Lake Como.

What a great day. If you read the tourist guides on the Italian Lakes they all say no visit is complete without
A ferry ride across the lake itself. As such it would be crazy to ignore this advice, especially as we are on a tight schedule and need to maximise our time here.  Up early and out onto the lakeside. As I mentioned before our hotel was directly opposite the ferry jetty so a quick hop, skip and jump had us standing outside the ticket office. 20 euros each and we were ticket in hand waiting for the 10 o'clock ferry to Bellagio. A two hour sail approximately half way up the lake northwards towards the Alps. The ferry's provide an essential transport link for the numerous villages scattered along the lakes shore as well as a "must do" item on the tourist itinery.

They run regularly up and down the lake on a near clockwork type basis. Basic no frills but very efficient.
The boat was busy but not packed and there were plenty seats on the open air rear deck of the boat.  I can't help but compare this trip to the lake district steamers back home in Cumbria. The last time I used the Cumbrian boats it cost us eighteen quid each for a twenty minute sail, one way, from ambleside to Bowness. Here it was eighteen quid for a four hour return journey. Get a grip and realise your ripping people off my little Cumbrian friends. Rant over.

I can't describe the journey so I'll let the photos do it for me....

We had a lovely few hours in Bellagio before an equally stunning ride back to Como. Crispy was exhausted with all the excitement and managed to sleep for the majority of the return journey. Bless her.

Back to Como, on time, and back to the hotel for a quick freshen up before once again heading into the town for a bite to eat and a well earned glass of vino.
Busy day tomorrow as we need to get back to Milan to try and get a train to Venice. Como has been wonderful and I'm sure we will return again. The wines kicked in and Crispy is once again in the land of nod so I had better join her.

Bare and Crispy signing off. Como,Italy