Como to meet Dad, not Clooney!

A GPS is great.  You can set it to avoid tolls and to take scenic routes.  We had another short distance to travel to Como and took the scenic route.  We stopped in a terrific little town, Brivia, for a break. It sits on a quiet river and is a lovely old historical town. We stopped for gelato and enjoyed it while soaking up sun on the riverside.  We walked the length of town and ended up for a coffee in the local caffe.  We were the only women and we even asked if we were allowed to be there! There were tables of men playing a rousing game of cards, others were watching and others watched us!  A trip to the loo was a discovery.  This was the local bocce hall and there was a fierce game taking place in the back where 2 indoor pitches were based.  Much like our curling history in Canada! So we took our break there enjoying the friendly rivalry between the men, of many generations, who clearly knew each other.

We drove on to Como and found our way through the maze of "traffico limitato" to our next flat, thanks again to GPS.  We made it safely and with the least trouble and no carabinieri (police).  Our goal has been to hook up with Dad while he was in Italy. Each time we were on skype with him, he was excited to meet up with us and for us to join his group on the boat cruise around Lake Como.

Since we had arrived the day before meeting Dad, we walked to the lakefront and determined where the tourist boats would leave from and who their captain would be.  We also had time to see some of the sites such as the Duomo and San Fidele Churches.  A coffee on the roof of the local department store offered a great view too. And of course, a little retail therapy and a few Aperol Spritz (our new sundowner) were also a welcomed break. 

The Duomo from the roof of the department store

We met up with Dad and joined his group on their tour of Lake Como

Villas on Lake Como

Looking back at the dock and the town

The G20 Summit was held here

Looking out towards Bellagio and area around Lake Como

Dad was pretty excited to meet up with us, he told us he prayed for it to happen.

Dad and Father Paul with a great historic photo of the old town of Como

Dad and Antonio, the bus driver.

We saw the group off again and set off once more on our own explorations. Renting apartments is the way to go we decided, as we could eat in our out. After having enjoyed a meal on our balcony, we decided to go out. Our dinner in Como was at an Osteria that Corine and Jenny Walhout discovered last October. 

A view across Lake Como to the funicular that takes you up to the lookout

A great motivation to diet! 

Osteria del Gallo is filled with wine bottles and all sorts of roosters! 

Monique chooses a Barolo and then examines for another!