Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

April 9, 2017 by David Herd

Playground for the Rich & Famous

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

 Bellagio Lake Como Italy with it’s cobblestone lanes and elegant buildings with beautiful views over the famous lake. The village is characterized by century-old buildings & interesting stone lanes & steps.

 Cobblestone steps

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Climbing all the Bellagio stairs is an excellent way to work up an appetite. 🙂

View from the top of the steps.

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Every time you turn around there is another great photo opportunity.

Narrow lanes

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

I used to wonder why so many European towns & villages had such narrow streets & lanes. Then a friend of mine Riny Doyle, from Breil Sur Roya in the south of France, explained it was simple to control the temperature. Narrow lanes meant a much cooler environment, & lets face it in those ancient times there were no air conditioned shopping malls where you could get relief from the heat. 🙂

Breil Sur Roya devastated by storm Alex on October 4 2020.

Delightful little cafes & restaurants

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Around every corner there is a little cafe or restaurant.

If you prefer a water view

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Here is a perfecy spot to soak up the view of Bellagio Lake Como Italy. Perhaps if you hang around long enough you may see George Clooney wander in with his beautiful bride. 🙂

Sadly I don’t have the time.

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

 

I don’t have the time to wait for George as I’m about to catch the car ferry to the other side of the lake.

Bit of a rust bucket

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

At least I don’t have far to travel.  

Lets explore a little more before I leave.

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

More stairs and more shops.

And another little hidden restaurant.

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

A surprise around every corner.

 Hotel Metropole

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Right in the heart of town, just book through THIS LINK for a great discount on the room rate.

Or Hotel Splendide

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Has views of the lake which is even better, just book through THIS LINK.

The crowd builds up

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Lunch is over, now for some serious shopping.

Farewell to beautiful Bellagio

Bellagio Lake Como Italy

Just a wonderful Italian village.

As Andrea Bocelli would say……

Time to say goodbye. (lets not forget Sarah Brightman)

Ferry across Lake Como

Beautiful Bellagio Lake Como Italy

The views from the ferry are absolutely stunning. 

Thanks for visiting my Beautiful Bellagio Lake Como Italy photo blog.

                      Here are some more posts to check out 

           Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

May 24, 2016 by David Herd

Lake St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland was the first stop on my road trip from Pejo in the Italian alps Salzburg. This was certainly my best ever European trip which started in Lake Como then on to the French Riviera, a few days in the Cinque Terre  before heading for Milan,  Verona and Lake Garda.

I spent 10 days in a beautiful little French village north of Menton called Breil Sur Roya is known for trout fishing.

St Moritz Switzerland

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

A perfect summer day in St Moritz, check out some great hotel deals HERE.

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

 Any hotel name with Palace in it you can bet you will need your black Amex. 🙂 Just use THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

The streets were very quiet.

St Moritz in summer.

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

The whole city has an expensive feel about it.

St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Those mountains would be an amazing sight in the winter.

Here comes the snow

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

That’s the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel  with snow on the roof.

Fast asleep in St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Get a suntan on a beautiful summers day in St Moritz.

St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

A family picnic by Lake St Moritz.

Picnic at Saint Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Every January or early February, Polo matches are held on the lake.

Beautiful St Moritz

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

If you book a hotel using THIS LINK you will receive an excellent discounted rate.

I bet that water is cold

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

Even though it’s summer I’m sure that water would be freezing. 🙂

Breathtaking

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

If you would like the get a huge discount here just use THIS LINK to book.

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland, I must say farewell.

Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland

After a pleasant couple of hours in St Moritz I’m back on the road again heading for Germany.

 Thanks for visiting my Beautiful St Moritz Switzerland photo blog.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

 Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

August 18, 2015 by David Herd

Another Italian Gem.

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy is the largest Italian lake. The wealthy and the snobbish will always prefer Lake Como because that’s what they read about in the social pages and gossip columns, the experienced traveller however would most certainly choose Lake Garda as the more interesting and user friendly location.

Lake Garda northern Italy

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest and most visited lake. The lake is 51km long but only 17km wide at its widest point in the south. The distance around the lake is 158km. Picturesque villages, medieval castles, and lakeside promenades dot the shoreline.

