OMG

OK . . . so I know you've probably figured out that I'm behind schedule in my postings . . .technical difficulties and fun and all. So, we're really in Rome right now and I just have to mention the dinner that we just completed. La Pergola at our hotel is a Micheline 3 star restaurant and it was amazing. NINE courses of spectactular food followed by 9 dessert courses and paired with wonderful wines selected by Jeff. And, because it was Vilma's 80th birthday, a special cake after everything else and champagne served in gold carved flutes from the English royal family that just happened to by in the stock room. It was the most wonderful dinner I've ever had by far, and I just had to share it with you while it was still fresh. I'll write more later . . .but for now, we are very happy.

We'll talk later.

Santa Margharita and Portofino

So, here we are in Portofino on a spectacular day . . . so what else is new?

We took the bus over to Portofino, another exciting ride [do you remember Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland?] and spent the day exploring the town, looking at the amazing yachts in the harbor
and then making sure that the proseco supply was drinkable.

We then headed back to our hotel, this time to avoid the roads we took a water taxi across the bay [well, actually for me, the prime reason was to look at the sun-kissed Italian driver that came with the water taxi. Mama Mia!]

At the end of the day, everyone knows that candle light and shadows make even the crumbling look better, and that's exactly what happened with our dowager of a hotel.

Charming, eh?


We'll talk later.

Lake Como to Santa Margharita

This morning we left paradise and headed to the coast for a visit to the Portofino area. Instead of driving all the way around the lake, we took a car ferry across and then drove west around the other side.

It was a beautiful drive, but if you remember me complaining about the narrow streets getting to our hotel on the lake, these were worse once we got on the coast and headed to town. What an adventure! I'm happily ensconsed in the back seat with snacks [have I told you about the French macaroons that I picked up in Paris?] while Jeff does the driving. I occasionally provide advice or read the map [before motion sickness sets in], but for the most part just cover my eyes and enjoy the ride.

We are staying at the Hotel Metropole right on the sea, the air perfumed with orange blossoms and the grounds full of spring blooms. The hotel itself is comfortable, but has that air of a dowager countess who has seen better days and is in need of a lift or two.

Charming in an antideluvian kind of way, and perfect in this setting. The view of the grounds and to the sea from our balcony was amazing.

The only complaint we had here was the noise . . . constant scooters, trucks, sirens and whatever pretty much all night long. Oh well, the price one has to pay to be in such a beautiful seaside town.

We'll talk later!

Lake Como: Day II

Another perfect day in paradise today, sunny and warm with crisp mountain air and beautiful skies. We went for a walk around the town this morning and then hopped on one of the lake ferries for a trip across the lake to another village . . . it was perfect and, happily, Jeff did not get seasick!

When we got back to the hotel it was time for a little proseco and then some down time by the beach. Then another trip around town to decide where we might want to eat later in the evening [I'm having a little trouble convincing my companions that dinner does not begin at 5:00 . . . 8:00 at the earliest!].


Dinner this evening was at a restaurant on the square overlooking the lake, a really magical time. The first course was a spectacular [and interesting] risotto made with champagne and strawberries [which are all over now as spring is here]. A combination that I have never seen, but was a perfect way to begin a fine meal. More on the food another time.

As many of you know, Jeff has an abiding facination with anything motorized, particularly those things that have only two wheels. So, we have seen many, many scooters and motorcycles on our adventures. Hers's one that was interesting enough for a picture.

We'll talk later.

Lake Como

Hello again . . . we've been having some technical problems but are now back on the net and can give you an update as to what we've been up to. First of all, I have to say that I am now a proud new uncle to Cate, who arrived on Friday and is the sister of Eliot and Grace. Sallud!

Let's just say that we had a spectacular time at Bellagio on Lake Como, the hotel was amazing, one of those places that you see in the movies as a grand European hotel and it lived up to expectations.


We spent the first afternoon walking around the town and recovering from the aforementioned narrow road into the town. The only mishap so far has been me. I went to sleep on a chaise on the beach and now my face is half burned and half white boy . . . I've been slathering on moisturizer in hopes of not peeling and so far its working.

We had dinner in the Terrace Dining Room, a great feast with an armada of wait staff in the European tradition . . . not sure what the guys in red coats did, but they were impressive. Then there were guys in white coats with epaulets and gold braids who scurried about at a maniacal pace. It was right out of the big restaurant number in "Hello Dolly", just without Carol Channing. The food was wonderful and included a foi gras creme caramel with a roast pigeon salad. And, of course, lots of proseco.

The hotel itself was just opening for the season and already had a contingent of faux royalty in residence, all decked out in Hermes with small dogs in tow. And a couple with a constant body guard following them around as they toured the grounds. All very snooty, so as my friend Jenn said "you'll fit in very well". Whatever.

That's all for now.

We'll talk soon.

We Made It!

Well, we met up at SFO and started the adventure. Check in and then the lounge and finally, my favorite thing . . . Making a left turn at the door of a 747. That, of course, means that there is champagne directly ahead and the party is ready to begin. Champagne, dinner, cheese, more champagne and then to sleep. Then breakfast and we were on approach into Paris and a transfer to our flight to Milan. I had a couple of people warn me about Air France, but our experience was wonderful. The cabin was comfortable, the food was good and most amazing, the flight attendants were charming [this is where AF gets is less than stellar reputation]. One the one hour flight to Milan they even served a cold lunch and more champagne, a big change from US carriers now. Once in Milan we found the rental car desk, got our keys, and then made a very long trek to the parking lot and our Mercedes station wagon that Jeff had reserved.


The drive to Bellagio was uneventful until . . .
We got up into the mountains and started on the road to Bellagio which was about six inches wider than two small cars, with a rock wall on one side and a cliff to the lake on the other. So Jeff had to be careful not to break off the door mirror when he got close to the wall avoiding oncoming traffic [some people were driving motor homes, taking up more than their share of the limited space]. Finally we found the town, and after a couple of tries, the road to the hotel [which was one way and even more narrow] and were on final approach to the hotel. After a harrowing drive down a steep hill with houses, shops and people on both sides of us [many eating gelato and not sharing] we made a right turn through the gate of the Villa Serbelloni and were instantly in paradise.


Well, its morning now and there are things to do.

We'll talk later!

A Week Away

Well, its getting close to our departure for Italy and I have the attention span of a small trout here at work because I'm so excited. So, I decided that I'd post our itinerary for you to check out in anticipation of the big lift off next Friday. Here you go:

San Francisco - Paris - Milan [Air France, have the champagne chilled]

Bellagio and Lake Como [http://www.villaserbollini.it/]

Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino [http://www.metropole.it/]

Bologna [www.HotelRegina-Bo.com]

Florence [http://www.hbf.royaldemeure.com/]
I so like it that we're going to a city named after one of the Supremes!

Rome [http://www.romecavalieri.com/?ctyhocn=ROMHIWA]

Rome - Paris - San Francisco [Air France, champagne to ease the pain of leaving Italy!]