Visiting Italy's Lake District: Part XI - Bellagio West Side

On the morning of our last day at Lake Como, we all rose with anticipation.  We were at long last going to visit beautiful Bellagio, la Perla del Lago di Como (the Pearl of Lake Como).   We had been gazing at this little jewel of a city across Lake Como for days.  On our first night in Menaggio, we had been treated to a fireworks display from Bellagio.  Now, we would finally see the fabled city itself.  We boarded the little ferry that would take us across the lake, getting a look at Menaggio and the little hotel beside the lake that had provided us with such a pleasurable and pleasant stay.

Because the diesel fumes from the little ferry were overwhelming, some of us climbed to the upper platform for the brief journey.

We even got a glimpse of the church of San Martino, where we had climbed two days earlier.  Yes, that tiny fleck midway up the mountain.  We really had been there!

Some glamorous hotels greeted us as our little ferry glided up to the landing platform.

And yes, here we were, about to set foot on the little peninsula.

Bellagio is situated at the tip of a little peninsula that separates Lake Como's two southern arms and its history has largely been written by that strategic placement.  The Romans, no slouches when it came to discovering leisure, pleasure and beauty in combination, were the first to use the island as a holiday resort.  They also introduced the olive and laurel trees which even today flourish around the lake.

We arrived at the highly tourist-oriented landing on Bellagio's west side.

What is it about seeing tables set up for lunch or dinner that almost immediately whets the appetite?

Local Guide P ably guided us through the intricate passageways

and narrow streets of the beautiful little city,

all the while describing history, buildings and personalities - historical and otherwise -

along the way.

Every corner presented a photo op

and shops galore beckoned.

But we steadfastly continued our climb to the top of the hill.