Lago di Garlate to Bellagio (Lago di Como)

Thursday September 13, 2018, 16 miles (25 km) - Total so far: 6,117

miles (9,844 km)

What a difference a day makes. After a long discussion about logistics regarding getting Carol on an appropriate train to Milan, we realised we did have time to cycle round the inside shore of Lake Como. And what a good job we did - it's absolutely STUNNING!! The road is mostly quiet, although there is a long section in tunnels (about 4.5km). It's OK though - the noise is terrifying but ithe vehicles are courteous, and it's not too cramped. Bring lights though!

We stayed at Camping Clarke, which must be high on the list of the nicest campsites we've stayed at. It's up on the hillside above Bellagio, with wonderful views. Lovely facilities (not a squat toilet in site!!) and flat, grassy pitches demarked by olive trees. You can get two small tents on one pitch, and there are tables and chairs at each.

Bellagio itself came as a complete culture shock. Sooooooo chocolate box, and FULL of rich, loud Americans (apologies to any Americans reading this but I expect you know the type!). There is a strip of fancy hotels on the lake front, with bars PACKED with tourists (plenty of obnoxious Brits there too). Avoid these and head to Bar San Remo, where you'll almost feel like you're back in Italy. Drinks are more expensive than 'usual', but they do have cheap table wine. We then had dinner at 'La Grotta' - again, a pleasant antidote to places charging 44 euros for a plate of pasta......

The only downside to today was the HUGE thunderstorm which filled our neightbours' tent with water. We were all fine, phew!!!