Travel Day To Lake Como

 July 15

Today was a L-O-N-G bus day, but despite that it turned out to be a photo-op filled day.  We left the ship around 8am with an anticipated two hours to a rest stop.  There we were told it would be "about an hour" to our lunch and city tour in Bellinzona - depending on traffic.  But talking with our cruise director Lucas at the stop he told us that the tunnel through the mountains was currently closed and we may have to go with a "Plan B."  

Our break stop - scenic as is all of Switzerland

We were on the highway for about half an hour and then took a side route for our "Plan B" detour.  For the next two hours it was like a drive through Alaska - the scenery just amazing.  We took winding roads up, UP, UP the mountain until we reached the summit nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and then would our way back down the mountain.  Check out some of the best photos from along the way

The road we took to reach the top :O

After all this time - including the additional detour time we were ready for a "walking tour" if for no other reason than to stretch our legs by walking around the quaint Swiss town on the Italian border of Bellinzona.  But it was quickly obvious that something was amiss as the bus guides began heatedly talking.  Then we were told that the city tour guides had LEFT because we were late.  WOW.  So we had time to just go for lunch.  We checked out the sites as we headed down one side street and found a nice local pizzeria.

One of the three castles in Bellinzona

Street scenes in Bellinzona

The second of the three castles

Lunch

Photo op after lunch

The third castle along the medieval city walls

Within an hour of leaving Bellinzona we arrived in Como and pulled into our Hotel-Resort-Spa, the Grand Hotel Imperiale and checked into Room 403.  Our room isn't large but the few over our small balcony is of Lake Como :)  After an hour or so of unpacking etc. the group met downstairs for a traditional Italian dinner.

Tomorrow a walking tour is offered in the morning but after eight days of on-the-go schedules we've opted to just enjoy the amenities of this spa-resort right on the waterfront.  Pics from the hotel tomorrow!  Then on Wednesday, our final day, we have the cruise of Lake Como past all of the luxury mansions and then a stop at Bellagio (where we were briefly in the spring).