Italy forever and ever
I fell in love with Italy a long time ago, but somehow everything didn’t work out, but at the end of March, UIA tickets to Milan caught my eye, and even at a great price. Well, you need to buy without delay. And so, the tickets were bought and there was nothing left - to plan the route. For the first time in our lives we fly ourselves, without using the services of a travel agency. I took it seriously and got such a route: Milan - 3 incomplete days, of which one day on Lake Como, two days on Lake Garda and one day in Venice. We were returning from Venice back to Milan. I booked all hotels with breakfast through booking, traveled around Italy exclusively on frecciarossa high-speed trains, train tickets were also booked in advance, after registering on the Trenitalia website. So, Milan: we stayed at the Grand Hotel Barone Di Sassj 4 *, the hotel was once on the level, now a little tired, but for an overnight stay it’s a normal option. 20 minutes to the center by metro (red line). At first, the subway in Milan seemed like a nightmare, but on the second day we sorted it out and navigated without problems. The first stop to visit is, of course, the Duomo. . At the sight of this "flaming gothic" is breathtaking!! ! You can admire it endlessly! Be sure to go up to the roof of the Duomo, as "one has not seen the Duomo who has not been on its roof. " Very impressive, despite the fact that reconstruction is underway. The terraces of the Duomo are a must to visit. Further, the gallery of Vittorio Emanuel, although there are a lot of people, but very atmospheric, I liked it. Further according to the plan - the "Golden Square" and the Sforza Castle, and from it within walking distance - the Sempione Park and the arch of the same name. The park is very pretty. Next - the Navigli canals - the most picturesque area of Milan, with a very pleasant walking area. We easily found the famous “washerwomen” street, in general, a walk around Milan turned out to be measured, without fuss and running around. Milan seemed to be a very businesslike, energetic and dynamic city. It’s a paradox, in the “fashionable” capital - I haven’t seen fashionable people, everything is somehow usual, without pathos. The villas on Lake Como haunted me for a long time, and in the morning we left the Milan railway station for Varenna. It’s not much to go at all - about an hour, the train enters the tunnel and now we have the expanse of Lake Como in front of us. All the cities on Lake Como are very picturesque, it is useless to write anything, you need to see it with your own eyes. From Varenna (after standing in line for the ferry for 40 minutes) we went to the most glamorous city - Bellagio. So what are you going to write here? Beauty in beauty, bravo, magnificent Italy!! ! You can wander the streets, go to shops, drink cappuccino in cafes, completely forgetting about time. Villa Melzi is located in Bellagio with a very beautiful park, a leisurely walk through which will take at least an hour. But time was running out and it's time to go further, namely to the most beautiful (this is my personal opinion) beautiful Villa Balbianello, and getting to it is not so easy: by ferry from Bellagio to the town of Lenno, and from there by water taxi directly to the villa itself (you can also walk, but it takes a long time to walk, and the villa closes at 18:00). Villa Balbianella with its beautiful garden, mansion and grounds is heaven on earth. It is located on a green peninsula, stretched deep into the lake, in one of the most beautiful places, and the architecture and natural landscape create an ensemble of indescribable beauty. . God, how little time! There was no time left for Villa Carlotta… well, another time! With Lenno we went on the ferry back to Varenna, where we had dinner and on the train to Milan. Next, transfer from Milan to Peschiera, and from there by bus (about 1 hour) to Malcesine, or rather Assenzo di Brenzone, 5 kilometers from Malcesine, where I booked the Drago Hotel (we got a room with a view of Lake Garda !! ). Well, Malcesine is also considered a pearl, only Lake Garda, the same narrow cobbled streets, immersed in greenery, shops, cafes, boats and the atmosphere, the atmosphere of the holiday and the feeling that life is good ! ! Of the attractions - the castle, well, perhaps, that's all, and Malcesine itself is already a landmark! On a large ferry we sail to the neighboring Limone sul Garda! God, how can it be so beautiful? ? The embankment, the streets... I never cease to admire all this! Limone is more intended for a beach holiday, there are equipped beaches, and cute lemons are everywhere - a symbol of the town. Two days flew by and did not notice, all in one breath. Well, there remains Venice. I read a lot of mixed reviews about her, then the crowds of people infuriated someone, and the channels stank for someone. I'll say it's all bullshit. I liked Venice, it's very unusual, not like anyone else, it's the only one in the entire universe. I was face-to-face with her, people didn’t bother me, and in the evening, when the dim lights lit up and began to reflect in her channels, she became so pleasant, cozy and enveloped in her magic that I didn’t want to return to the hotel at all. By the way, the hotel was booked in Mestre, a satellite town of Venice. Having completed the standard minimum program in Venice, we went to Milan (about 2.5 hours to go). We flew back from Bergamo, at the airport there is a strict inspection of hand luggage, not like we have in Boryspil. This is how our trip to Italy turned out, we were a little tired, but the emotions were overflowing and the impressions went off scale! I will definitely go next time to the Amalfi Coast, because Italy is my love! !
