Kilometres walked : Saturday 5.5 km, Sunday 12.6 km, Monday 16 km.

Floors Climbed : 59

Monday 29th May, 2023.

Well after stopping for a quick 2 nights in Milan we can confirm that we will never return. It was very dirty and quite frankly just boring and very dark and dull. Anyway moving on we are now at Varenna on the shores of Lake Como and what a delightful little place it is. After a landslide along the train line just before Fiemelatte a week ago which is just before Varenna we had to jump off the train at Lierna and catch a boat to Varenna which I have to say was a really lovely way to arrive.

We were very pleased with our choice to stay here. With all the colourful buildings and the character and all the greenery its just so pretty. After an early check in we found a fabulous locals cafe to have lunch (away from the tourists) and then went off exploring (yep you guessed it) the cobblestone streets. Opting to avoid the lunchtime crowds along the waterfront we headed out of town towards Fiumelatte where the White Milk Water Stream is. Being among the shortest water courses in Italy at only 250m from its source roaring down the valley into the lake. With an average gradient of 36 degrees its fast moving waters are foamy giving it a milky white appearance hence the nick name. It is also seasonal and usually appears at the end of March and disappears by October. We felt very privileged to see this, Jason was super excited by the fact that is just basically a aquifer which’s comes straight out of the mountain side. The noise it created was absolutely phenomenal and the temperature dropped dramatically as you neared it and then even more once you were standing beside it.

Heading back into Varenna and noticing the crowds had diminished substantially we wandered around a little more. It still amazes me how these places are built right on the edge of the water and then keep going straight up the hills. All the beautiful gardens have been perfectly terraced and cute narrow stone staircases lead you through to the higher sections. No space is wasted which we just love.

Varenna. Wow what a beautiful place! A sense of calm and serenity washes over you once the crowds thin out. Watching the sun set behind the mountains and the soft shimmering light sparkle across the lake reminds you that life is wonderful.