Train Travel

Train travel in Italy is cheap compared to surrounding countries. But there's a catch: major rail lines in Italy tend to have a vast ridership and seats during "rush hours" can be difficult to find on Italian trains. We can offer tips that'll get you over this hurdle. But first, the basics on train travel in Italy.
Italy Train Routes Map
Traveling by train is usually the best option for visiting large and medium-sized cities. Where can you go on the Italian train? Check this Italy Rail Map on Europe Travel.

Florence Sets Serious Rules for Jersey Shore Cast

The mayor of Florence wants to make sure that the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore respect certain rules in his town.

Matteo Renzi has put together a list of restrictions that will ensure The Situation and Pauly D behave themselves on Italian soil.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has published the guidelines that the infamous Americans must abide by. They include:

-No scenes can be shot in clubs or bars.
-No drinking in public. Cast members may not be taped with drinks in hand while outside.
-Florence must not be promoted as a party city.
-The show must focus on promoting Italy, not Americans in Italy, with an emphasis on culture and good food.
-Producers are prohibited from using any of Florence’s historic buildings for filming.

Whether or not the rules will be honored remains to be seen, but Italian critics have already voiced their outrage at the Americanized Italian stereotypes portrayed in the show.

Despite being clearly unwelcome, the show is set to begin filming in Florence next month.
.

Pisa Airport is waiting for you.

The largest airport in Tuscany, Pisa Airport is second only to Florence Airport per number of daily flights. The airport in Pisa is continuously adding new services to improve the travel experience of those departing and landing there.

Between 2010 and 2011 there have been some useful improvements that may make your holiday experience in Tuscany and Italy less stressful and efficient.
Firstly, thanks to Air One and Ryanair you will have more destinations and flights available. Ryanair added a new airplain to their fleet in Pisa, with destination Rhodes, Greece. This will make so that with Ryanair you can now reach 78 destinations in Europe and North Africa from Pisa.
Air One will start its operations on July 1st, 2011 with flights to Italian and European cities. The promise is that of keeping low costs while not forgoing all the services that low cost companies have to, such as in airport check in, seat choice, luggage included in the price, and Alitalia frequent flier mileage.

Tuscany in September

Lake Como

Vittoria Colonna Distant Relative

Lake Como Kite Surfing

Last Year at this time!

September 2011 In Tuscany Events

Florence Events in September - Florence

Giostra del Saraceno / Joust of the Saracen (Arezzo) - first Sunday in September and throughout the summer, this medieval-style joust begins with a colourful parade of locals in period costume who proceed to the Piazza Grande
Festa della Rificolona (Florence) - 7th September, children from all over the area converge at the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, carrying candlelit paper lanterns to honour the eve of the birth of the Virgin
Feast of Santa Croce (Lucca) - 13th September, another torchlight parade in honour of the Volto Santo or 'Holy Face' wooden crucifix figure, which is usually kept in the cathedral, but on this day is paraded around by torchlight
Palio della Balestra / Crossbow Contest (Sansepolcro) - second Sunday, this contest originated in a dispute between the crossbowmen of Sansepolcro (in Tuscany) and those of Gubbio (in Umbria). The participants all dress in period costume
Rassegna del Chianti Classico (Chianti) - second week, this is the biggest Tuscan celebration of local wines
Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell'Antiquariato (Florence) - September to October, a major biennial antiques fair

Lake Como Dream Vacation

Untitled from Mike Colonna on Vimeo.

Rome's San Giovanni Cathedral/Colonna Chapel

Rome's San Giovanni Cathedral from Mike Colonna on Vimeo.

Lake Como Properties For Sale! Start at $160,000 Euros

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Ossuccio House, Lake Como, Italy - €160000.00EUR2 Bedroom House located in a small hamlet. The property would benefit from a bit of restyling to become a very charming home...


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Reduced Price, Colonno Apartments, Lake Como - €165000.00EURSpecial offer on Bella Vista Colonno Apartments. Only 3 available at a discounted price. 1 and 2 bedroom apartments for sale with panoramic lake views....


