Walking along the shores of Lake Como, you are reminded of the tranquility that permeates your senses. Here in Lenno, the small town that dots the west side of the lake, the pace is unhurried and languid, particularly when the sun begins to cast long shadows of your steps in the late afternoon.
The stately Villa del Balbianello now lies beyond the hill. Otherwise known as the James Bond villa from the movie Casino Royale where Bond recovers from his torture, you have savoured the visuals on a flash disk and embedded the memories through your mind’s eye.
Time for an aperitivo by the lake.
“Un bellini e una birra Moretti, per favore,” you sing out in Italian to the waitress.
She returns with fresh cuts from the salumeria with crusty bread, both of which you do not remember ordering. You soon learn that it is an Italian tradition to serve tasty morsels when it is l’ora dell’aperitivo, or happy hour.
You sit back with your peachy drink and your dark beer and watch the sun go down over Lago Como.
Il Golfo Gelateria Paninoteca
Lenno
Lake Como, Italy
Just stumbled across your site via your comment on Lara & Terry’s Grantourismo post on cassoulet. What an absolutely gorgeous photo! I haven’t made it the Italian lakes yet, but they are absolutely on my wish list. I wish I was sitting in front of that plate of meats and drinks right now! I’m just going to recommend your blog from our HomeAway UK Facebook page, as I think it’s fab. Best, Sarah
Sarah: Thank you so much for your lovely comment and recommendation 🙂 I am truly humbled.
Wow, this is a nice place..i like it..
[…] to the gardens is half an hour before closing time. Allow yourself ample time to enjoy a quiet aperitivo along the shores of Lenno on your way back to the ferry […]
[…] you will pass the island then continue along to Villa del Balbianello (the James Bond villa) in Lenno. Information on the ferry timetables is available from http://www.navigazionelaghi.it […]
[…] comes from “aperire”, to open and stimulate the appetite. “The aperitivo in Italy is a lifestyle”, Francesco explained, a celebration of drink accompanied by food […]