Haven't been able to put out their menu for the day. The morning rush is about over.

I could sit out here all day. Since the Italians love to eat, you are never given your bill until you ask for it. Once you have sat down and purchased something, you literally can sit there all day until you decide to leave. But don't ever sit down unless you plan on buying something.

A villa on the side of the lake.

This peninsula divides the lake into two parts. Our apartment is just opposite this peninsula. On the left side is the Lecco side, and the right is Como. Right behind it is the town of Bellagio. The lake is in an upside down Y shape.

We let the boys go swimming on the way back. I had to take this cause the girls asked if Todd was crying. I don't know if he is crying because he has to leave his beloved Italy which we all feel the same way about now or if he has to leave it with us. I didn't ask.

These steps are very similar to the ones we took the first day in Fiumelatte to get to our apartment. A little step followed by a large incline. I can't imagine what the old Italians ladies would do if they forgot something at the store. I wouldn't go back and get it. We would do without. We would be even thinner because I wouldn't have made the trek daily, once a week and I'm good.

A little side trail leading to a small grouping of homes I'm guessing. I didn't venture to see; already at 1100 calories burned this morning and we are only over half way done. Todd is counting with some app on his phone.

When you burn that many calories before the sun has crested the mountains, a reward of food is inevitable. I love all the outdoor restaurants. This is where you store your condiments and menus.

Kylie saw this restaurant that served crepes the day before. We decided this would be a great meal to get us ready for France and say good-bye to Italy.

Crepes and pizza.

See the sheer joy, especially for someone who didn't even want to go out this morning.

Now, we have the afternoon off ... I think... I hope Todd remembers that.

The cemetary at Chiesa Di S. Antonio, the town church. Some are buried, but most are cremated. Due to space or preference I am not sure.

A view of the church's bell tower. The streets are so narrow and carved out of the mountain that getting a complete view is on possible from an aerial shot. No big piazzas in this mountain towns.

Inside the Church of Saint Anthony of Vezio which dates back to 1458. Documents show that the land for the church was donated in 1368. Small but beautiful.

Taking a different route back down through the old cobblestone roads.

What would a castle be without birds of prey? Introduced in the middle ages by a population from Russia, these birds were only for the priviledged of society and became an institution starting in the sixth century. 

In World War I, an underground tunnel was used as an outpost for the defensive line Cadorna.

From 1915 to 1918, this was used to stop the Germans from invading Menaggio. The view from one of the pill boxes where machine guns were loaded. The views from the three pill boxes would allow the Italians to shoot at unsuspecting ships on their way to Menaggio across the lake. These are very damp and very dark and very narrow. Not the job I would like to have signed up for.

Another pill box in another outcropping. They were chiseled out of solid stone.

I don't think many of these, girls, were found in the tunnel during WWI.

Finally out.

Our ode to Arizona; I had to take a picture of the potted cacti. There are catci growing all along the edge of the castle wall, more of the mild weather plants.

During the middle ages, the castle was a good place for the people of Veranna to hideaway during attempts to takeover the town. The castle had a fortifying system around the village. Remnants of the wall can be seen on your entry and exit to the castle grounds.

Why don't our water fountains look like this?

Some armor leftover from days gone by, displayed in tower.

Ty viewing the town from his perch. The Comacini came after the war with Como in 1169, and built two watching towers, one of the right side of Lario and the other on the mountain overlooing all the lake. It would be very difficult to attack this stronghold head on because of its location.

The boys checking out the castle. Tyler found a crossbow in that alcove. We were told that old weapons were still laying around. It is so Italian not to worry about any of this, especially crossbows with little boys.

You are not seeing things, those are outlines of ghosts on the steps and under the stairs. The ghosts are made of white chalk every summer by using tourist. The volunteering tourist are covered in gauze and white chalk for twenty mintes until the chalk dries. The sculptures remain in the castle until the snows destroy them.

Modern day conveniences are seen by the roads connecting these mountain towns. Back in the day, these were walked.

Not my favorite tower to climb. I am more of a stone step girl, then I can't see how far I have come up so I don't know how far I have to go when I fall. Thank heavens the kids go ahead and let me know which stair is really lose.

The original mechanism to draw the door to the tower is still usd today.

What remains of one of the watch towers built, this one is on the lake side.

Because of the mild weather caused by the lake, on this side of the lake, the vegetation is mostly mediterrranean. The Castello di Vezio is actually in the middle of an olive grove which is most likely one of the most north situated groves in the world. On the other side of the castle, the vegetation is more alpine with chestnut, hazelnut and pine trees. It is not unusual to see a palm tree right next to a pine tree.

Resting after the hike.

An entrance to the castle. The origin of the fortification is not clear. The name, Vezio, is most likely Roman. This speculation comes from Roman family names listed on the dedications of the churches.

The boys atop the castle tower. Various historians think the first phase of building took place in the Byzantine Era, beginning in the 4th century B.C. The castle was used as a strategic military center and stopover for guards on the road from Bellano to Esino Lario. 

 

The girls on the drawbridge to the tower.

She could have been intimidating back in the day. She would have to lose the smile though.

Entrance to the grounds. The wooden statues are carved by a local artist, Luigi Gambato.

Todd promised Tanner a day off and this was it. We were only going to hike five miles up to castle and back. Then, the afternoon is off. Just a look at the views from the train as you travel through the countryside. We will be making that journey back to Milan the next day.

Trying to find directions to the castle. All of the mountains have paths and roads that lead to al those high little towns and villages off the lakeside. You could get lost in here for a really long time. Of course, we were asked to stay outside. Todd says it is because there is so little room in the buildings. I think he just needs his space and he gets it in these moments.

Do you blame him when his kids are doing stuff like that while they are waiting. I guess it could be worse.

An olive orchard about a mile into our hillside climb. Homes, gardens, and orchards just string up all along the path.

These are the original paths leading through these hills. Not much use for them anymore.

A shot of the bunch on a water stop.

Another olive orchard higher up.

Couldn't pass on this shot. We were almost there.

Brittany insisted that I come get a picture of this. Todd said we would come across these at some point. Now we have. This is worse than camping. 

Artu, a great Eurasian eagle owl that is one of the few in the world.

A beautiful bird weighing in at seven pounds which is large for owls.