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Colonno Panorama Apartment, Lake Como - €170000.00EUR2 bedroom 2 bath Apartment part of a restored village house. Lake Views and walking distance to local amenties. Open fire place, Roof Terrace & Balcony. Partially renovated. Recently reduced by 25,000 Euros


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Apartment, Carate Urio, Lake Como - €180000.00EURApartment for sale in Carate Urio nestled in a typical old lake building. A lovely one bedroom apartment. Facilities & the lake within walking distance. Balcony & Fresco ceiling....


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Castello Argegno Apartment, Lake Como - €215000.00EUR2 Bed Apartment, good recent renovation just above Argegno and within walking distance of the village.


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1 Bed Apartment Faggeto Lario Lake Como - €220000.00EUR1 Bedroom Apartment located on the eastern shores of Lake Como. A few steps from the Lido, restaurants and the lake shore


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Recently Renovated Apartment, Carate Urio, Lake Como - €220000.00EURRecently renovated 2 Bedroom Apartment with views of Lake Como. Located close to the lake & walking distance to facilities. Only 15 mins to Como City & 45 mins to Milan ...


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Recently Renovated Apartment, Carate Urio, Lake Como - €220000.00EUR2 Bedroom Lake Como Apartment for sale. Recently renovated and close to the lake with lake views. 15 mins from Como City & 45 mins from Milan...


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Regina Apartments, Sala Comacina, Lake Como - €225000.00EUR14 apartments 1 ,2 & 3 Bedrooms with shared pool. Terraces & Balconies, Lake Views and located close to the lake. Walking distance to local amenities on the western shores of Lake Como.

TOP 5 Property LAKE COMOBelvedere Apartments, Bellano, Lake Como
€226180.00EURDo you want to speak to us about any of our properties
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Florence Great Art!

Great art, in particular art from the Renaissance, is one of the chief reasons that tourists visit Florence. Some of history's most famous artists and some of the art world's greatest masterpieces are located in Florence. If you're visiting Florence for art, these are the artists that you don't want to miss.

Michelangelo
The great artist Michelangelo Buonarotti is well represented in Florence, with works in the Bargello and the Galleria dell'Accademia. Michelangelo's most famous masterpiece, his statue of David, is located in the Accademia, with copies of the original in front of the Palazzo Vecchio as well as in Piazzale Michelangelo, a large square that provides a panorama of the city.

Italy Cooking Regions

Southern Italy is a land of contrasts; on the one hand it is the poorest section of Italy, and in the past much of the population subsisted on an almost exclusively vegetarian diet, eating greens and bread or pasta. On other, the nobility was extraordinarily wealthy, enjoying a rich and extremely refined diet.

With respect to Northern and Central Italy there is greater use of dried pasta (as opposed to egg pasta), though people also enjoy vegetable based soups, and entrees, many of which also include fish. In terms of meat, though there are cattle, historically the South is known for shepherding, and lamb and kid play a much more important role in the diet than they do in much of the north. Fish also contribute strongly, and indeed in many coastal areas dominate.

The growing season is much longer, and hotter in the South; among the most popular summer vegetables are tomatoes (many of which go into red sauces) and eggplant, whereas in the winter months broccoli raab and cauliflower come to the fore.

Southern cheeses are also worth mentioning; they tend to be firm, for example caciocavallo and provolone, though there is a wonderful exception: Mozzarella.

Finally, Southern desserts tend to be much more opulent than those made further north.

Bellagio Fever 1

Bellagio Fever 2

Viva Italia!

The Butcher if Panzano, "To Beef or not to "Beef" That is the question!

Lake Como Winter Pics

February 2011 in Mannagio, Lake Como

La Verdania, Chianti Tuscany 2 Weeks in Sept 2011, Can't wait!

Winter outside our window.. Il Poggio. Bellagio

Tuscany ...The 2011 Destination La Verdania

Don't Need to Translate...Just Watch!

Tour The World on This Website Click Below

http://www.jcdurand.ca/Monde/Tour.html

Lake Como Famous Paddle Wheeler

A Festival In Ischia

Lake Como Golf...Looks Like Fun!

Ischia One More Time!

Never Left Lake Como

The Italian Job

Lake Como Stunning Video

Italian Humor!

A Peek of Lake Como from Varenna

Lake Como and Beyond

Bellagio Fever Week One 2010

Bellagio Fever Week Two 2010

The Day Before

UPdate:  We have a ton of people visiting in and around Bellagio, northern Italy from May 22nd to June 5th.

