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Post by Jerry1971 on Oct 14, 2020 21:51:43 GMT
Como: A jewel of a place, much nicer than Milan. Best Avoided: Barcelona. Sorry, but I just don't get it. I've been to watch Barca play and it was an experience, but as for the rest of it?? Bucharest: I first visited during the last days of Ceaucescu, and was stuck there when he said Ciao himself. It was a war zone then, and hadn't improved one bit when I went back in 2017. Not one for me sadly. I’m hoping to visit Como this Saturday actually. I was in Milan two weeks ago but my trip to Como was thwarted by Storm Alex. Thankfully the forecast for Saturday looks good. It did make me explore some of the nicer areas of Milan. Milan certainly isn’t renowned for being a pretty city. Barcelona - best to avoid the tourist traps I think. I had a great time on a stag do but I definitely preferred Madrid for an all round experience. Bucharest - it’s an interesting place. You can tell it’s still quite poor but has had plenty of EU money pumped into it. Clubbing and bars are cheap (or were....do they even exist in the ‘new normal’?). It also has that sleazy underbelly though. I’m not sure I’d make a special trip to go there on my own dollar but you can certainly have fun if someone else is paying. Nick Jealous! In 2008 Mrs Jerry and I very nearly bought an apartment in a small town called Moltrasio, about 7km from Como as, being childless at the time, we had figured out a home working idea splitting ourselves six months each year in Cambridge and six months in Lombardia. Child then appeared and idea went away, almost as we’d committed to it! As such, if you feel like it, have a ride on the magnificent Navigazione (the Como Lake Boats) to Moltrasio and have lunch at Albergho Posta, directly opposite the ferry stop. It’s excellent! We’ve been to Como many times over the years and it still feels like a home from home.
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Post by kentishu on Oct 15, 2020 19:49:40 GMT
I once had and paid for a simple lunch for 3 at Villa d'Este on Lake Como and I am still reeling from the expense to this day. Agree it's a beautiful area though.
I chose two smaller Romanian cities in my 3 because they have almost fully recovered from the bizarre Ceasescu years. But Bucharest is interesting too, gritty is a good word to describe it, but there are some beautiful places and buildings too. It's a lovely country as a whole, a far cry from the image portrayed by the UK media for political purposes, and the painted monasteries/wooden churches in Bucovina and Maramures are truly stunning.
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Post by Jerry1971 on Oct 16, 2020 9:56:19 GMT
I agree Kentish that there are some amazingly beautiful parts of Romania. Brasov and Brasov Poiana in particular (Dracula country!) are particularly spectacular.
I've never had lunch at Villa d'Este, but have driven past it many times. There is a wonderful restaurant in Cernobbio itself, only a short walk from the Villa, called Trattoria Vappore, and whenever we've eaten there it tends to be full of those staying at Villa d'Este.
One other City I forgot to praise beyond belief is also very nearly in my top 3 - Bologna. As with Madrid, it is a food paradise, you could simply go and eat and do nothing else, it really is fantastic. I first went in 1990 for the Italia World Cup (I followed most of the England games in that tournament) and we played, and beat Belgium in Bologna with a very late David Platt goal. I most recently went back last year, and the City really hasn't changed a bit. It is largely ignored by mass market tourists who head off like sheep to Florence, close by, and so if you choose your time well, Bologna is an absolute delight.
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Post by champair79 on Oct 18, 2020 17:04:15 GMT
Well I did my trip to Lake Como - what a lovely part of the world! I got the train from Milano Centrale up to Varenna. I had a wander around the town before getting the ferry across to Bellagio. Again, lovely if a little more touristy. Obviously there weren’t many tourists apart from Italians! I then got the hydrofoil to Como itself for an hour or two. Such stunning scenery and the weather was perfect for this time of year. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and it was a pleasant 17C. I didn’t realise how much bigger Como itself was compared to the other towns and villages by the lake. To me, most of it seemed like an extension of Milan but there were still some pretty places. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go up the funicular.
The only downsides - I wish I’d had a full weekend on the lake so I didn’t have to limit myself to a few hours in each place. And the masks - Italy is very strict and for good reason. Masks on at all times unless sat at a table, eating/drinking or in your own home. As it wasn’t busy, I managed to hide away occasionally for a few minutes away from people and breath freely. Full respect to anyone who has to wear face masks all day in their jobs. I honestly don’t know how you do it. Respect.
I fully intend to go back and explore further but who knows when that’ll be.
Nick
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Post by Jerry1971 on Oct 19, 2020 9:43:29 GMT
Stunningly jealous! (I had to make do with iFollow and an average showing at Scunthorpe!)
We’ve tended to avoid Bellagio - in normal times it is uber touristy and packed with irritating Americans, believing it is obviously where Clooney lives (he doesn’t) but still they flock. It is however a pretty little town and is absolutely worth a visit. For next time, Tremezzo (almost directly opposite) is also fantastic, and has the incredible Villa Carlotta to visit, which is a really good morning/afternoon visit.
I think the mask situation won’t be much different in the UK shortly, it is certainly moving in that direction. Hopefully it will help to get things back to more normality again.
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