This time we are in Milan and the Lake Como region, which is way up north on the border of Switzerland and Italy…just in case anyone is as geographically impaired as I am.
Home of high fashion, the Last Supper, and swoon worthy movie set locales; it’s not a bad way to start summer vacation. Buon giorno Italy! It’s so nice to see you again! 
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Is there anything nicer than Italy in the summer? Umm, no…not really.
This is especially true if you spend it in Lake Como. Everywhere you look are scenes like this.
The water is amazing, magnificent splendid…and freezing.
The sun however, is sublime. The weather in Lake Como is perfect during June.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo where we are staying is a mixture of old world charm…
And vibrant Italian whimsy. The lobby looks a little like Alice in Wonderland.
But the rooms are unabashedly traditional. It checks all the blocks of perfect hotel aesthetics for me…antique furniture, real keys, and wood floors.
And the view is not bad either. See that pool? It’s actually a floating pool that is set into the lake itself. Water on water…amazing!
Swimming in this pool is the strangest sensation because it actually moves while you are in it.
And even though it’s heated, the water is cold because it’s set in the lake. We whiled away the morning playing and sunning ourselves on the floating pool/dock.
You know what elevates a good hotel into a spectacular hotel? A full on candy bar in the lobby!
This was really cool and fun! Even Brian and I had to indulge.
And we couldn’t resist having lunch on the loveliest terrace in all of Lake Como.
Lunch did not disappoint with hand made pasta and Italian wine. Add to that the beautiful lake, and you have the makings of a perfect afternoon.
You want to hear something crazy? In England it’s illegal to have hot beverages in public vehicles. BUT in Italy you can rent a power speedboat without a license!
And so we did! That’s right! For two hours going full throttle, we raced along the Lake Como coastline driving our own speedboat,and having the time of our lives.
Seeing Lake Como from a boat is indescribably spectacular.
Even I took a turn driving. First dog sled driving and now this! Who would have guessed?
Mostly Olivia and I just let Brian drive though. We sat in the sun and just enjoyed the ride.
I hope Olivia remembers this moment.
It was definitely something out of a storybook.
Everything from the gorgeous landmarks…
To the million dollar villas set against the blue blue water, and golden sunshine…it was the highlight of the day
So how do you top off an afternoon like that? Gelato of course!
And maybe a little shopping. I indulged in some Italian sheets.
And Brian found something to indulge in himself-a shop dedicated to small batch whiskeys from all over the world.
And then it was Aperitif time. Ordering one bottle of beer gets you an entire board of antipasti
Finally, after a full day, we return back to our hotel on the lake.
Reliving the day, taking in the night air…
And falling in love with Italy all over again.