Two groups, splitting one week each, and planning on a "dream vacation."
The volcano in Iceland, the one with the funny name, is creating a "poop" load of trepidation, leading most of the travelers to check hourly, and daily updates with the airlines they booked, to give them hope that the giant ash cloud will not ruin any plans.
Most of us have been packing bits and pieces of clothing, hoping not to over stock our wardrobe.  No matter how many short or long trips we take, looking back, they're either to many pants, jackets, shoes, etc. and we jog our mind to figure out how to cope with rain, wind, heat and undergarments.
Packing light, one small suitcase, and backpack or carry-on will be the order of the day in my book.
Gonna keep checking with the airlines, see if their are cancellations, delays, get to the airport three 3 hours early, and pray we get the first and second leg of our trip completed.
Hopefully, sleeping on the plane will take care of the glare and tired eyes that seem to be the result of jet lag.
Can't wait for a bowl of pasta and a nice glass of wine. 
Kathy, Rocco, Nick and Mike.....looking forward to a great time.

Beware of Mosquitoes-Bring Repellent!

My Friend currently visiting Italy reminds
When I arrived at home late last night, I threw open the doors to the deck for a last night cap when I was attacked by a battalion of those famed “no see um” Italian mosquitoes that take hunks out of every conceivable piece of flesh not covered by insect repellent, which, of couse, I forgot to put on.
These guys are different from their American counterparts: They appear last at night and just Kamikazee on you like crazy.
They are stealth mosquitoes too. Silent. Undetected. Two thousand years of evolution. They specialize in big American guys just returning from Naxos. They hit and run before the brain registers the bite.
Today I prepare. I will buy some netting and put it around my deck. If that doesn’t work, I will buy a blow torch, a hammer, maybe even a wet suit.
I am American you know from New England. Yankee ingenuity. I will teach them.

Euro Flight Update for Wednesday May 12

12 May 2010
As of 10.00 CET on 12 May 2010, EUROCONTROL has the following update to make with regard to the situation of air traffic in Europe:
Today EUROCONTROL expects normal amounts of traffic across Europe.
The areas of high ash concentration at high altitude which had caused major difficulties in recent days over the Atlantic and the Iberian Peninsula dispersed during the night.
Areas of high ash concentration at lower altitudes are still causing some difficulties for trans-Atlantic flights. They are also affecting Madeira and the Azores. Areas of high ash concentration at lower altitudes, which could result in airport closures, are currently found in the Mediterranean between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands, and are moving north east. At the current time all airports are available, however with the Balearic Islands airports operating at reduced capacity.
According to the forecasts, the areas of higher ash concentration are expected to dissipate further during the day. The latest ‘Air Ash Concentration Charts’ describing those areas where no-fly zone proposals have been made to the EUROCONTROL Member States are attached.
On Tuesday 11 May, there were 27,807 flights within the EUROCONTROL CFMU area, which is approximately 500 below normal traffic levels.

Euro Plane Traffic Monday May 10

Update on European air traffic situation - 10.00 CET

10 May 2010

As of 10.00 CET on 10 May 2010, EUROCONTROL has the following update to make with regard to the situation of air traffic in Europe:
Today EUROCONTROL expects approximately 28,500 flights within the European area which is about 500 below average for a Monday at this time of year.
Areas of high ash concentration have dispersed overnight over continental Europe. There is an area of ash cloud in the middle of the North Atlantic which is impacting transatlantic flights. While most of these flights are operating, many are having to make significant reroutings to avoid the area of ash cloud coverage, resulting in delays.
At the current time no airports are closed in Europe. According to the forecasts, during the afternoon, areas of higher ash concentration could move in a north-easterly direction from the Atlantic into the Iberian Peninsula. The latest ‘Air Ash Concentration Charts’, valid at 14.00CET describing those areas where no-fly zone proposals have been made to the EUROCONTROL Member States are attached.
On Sunday 9 May, there were 23,491 flights within the EUROCONTROL CFMU area, which is about 1,500 below normal traffic levels.

