On the west side of Lake Como, across the lake from Bellagio, there’s a café that’s a little slice of heaven. It’s in between Tremezzo and Cadenabbia. The seating area, perched on a stony ledge on the side of the lake, seats about 20 people under a canopy of green foliage. Sadly, it’s our last day in Bellagio. This is a nice place to plan out our next move, because tomorrow we’ll hit the road. Continue reading “Last Day in Bellagio”
Una Bella Giornata al Lago di Como
It was chilly this morning in Bellagio, but now the sun has come out and it’s a gorgeous day. We took a batello across Lake Como to Tremezzo, then walked from there to Villa Carlotta, which is where we are now. The botanical gardens here are spectacular. What a nice way to spend una bella giornata al Lago di Como. Continue reading “Una Bella Giornata al Lago di Como”
The Grounds at Villa Carlotta
Long, low clouds snake around the hills surrounding Lake Como this morning. The rain is gone, but the weather has turned chilly. Chilly, but not too chilly to take a boat ride and explore the sights around Lake Como. Let’s start with a visit to Villa Carlotta. Continue reading “The Grounds at Villa Carlotta”
Inside the Biblioteca Ambrosiana
If you’ve been following along, you know we’re in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, searching for Petrarch. We’ve been following a docent around, scurrying past masterpiece after masterpiece. I had no idea this museum was so big. Big, and packed with amazing examples of man’s greatest creations. But so far, no Petrarch. Maybe he’s in the library – the Biblioteca Ambrosiana… Continue reading “Inside the Biblioteca Ambrosiana”
Lost in Milan’s Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
We’re lost in Milan’s Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. We came here to see Petrarch’s personal copy of Virgil’s works, but there has been no sign of it so far. I had asked a docent for help, but he spoke zero english, and my italian wasn’t up to the task. It didn’t help that the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana turned out to be much larger than I had thought. Continue reading “Lost in Milan’s Pinacoteca Ambrosiana”
In Search of Petrarch
We’re finally ready to enter the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana – a museum and library, (Biblioteca Ambrosiana), in central Milan. We’re here to see Petrarch’s personal copy of Virgil’s classic works. That book was Petrarch’s workbook. He studied it, made notes in the margins, and took it with him everywhere he went – 600+ years ago. So here we go, in search of Petrarch. Continue reading “In Search of Petrarch”
Petrarch Who?
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the oldest museum in Milan, has in its collection a very special book. The book is Petrarch’s personal copy of the works of the Roman poet, Virgil. Hold on, there. Petrarch? Petrarch who? Petrarch: the first writer to emerge from the Dark Ages. You need to get to know him. Continue reading “Petrarch Who?”
Dove si trova la Pinacoteca Ambrosiana?
We’re kinda lost, but not really, because I know the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is around here somewhere. That being said, it’d really be nice to know which direction to go from here. Our choices are to take a guess and hope for the best, or to ask someone. I’m going to ask… Continue reading “Dove si trova la Pinacoteca Ambrosiana?”
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
We’re in central Milan, inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, trying to find something to eat. From the floor of the Galleria, we could look up and see a place where people were enjoying themselves and having lunch. We wanted to be where they were, doing what they were doing, but we couldn’t figure out how to get there. Continue reading “Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II”
Milan’s Piazza del Duomo — Life in the Fascism Lane
A light rain is falling on Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. Our tour of Sforza Castle and Leonardo’s Last Supper is over, so now we’re back on our own. As far as city squares go, this is a big one – really big, and kind of ominous. This is where Mussolini gave so many speeches to cheering crowds. I assume they were cheering. If anyone wasn’t cheering, they probably got bopped on the head with a nightstick. Fascism was like that. Continue reading “Milan’s Piazza del Duomo — Life in the Fascism Lane”
