Kilometres Walked : 10

Wednesday 31st May, 2023

The Italians really know how to build Villa’s and create magical gardens surrounding them. Pencil Pines, Conifers, Sweet smelling Roses, Palms, Hydrangeas (another flower I have a new appreciation for), Trailing Jasmine Vines, Aromatic Herbs, Fountains, Marble Statues, Grottos, Pebble Paths, Marble Seating, Mosaic Features, Concrete Balustrading, and wouldn’t you know it the good old Bright Red Calistemon. Yes we have seen quite a few here and they are thriving with the brightest red blooms buzzing with bee’s. Villa Monastero right here in Varenna and right on the waterfront is another example of Italian Style and Creativity. With 2 kilometres of waterfront gardens to completely enrapture us and a Beautiful Villa in the middle we easily spent 4 hours leisurely wandering around in awe.

Again we didn’t manage to get a full blue sky but it did start to clear up and we didn’t have any rain. The Interior of the Villa was just beautiful with as usual copious amounts of marble, terrazzo floors, intricately carved timber furnishings, vaulted ceilings, stunning views, a magical bathroom, secret doors and the most stunning sweeping staircase in you guessed it, Marble!

Gaining even more inspiration for home we finished off the day catching up with another lovely Brisbane couple who we randomly met whilst waiting at Milan Train Station. After a brief conversation we not only realised we were all from Brisbane, but we also have Tenterfield connections and we were all heading to Lake Como! How small is the world.