Welcome to Managgio

Lake Como and Beyond

Lombardy Wine Regions

Lake Como in Italian Still Beautiful

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1815768309

Trip Planning Around Lake Como

http://www.travelplan.it/how_to_use.htm

Eating in Lombardy Region of Italy

Food and Wine The Lombardy Region

Lombard cuisine includes lots of rice, vegetables and cheese, with long cooking times and often single dishes. Polenta reigns in the kitchen. Risotto, such as the dish “Risotto alla Milanese” is also renowned, as are pasta with fillings, such as Casonsei from Bergamo and Brescia, Marubin from Cremona or pumpkin ravioli from Mantova. Valtellina is home to Pizzoccheri, pasta made from buckwheat. Meat dishes include the famous Milanese fillet (covered in breadcrumbs and fried), but stew and game are also traditional dishes. One of Lombardy’s most symbolic dishes has to be Casöla, a rich stew with cabbage and pork.
Cold cuts have ancient aromas and flavors: Cotechino, pork meat that requires some cooking, Brianza salami, Varzi salami, Cremona salami, goose salami from Mortara, Violino di Capra from Valchiavenna and the famous Bresaola from Valtellina, made from seasoned beef thigh.
Cheese produced in Lombardy is synonymous with high quality. Each area has its own little gem: Casera and Bitto from Valtellina, Provolone, Grana and fresh Crescenza from Valpadana, Quartirolo, Bagoss, Formai de Mut and Taleggio from the valleys around Bergamo and Brescia, not to mention one of the most famous Italian cheeses, Gorgonzola.
Wine from Lombardy boasts an ancient tradition and is produced in three main areas. Franciacorta, an area between Bergamo and Brescia, which produces excellent white and red wines, as well as the most famous Italian sparkling wine: Franciacorta DOCG. Oltrepò Pavese is a hillside area south of Pavia where 16 white and red DOC wines are produced, lying among the old villages and castles. Lastly, Valtellina produces great red wines such as Valtellina Superiore or vintage “Sfursat”. The area is famous for its cultivation of vineyards on terraced land supported by stones that cling to the steep slopes.

Great Pictures of Lake Como Area

http://www.visit-comolake.com/

http://www.visit-comolake.com/altolario/fotohd/Bellagio/

Trains Milan to Lake Como

Trains from Milan to Lake Como
Trains from Milan to Lake Como run regularly from Milan Centrale and Porta Garibaldi train stations to\Lake Como San Giovanni train station.
Trains leave Milan Centrale and Porta Garibaldi train stations for Lake Como San Giovanni train station several times an hour. Trains from Lake Como to Milan return at similar intervals.
The total train time from Milan to Lake Como ranges from 33 minutes to 1h4m, depending on what train you take.
The cost of a one-way train ticket from Milan to Lake Como can be as low as 3.60 EUR for standard class on slow trains and 7.50 EUR for standard class on fast trains, but can be more expensive if you book close to the day of travel.

Lake Como Ferry Scenic Route

When visiting Lake Como, one of the best ways to see the lake is to take a Lake Como ferry.

Lake Como ferry boats stop at all major towns on Lake Como, including favorites like Como, Bellagio and Tremezzo (for Villa Carlotta).
There are several different kinds of Lake Como ferry services, including slow boats, express boats, and boats that only run on certain days and times.
Lake Como ferry boats run regularly throughout the day. Schedules can be picked up at any ferry ticket office.
Some ferry offices also have information desks where you can speak to a representative to get more information about Lake Como ferry departure and arrival times, ticket prices, and other information.
Lake Como ferry prices depend on where you are going. For some ferries, like the ferry from Como to Bellagio, you must buy one way tickets each way if you take the express ferry. These ferry tickets cost 11.70 EUR one way.
You must also pay a 1 EUR surcharge if you purchase your Lake Como ferry ticket on board the ferry, so it’s best to purchase tickets at the ticket office in advance.

Milan Airport Opens

The Enac has ordered the reopening of the entire airspace with effect from 12: 00 on Tuesday, 20 April (Italian time), having removed the limitation which authorised to flight the only domestic air routes. Therefore from across the country, including the North of Italy, will be restored schedule flights to any destination, international and intercontinental (es. Asia, North and South America, Africa, southern Europe). Will be excluded from the restore links only airports in Northern Europe still closed, for which you will have to wait for the decisions of local civil aviation authority. The Enac confirms that the reopening of airspace Italian will continue to be accompanied by constant technical monitoring of aircraft, according to strict criteria of safety.

SEA recommends all departing passengers, before arriving at the airport, contact their airline to have information on the conditions of their flight.

