Early Roman Mornings

Similar Dress || Similar Shoes || Hat || Earrings

I have one very simple piece of advice if you find yourself visiting Rome. Get up early! Each morning, our alarm would go off at 5 o’clock sharp. This might sound a little ridiculous for what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation. When we did this, we got to see a completely different city and experience Rome without the chaos that tourists brings. Imagine, being able to wander the quiet streets of Rome and having all of the sight entirely to yourself. All I can say is thank goodness David and I are both morning people.

We walked aimlessly through Rome taking in the city. I had some destinations in mind, but we weren’t too concerned about how or when we got there. We decided to make our way to the Spanish Steps, but bumped into the Pantheon along the way. This was the best treat! You never really get to appreciate how big a building is until you get to see it for yourself. And I kid you not, we were literally the only people there. There was no photo shop or angle magic with my pictures. We had this place all to ourselves.

• 

• 

We kept on our walk to the Spanish Steps down the Via dei Condotti where the most exclusive designers in the world make themselves at home. Hermes, next to Ferragamo, across from Gucci… I’m sure you get the idea. When we reached our destination, at around 6:30, there was already a little bit of a crowd, but probably no more than ten people. David and I were able to soak it in and have some fun as we took our pictures, even climbing to the top and get the real view. I don’t think as many people do this as they should, but don’t miss out!

I know getting up early isn’t the preferred way to travel, but I do have two pieces of advice to make your tourist time as enjoyable as possible.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. I only brought two pairs of shoes to Italy. These strappy sandals from Sam Edelman were great for the hot days, but probably weren’t the best for walking over the many cobblestoned streets. If I had to narrow it down to one pair, I would highly recommend any espadrille from Soludos. They had just the right amount of support and comfort for miles and miles of walking.
2. Take a nap. This probably isn’t the advice you would except when you’re a tourist in a new city, but if you have those early morning wakeup calls, it’s crucial. Each day, after our early bird walk, we would come home and take a few hour nap to reboot the system. Afterwards, we would feel refreshed and ready to go. Because we already did our sightseeing, we didn’t have to stress about where to go. It meant more time to eat pasta and drink wine at the local restaurants.

As a huge disclaimer, the pictures we got to take are by no means ‘typical.’ You just have to know when to wake, not press the snooze button too much, and have an amazing travel partner to brave the early morning with you.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Falling in Love with Varenna

Similar Dress || Similar Shoes || Sunglasses || Tote Bag || Earrings

If Bellagio is the pearl of Lake Como, then I think Varenna is the diamond. This was the last town David and I got to visit while there and I think we saved the best for last. Every corner was just dripping with character and beyond picturesque. Not to mention, it’s one of the most convenient towns on Lake Como to get to. With a direct train from Milano Centrale, you’ll be there in under an hour. It’s perfect for both the Lake Como vacation or a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of a major city.

Whether you use the ferry or the train, you’ll need to take a quick walk to get to the main town. The walk of lovers makes for a very scenic jaunt. Along the way, you’ll have views of the water and ivy lined walls with patches of hydrangeas. It opens up to lake front shops and cafes, but if you keep walking you can follow the ‘Patriarch Walkway’ to find little hidden beaches and villas.

While we were in Varenna we had a quiet lunch at Caffe Varenna. It’s one of the first restaurants you walk by, but is by no means a tourist trap. It does make for excellent people watching and the best bruschetta I’ve ever had. We spent this afternoon sampling at least three different kinds. Of course, the tomato, garlic, and anchovy pick was a classic, but I also loved the gorgonzola and pear. The cocktail of the day was the Hugo Spritz, a delicious Prosecco mix with elderflower liquor and lime. We loved this cafe so much that we made a special trip when we were on our way to the Varenna train station to leave Lake Como. Thank goodness I had David to carry our suitcases because their views and yogurt parfaits were the perfect way to start our long day of traveling.

