Monday, July 15, 2013

On our last night in Como, we took the tram up the mountain overlooking the Lake for dinner.

The next morning we were off to Milan for an extensive walking tour of the city and shopping. Note Milan's answer to the Arc Triumph of Paris.

Scene of Milan on walking tour.

Another view.

The Cathedral in Milan, we would go to the top over 400 steps by some, we decided that the elevator sounded more our style.

On top of the Cathedral.

A great view from the top.

Next morning in Genoa we stopped to view a home of Columbus. Seems that he lived there according to the locals. The history books indicate that no one knows where he originated.

A street scene near the Columbus house.

In Genoa, a street scene as we begin our search for a place to have lunch.

We arrived the next afternoon in Portevenere at our hotel . . .

The view from the room is awesome.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Cruise of Lake Como and Lunch in Bellagio.

After a very short walk from our hotel in Como, Italy the cruise to Bellagio begins.

Along the way we passed by a villa owned by George Clooney.

Our new friends Pat and Gary enjoyed the cruise as well.

We had our own entertainment in the form of Claire and Costanzia, some of the EF staff. 

One of the homes along the shoreline, value 20,000,000 Euros +

A street scene in Bellagio.

Bellagio was home to many beautiful homes and yards.

Some interesting flowers found along the path we walked in Bellagio.

The lunch bunch.

To begin lunch, eggplant, cheese and . . . ? my table mates made short work of it.

The main course was cabbage, potato, cheese and pasta; I had spaghetti.

The lunch venue.

After lunch a ride back to the hotel.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Leaving Annecy, France on our way to Como, Italy.

After leaving Annecy, France we drove through the Italian Alps, beautiful.

After entering Italy we saw a number of castles along the highway.

When we arrived in Como, Italy we were surprised with a snack of breads, cheese, prosciutto , sparkling Italian wine, very nice.

After our light snack we took a walking tour of Como and its cathedral.

The sanctuary in the cathedral.

A point of worship in the cathedral.

A street scene in Como.

These young folks are the leadership group from EF Tours in charge of our travels, all young enough to be our children, yes even Matthew on the left with the gray hair : -)

At the end of the walking tour we ended on the banks of Lake Como with a short walk along the shoreline back to our hotel, a beautiful venue for our stay.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

In Annecy, France and day trip to Chamonix.

As we were loading on the bus from Interlaken, to Annecy, France a parasail came in to land nearby.

Our final shot of Interlaken.

After checking into our hotel, a window view of the lake nearby.

A walking tour of Annecy.

Annecy is called the Venice of the Alps.


We took a tour of the local castle and this is a view from the overlook there.

An attempt at art, taken from inside the castle through a stained glass window of another wing of the castle.

Another attempt.

Today, 7-11 we took a day trip to Chamonix and went up Mont Blanc, WOW!

View from Mont Blanc.

The documentation show . . . we were there!

A great lunch after coming down from the mountain.

For the engineers at Dewberry, a bridge we passed over on our way to Chamonix, France. Strange looking and did NOT give comfort to those of us who are not engineers.

Oops, error we were NOT headed to Annecy but to Interlaken, operator/author error, sorry

Had dinner in Interlaken with some wonderful new friends, Pat and Gary Lindley.

Linda up in the Alps looking at Jungfrau Mountain in the background.

Alpine flowers near Jungfrau.

Another alpine flower, a variety of Columbine in a deep blue,

Jungfrau Mountain near Interlaken.

Linda relaxing after dinner in Interlaken.