Re: Train Help Venice to Bellagio

Re: Train Help Venice to Bellagio

There are two ways of getting from Venice to Bellagio.
(1) Take a train to Como, then either bus or ferry to Bellagio.
 (2) Take a train to Varenna, then the short ferry ride to Bellagio. In both cases, you have to change trains in Milan.
There is no need to book in advance: buy the tickets in Italy.

Bellagio Side Trip Worth Taking

Bergamo (Berghem in Lombard) is a town in Lombardy, Italy, about 40km northeast of Milan. The commune is home to around 117,000 inhabitants. It is served by the Orio al Serio International Airport, which also serves the Province of Bergamo, and to a lesser extent Milan. The foothills of the Alps begin immediately north of the town.

FYI Getting there and General Info Bellagio "Copy That!"

BOOKING VOUCHER TO BE GIVEN TO KEYHOLDER ON ARRIVAL: VILLA 7830

WE HIGHLY RECOMEND TO CALL THE HOUSEKEEPER THE WEEK
BEFORE THE ARRIVAL TO FIX AN APPROX APPOINTMENT
PLEASE CALL ONCE LANDED IF LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT
From Bergamo take direction Lecco and then Bellagio
From Milano Linate take direction Lecco and then Bellagio
From Milano Malpensa may be to go to Como and then Bellagio ( even if I always
advice to go trhough Lecco due to the better road)
Coming from Lecco on the right shore of the lake overcome:
Onno – Oliveto Lario –
When you arrive to see indication : BELLAGIO
At the first roundabout take direction: Erba e Guello.
After 100 mt you will see a church – if you continue you will find via Suira number
40
Please go till the end of the road and you will find a fenced property
Tel to call: Francesca at: 0039/335/7118943 or 0039 / 347/1361449 -
PLEASE TAKE NOTE YOU WILL BE ASKED ON ARRIVAL OF SECURITY DEPOSIT
EUROS : €1500 - To be refunded at the end of the stay
 We will have 15 people the first week and 13 the second week. Each week we would like
DATES: Rental time: 22 may 5 june 2010
NO OF NIGHTS: 14
ARRIVAL DETAILS : 22 may 2010
RENTAL DETAILS:
Rental 14 overnights, Water gas electricity , final cleanings: paied
Bed Sheets and Towels: provided at the beginning of the stay
HEATING: included
Please let us know for dinners in advance if you like to book them
Pre payment 2 dinners received: : 500 euros to be balanced on place plus food bills
CHECK IN: after 16.00 p.m. before 20 p.m. : 22 may 2010

CHECK OUT: before 10.00 a.m. 29 may 2010

Live Web Cam Bellagio/Lake Como

http://www.albergometropole.it/lake-como-webcam.htm

Travel Tips From Women

10 SMART TRAVEL TIPS FROM WOMEN

1. My mom always says bring your swimsuit and one easy outfit in your carry on so you won't lose a vacation day if checked bags are lost - Lindsay
2. If you are traveling with someone else, pack a few things in their luggage and a few of their things in your luggage. Then, if God forbid, one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some things to wear. - Leslie
3. Bring your children with you on trips. They get to experience the world in a new and exciting way. You will teach them to have a love for both travel and adventure, and you'll get to see them learning about the world and new places. It's almost like experiencing things again yourself for the first time. What is more beautiful than that? - Michelle
4. Throw out any leftover shampoo, hand lotion etc when going home. This leaves room for souvenirs that you haven't shipped home. - Judy
5. When I travel alone I wear a fake engagement ring and wedding band on my ring finger. It helps keep away unwanted attention. - Jen
6. Be spontaneous. When you're spontaneous, sometimes great things happen, and sometimes not so good things happen, but if you've got a good sense of humor the bad times can leave the best (funniest) memories. - Susan
7. Don't stress! Besides doing some research before you go about what is available (i.e., sailing, snorkeling, hiking tours, etc.) go without much of an agenda at all, except to have FUN! - Julia
8. Make an effort to go somewhere every other month. Even if it's a 2-3 hour road trip away from home. Work gets monotonous and I need to get a dose of the "travel bug" every now and then to keep things interesting. - Marena
9. Pack an amazing convertible dress like the American Apparel Cotton Jersey Bandeau Dress - $43 . It's space-saving magic - Gina
10. I email myself AND my mother a copy of my passport, my itinerary, and the international phone numbers for my credit cards. If I can't get online, I know I can call my mum should anything get stolen. - Morgan

FYI

Normally we don't repeat stories that are flat-out wrong -- unless, of course, they fulfill some sort of dreamy celebrity fantasy we have, and we think it'd be really cool if they were true.

