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We took the short ferry ride from Menaggio to Bellagio, known as the Pearl of Lake Como. Just like the other towns we visited on Lake Como, it was stunning, but also a bit more touristy. 

 

 

My brother and I were getting really hungry, and were both in the mood for Pizza...hmmmm, where to find a Pizzaria? Well, we walked right into one as we stepped off the boat. Even the Steakhouses have pizza in Bellagio.

 

However, we ate at the Pizzaria Carillon on Lake Promenade. This Margherita pizza was by far my favorite pizza of all the pizza we had in Italy. (And we ate a LOT of Pizza.)

 

 

Bellagio hosts lots of shops, and (my favorite) art galleries and studios galore! We meandered up and down the cobbled stairways window shopping and talking to artists. (well, I talked, my brother waited patiently).

 

 

 

 

 

Bellagio landscapes hand painted on wine bottles  by artist Bruno Tagliapietra

 

Time for a gelato break...

Refreshing Lemon flavored this time.

 

This gentleman was speaking in Italian to a lady looking out her window. All I heard was "Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!"

 

It must have been time for school to let out, as kids were walking home from school. I kept thinking what it must be like for them, to live in such a charming village. It was just another typical day for them. I decided the following photo would be my 1st painting from Bellagio:

 

 

"Bella Bellagio" 12x12; available

 

I adore this street...from the hats, the colorful rugs, the artists galleries, to the distant mountains. It is definitely on my "to do"  list of future paintings. 

 

Something different at every turn...brightly colored hats and adorable doggy clothes (Squeal!) too cute.

 

Well, since I showed you the doggy clothes, I have to show off some of the "Bellagian" canines I came across.

(did I mention I can't resist dogs?! The white one really reminded me of Tibby.)

 

I did consider moving to Bellagio...I planned it all out in my head. I found my studio, right next door to the hair salon (my husband is a hairstylist!)...not to mention, George Clooney has a summer home in Laglio...one of the villages on Lake Como near Bellagio. What more could you ask for?

I don't think the resident artist was ready to sell though....

 

 We walked on and came to a more residential area; (at the time I wasn't sure exactly which village George Clooney lived in, so I kept my eyes peeled, and may have even called his name out a time or two just in case.) 

 

 

After a bit of walking up and down stairs, we came across a park on the Lake and just sat for a bit, and soaked in the beauty of God's creation.

 

 

For such a small village, there were quite a few gardens and parks.

 

 

 

As some of you know, my dream is to host an oil painting workshop in Italy someday. Before I left for Italy, I was in contact with an agency to get ideas on setting up this grand adventure. They had suggested the Hotel Metropole in Bellagio to use as a venue, so I was eager to check it out! 

 

It is a fabulous hotel, however they didn't really have a conference room that I felt would be big enough to host a workshop; however, we'd probably be painting outdoors most of the time, anyway! It's on the maybe list. Anywhere in Lake Como would certainly be a breathtaking venue to have a workshop...what do you think?!

 

It was time to say our goodbyes to Bellagio and head back to our temporary home in Varenna. Although it was an overcast afternoon, by the time we crossed the lake, out came the sun and gave us a beautiful performance as it said it's good nights. (Click to see video below).

 

                     

 

Our last night in Lake Como

We chose "bar Nilus", another lakeside restaurant to have dinner.  

 

Although it was a crisp, cool evening, the heat lamps kept us nice and toasty.

 

 

I was adventurous  and ordered an artichoke cheese Crepe'. It was an excellent choice. 

 

 

Time to say "arrivederci" to the enchanting Lake Como. Next stop...Verona, known for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

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