Italian Lakes and Switzerland

August`s had to be cancelled due to illness unfortunately and September`s is late due to travels. So here is a combined one from the Swiss Alps and the Italian Lakes.
We`ll start with a view taken from our hotel balcony overlooking Lake Como at the village of Cadenabbia.
It shows Bellaggio across the water :-

by Ken » 05 Oct 2011 10:00 am

Just a short boat ride down fro Cadenabbia is this beautiful Villa Balbianello situated in a magnificent position by the lake side :-

Its worth a look around if you can arrange a private visit. Its not only quite beautiful inside but also very interesting. Its previous owner , Guido Monzino, was quite a famous explorer having led an expedition to the North Pole, climbed Mount Everest and about 20 other expeditions all over the world. Several rooms are dedicated to his priceless collection of treasures and artifacts collected from remote areas across the globe.
He also had a fear of terrorists/invaders and built several secret passages throughout the villa --- ready for a quick escape if neccessary.
.

by Ken » 06 Oct 2011 05:56 pm

Lake Como is crystal clear & freshwater fish are in abundance.

This one seems to be the most common :-

They`re mainly about a foot to 18 inches in length. Anyone any idea what species they are?

Ken.

by Ken » 07 Oct 2011 11:33 am

Mind you, its not surprising that the water is so unpolluted as the boats dont seem to have petrol engines -- they`re dog-powered !Ken.

Ken

 

At the south western tip of the lake is the town of Como :-

A better overall view may be had by taking the funicular up to the little village of Brunate :-

Ken.

by Ken » 14 Oct 2011 03:26 pm

Once uo there you could spend all day exploring the lovely little old Italian villages which stretch for miles around the opposite side of

the mountain to Como :-

Ken.

by Ken » 17 Oct 2011 11:11 am

On the shores of Lake Como there are dozens of pretty little villages. This one is Bellagio :-Ken.

by Ken » 22 Oct 2011 11:30 am

But now we board the Glazier Express and head for the Swiss Alps :-Ken.

by Ken » 23 Oct 2011 06:28 pm

Climbing higher and higher and passing some pretty little Swiss villages :-

--- and green/blue alpine lakes :-

Ken.

by Ken » 28 Oct 2011 10:35 am

Through the snow covered peaks :-

--- and on to St.Moritz :-

Ken

Michelle » 01 Nov 2011 12:24 pm

Great pics Ken. Any more coming up ?
Michelle

by Ken » 01 Nov 2011 05:05 pm

Yes-- in fact coming up even higher --- to St.Moritz sat perched on the mountain side :-There`s not much to the town of St.Moritz. Its clinically clean & reasonably pretty :-

--- but a cup of coffee and a beer will set you back a tenner ! 

Ken.

.

by Ken » 04 Nov 2011 11:40 am

However --- its location can only be described as stunning :-Ken.