Which is why we'd like to make it quite clear that George Clooney did NOT buy girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis an island off Italy's Lake Como, no matter what OK! magazine reported. Not, no, didn't, nuh-uh. We thank Gossip Cop for doing the legwork so that we can run this nice pic of the couple together in the rain on the Golden Globes red carpet.

Happy Easter

Milan to Lake Como Train, Bus, Car

Getting There -- By Train --
One to three trains hourly connect Milan and Como's Stazione San Giovanni on Piazzale San Gottardo (regional: from Milan's Piazza Garibaldi station, 55-60 min.; high-speed: from Milan's Stazione Centrale station, 40 min.).

Visitor Information -- The regional tourist office dispenses a wealth of information on hotels, restaurants, and campgrounds around the lake from its offices at Piazza Cavour 17 (tel. 031-269-712 or 031-264-215; www.lakecomo.org). It's open daily 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm (sometimes closed Sun in winter). There is also a city tourist office in a little trailer that has moved around a bit since it opened in 2000, but it stays near Piazza del Duomo and seems to have settled on a spot along Via Maestri Comacini around the right side of the cathedral (tel. 031-337-1063). It's open Monday to Friday 10am to 12:30pm and 2:30 to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
Bellagio & the Central Lake Region
By far the loveliest spot on the lake (and where travelers should definitely set their sights) is the section known as the Centro Lago. Three towns -- Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio -- sit across the water from one another on three different shorelines.
Getting There & Getting Around -- By Train -- The closest train stations to Bellagio and the other Central Lake towns are in Como -- from which you can continue by bus or boat -- or, more conveniently, in Varenna, with trains hourly to Milan (about 70 min.). If you're planning to leave the central part of the lake after dinner, the 10:30pm train from Varenna to Milan (with an hour stopover in Lecco) will be your last chance to do so. Tip: The ticket window at Varenna's station is rarely, if ever, open, and the automatic ticket machine has been broken for at least 6 years. Get on without a ticket, and in the rare case that a ticket collector appears, explain that you got on in Varenna, and you will pay a regular price ticket on board.
By Boat -- From Como, boats stop first at Bellagio: by ferry 2 hours; by hydrofoil 35 to 45 minutes. They continue on to Menaggio: by ferry, another 15 minutes; by hydrofoil, another 5 minutes. About half the boats then stop in Varenna as well (plus there are about two dozen short-haul ferries each from Bellagio and Menaggio to Varenna): by ferry, another 10 minutes; by hydrofoil, another 5 minutes. You can also get day passes good for just the central lake or for the whole lake.
Many of the ferries carry cars for an additional fee. Schedules vary with the season, but from Easter through September a ferry or hydrofoil makes the trip from Como to Bellagio and other towns along the lake at least hourly. For more information, contact Navigazione Lago di Como (tel. 800-551-801 or 031-579-211); the office is on the lakefront in Como on Lungo Lario Trieste.
By Bus -- One to three SPT buses (tel. 031-304-744) per hour travel from Como to Bellagio (a little more than 1 hr.). Hourly buses to Menaggio take a little more than an hour. Buses leave Como from in front of the main train station; get tickets at the bar inside.
By Car -- Bellagio is connected to Como by a picturesque lakeshore road, S583, which can be very crowded in summer. The A9 links Como with Milan in about an hour. To reach Menaggio from Como, follow route S340 along the western shore of the lake. For Varenna, follow S342 to Nibionno, a speck of a town where it intersects with S36, which runs north through industrialized Lecco and then along the lake's eastern shore. All these roads tend to be crowded, especially on weekends and in summer, so allow at least an hour of traveling time.
Bellagio
Bellagio is at the tip of the peninsula at a point where the lake forks into three distinct basins: One long leg sweeps north into the Alps, Como is at the southern end of the western leg, and Lecco is at the southern end of the eastern leg. Boats from Bellagio make it easy to visit the nearby shores of the Centro Lago -- not that you'll be in a great hurry to leave this pretty old town, with its steep narrow streets, lakeside piazza, and beautiful gardens.