• 

• 

As we were strolling through town, I noticed a lot of local boutiques. They were different from what I had seen in Bellagio and Menaggio because they weren’t selling souvenirs. Instead, they had the sweetest little dresses, tops, and shoes. One shop, aptly named the Varenna Store, had beautiful color-block sundresses and mosaic inspired espadrilles. I wanted to buy up the whole store, but I decided to keep my eye on the prize for designer shopping in Rome. If I could do it all over again, I would definitely have picked up a few pieces.

When we go back to Lake Como, I know David and I will be picking Varenna as our new home base. This sprawling town had so much to offer and so many places to explore. If you take anything away from my Italian posts, it would be to make this town your priority.

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

The Pearl of Lake Como

Tank || Similar Skirt || Hat || Tote Bag || Sandals || Sunglasses

The second city we had the opportunity to explore during our Italian honeymoon was the town of Bellagio. Nicknamed the Pearl of Lake Como, this place has everything you would want in an Italian getaway: food, shopping, and lots of charm!

• 

• 

From our home base of Menaggio we took our preferred method of transportation with the ferry. If you are coming from any town on Lake Como, this is the best option. Bellagio is one of the major spots and the ferries are extremely frequent. A one-way trip from Menaggio took us 15 minutes at the most and cost around 10 Euros. We had a very rare late start to the day and by the time we got to Bellagio, it was lunch time with people everywhere. If I could do it all over again, I would love to see what kind of quiet morning this town had to offer.

With all of that said, we still had an amazing visit. Here’s just a quick little guide of our favorite spots that we found. Disclaimer: be sure to wear your comfiest shoes. Like all hillside towns, Bellagio is practically vertical.

• 

• 

Eat Away from the Crowds

Ristorante Europa: David and I stumbled upon this place while wandering through Bellagio. The fact that we were both starving was a serious motivator, but I just can’t say no to an al fresco restaurant with pink awnings. This gem was just a few yards past all the hubbub on the main square and was perfectly quiet and peaceful. PLUS it was in the shade and made for a nice, little oasis on a hot, Italian day with our table looking down on the water. As for our food? Delicious! We both opted for some risotto, David had mushroom and I had some simple parm. Hands down, best meal we had on Lake Como! It hit the spot in such a real way.

Sip at the Oldest Bar in Bellagio

Caffe Bar Sport: It doesn’t sound fancy, but this shop is actually the oldest gelataria in Bellagio, 100 years and going strong. Outside, all of the tables were packed, but step inside and it’s a completely different story. It’s like stepping back in time to when the bar first opened, with bartenders to match. When we were here, we had to try an Aperol Spritz. All of my friends have raved about it and you see it everywhere at restaurants in Italy. This bright orange drink with an orange slice, of course, comes out in a wine glass. Such a great cold cocktail for a hot day.

Bring Home Local Silk

Azalea: As I said in this previous blog post, silk is one of the main industries along Lake Como and Bellagio seemed to have been the epicenter. Strolling along the side streets, we saw a number of silk stores, but Azalea is the one you need to look out for. This little shop is the creme de la creme of silk. They have beautiful, opulent scarves for yourself along with many other gift ideas. Anything here would make for the perfect souvenir. Their silk ties have outfitted nearly every recent president in some way or other. Compared to what you would find in a department store in the States, their prices are fantastic, but if you are a little more on a budget, there are many shops that have similar styles, but are at a fraction of the price because they aren’t 100% silk.

Find the Best Views of Lake Como

La Punta: Like most of Lake Como, the best days are spent aimlessly walking and allowing yourself to get lost. After our very filling lunch, we did just that and found ourselves at La Punta. This directly translate to, simply, the point. Bellagio sits at the bottom tip of Lake Como and this spot may just give you the best views of the lake: over 180 degrees of unobstructed lake views. I’ve shared a small sample of pictures we took there that day. Here you’ll find boating, some people swimming, and glimpses of villas that will leave you daydreaming for the rest of your trip. If you want to take advantage of these views for longer, there is a restaurant right next to the small green space there. I can’t speak about the food, but sometimes the atmosphere is more important than the actual meal.

• 

• 

When you visit Lake Como, you absolutely cannot skip Bellagio. There’s so much to love about this town and so much to explore. I’m already wanting to plan my return trip and get better acquainted with the Pearl of Lake Como.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.