Festivals & Markets -- A pleasant way to spend a summer evening in Bellagio is at one of the concerts held in the Chiesa di Cappuccini, on the grounds of the Rockefeller Foundation between June and July. Bellagio's outdoor market fills the waterfront every third Wednesday of the month.
Visitor Information -- The Bellagio tourist office is at Piazza d. Chiesa 14 (tel./fax 031-950-204; www.bellagiolakecomo.com). Its hours are Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 9am to noon and 3 to 6pm, Tuesday and Sunday from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 3:30 to 5:30pm.
Varenna
You can happily spend some time clambering up and down the steep steps that substitute for streets in this charming village (on the eastern shore of the lake, about 20 min. by ferry from Bellagio) that until not too long ago made its living by fishing. The main attractions, though, are outside town.
The hilltop ruins of the Castello di Vezio (tel. 0341-831-000) are about a 20-minute walk above the town on a gradually ascending path. The main reason for a visit is to enjoy the stunning views of the lake, its shoreline villages, and the backdrop of mountains at the northern end. May to June the castle is open daily 10am to 6pm, July to September 11am to 8pm; admission is 1€ ($1.30).
The gardens of the Villa Monastero (tel. 0341-830-129) are more easily accessible, at the southern edge of town along Via 4 Novembre, and you can reach them by following the series of lakeside promenades through the Old Town from the ferry landing. This villa and the terraced gardens that rise up from the lakeshore were once a not-so-spartan monastery -- until it was dissolved in the late 17th century when the nuns in residence began bearing living proof that they were on too-friendly terms with the priests across the way. If you find it hard to tear yourself from the bowers of citrus trees and rhododendrons clinging to terraces, you'll find equally enchanting surroundings in the adjoining gardens of the Villa Cipressi (tel. 0341-830-113).
Both gardens are open daily March to October: Villa Monastero 10am to 7pm and Villa Cipressi 9am to 7pm. Admission is 2€ ($2.60) for adults (1.30€/$1.70 for children under 10 and seniors over 60) to just one garden, 3.50€ ($4.55) adults (2.50€/$3.25 kids and seniors) to visit both. Call tel. 0341-830-113 for more details.
In season, ferries make the 20-minute run between Bellagio and Varenna about every half-hour. There's a tiny tourist office at Piazza Venini, 1 (tel. 0341-830-367; www.varennaitaly.com), open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 12:30pm and Tuesday to Saturday 3 to 6pm.
Menaggio
This lively resort town hugs the western shore of the lake, across from Bellagio on its peninsula and Varenna on the distant shore. Hikers should stop in at the tourist office on Piazza Garibaldi 8 (tel./fax 0344-32-924; www.menaggio.com), open Monday to Saturday 9am to noon and 3 to 6pm (July-Aug also Sun 7:30am-6:30pm). The very helpful staff distributes a booklet, Hiking in the Area around Menaggio, with descriptions of more than a dozen walks, with maps and instructions on what buses to take to trail heads. The town's bus stop is at Piazza Garibaldi (Sun on Via Mazzini); tickets are sold at Bar Centrale or the newsstand on Via Calvi at the piazza.
The major nearby attraction is about 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) south of town: The Villa Carlotta (tel. 0344-40-405; www.villacarlotta.it) is the most famous villa on the lake and was begun in 1643 for the Marquis Giorgio Clerici, who made his fortune supplying Napoleon's troops with uniforms; he spent much of it on this neoclassical villa and gardens. After a succession of owners, including Prussian royalty who lavished their funds and attention on the gardens, the villa is now in the hands of the Italian government. It's filled with romantic paintings, statues by Canova and his imitators, and Empire furnishings, but the gardens are the main attraction, with azaleas, orchids, banana trees, cacti, palms, and forests of ferns spreading in all directions. You can take the no. C10 bus from Menaggio or walk along the lake (about 30-45 min.). The nearest ferry landing is at Cadenabbia, just north of the gardens, though ferries to Menaggio are more frequent. The villa and gardens are open daily March through October from 9am to 4:30pm (the villa is closed from noon to 2pm), and April through September from 9am to 6pm. Admission is 7.50€ ($9.75) for adults and 3.75€ ($5) for seniors over 65 and students.