Swimming at Lake Garda

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

The lake has numerous small islands and five main ones, the largest being Isola del Garda. Nearby to the south is Isola San Biagio, also known as the Isola dei Conigli (“Island of the Rabbits”). Both are offshore of San Felice del Benaco, on the west side. The three other main islands are Isola dell’Olivo, Isola di Sogno, and Isola di Trimelone, all farther north near the east side. The main tributary is the Sarca River, while the only outlet is the Mincio River.

Relaxing beside Lake Garda

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

There are many delightful cafes and restaurants around the lake where you can relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Beautiful Lake Garda

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

 Lake Garda is known for its clear water, great for swimming in summer. Windsurfing, sailing, and hiking in the lake’s many parks are popular activities.

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

Is it surprising that Italy is my favourite European country?

Lakeside restaurant

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

A perfect spot to relax by the lake.

Lake Garda church

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

If you would like to rent an apartment here use THIS LINK for an excellent rate.

Fabulous colours

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

Magnificent colours on the buildings.

Shopping arcade beside the lake

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

Shop, drink coffee or enjoy pasta for lunch.

Ferry at Lake Garda

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

You can also explore the lake from the ferry.

Old castle

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

 

The lake has a diverse landscape with beaches along the southern shores and rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline.

North of Lake Garda.

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

The surrounding countryside is magnificent.

The Castle of Sirmione on Lake Garda.

Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy

The Sirmione castle is the most significant example of the defensive structures on Lake Garda. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the village of Sirmione was a border town situated between the land owned by the Della Scala dynasty of Verona and the property of the lords of Milan. The original nucleus was delimited by a tall square wall with three towers, and was probably built on top of the remains of a Roman fortress.

Thanks for visiting my Beautiful Lake Garda northern Italy photo blog, which one do you prefer Lake Como Lake Garda?

                  Please check out these fabulous posts 

          Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Check out these great posts

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Lake Como northern Italy

August 17, 2015 by David Herd

Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, it’s a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It has many villas and palaces such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta.

Fabulous Lake Como home

Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como weather is generally mild. It is known for its Mediterranean-like climate where sub-tropical plants can grow year-round, Average daily temperatures range from about 2 °C (36 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in July.

Bellagio on Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy

Bellagio is a wonderful upmarket village on Lake Como, certainly a place that attracts the wealthy. Bellagio & Lake Como are both beautiful and famous, however I do prefer the larger Lake Garda which is a couple of hours east. I found it more “user friendly” in so much as there were many more places you could actually access the lake itself. The wealthy and the snobbish will always pick Como because that’s what they read about in the fashion magazines and gossip columns, but the experienced traveller I believe would choose Lake Garda as the more interesting location.

My little road rocket

Lake Como northern Italy

  This little car really covered a lot of miles in the coming weeks, all the way to Saint Tropez, Cinque Terre, Menton, Breil Sur Roya, Verona, Pejo, St Moritz and Salzburg.

 Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy

Taking the shortcut across Lake Como northern Italy.

West side Lake Como

Dramatic scenery Lake Como northern Italy

 

It is a rather short trip on the ferry.

For whom the bell tolls

Lake Como northern Italy

  Pardon me quoting the title of Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel, however I’m sure he would have sometime in his life sipped his double daiquiris on the shore of Lake Como. 🙂  

Hemingway did enjoy a drink

Lake Como northern Italy

What a fabulous old photo.

San Giacomo Church, Ossuccio

Lake Como northern Italy

 This Romanesque church is situated along the shore at Spurano, Ossuccio.  It was built between the 10th and 12th centuries. The sail bell tower on the outside wasn’t built until after the 14th century.  The double arched apse is typical of the local architecture and inside the church you can see visible traces of original frescoes.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Lake Como northern Italy

Dining outside on the terrace overlooking the lake with the lights of Bellagio twinkling is a magical experience.  

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Lake Como northern Italy

Way above my pay grade I’m afraid. 🙂

Como Cathedral

Lake Como northern Italy

No, I didn’t go inside. 🙂

Como

Lake Como northern Italy

Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a popular tourist destination and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces.

  Veal Scallopini

Lake Como northern Italy

  One of my favourite meals is veal scallopini and this dish I had in Como at the restaurant shown below was perhaps the best I have ever experienced.  

Main square opposite Cathedral

Lake Como northern Italy

The food here was fantastic.

Restaurant on the square

Lake Como northern Italy

A beautiful summer day in Como.

Como by the lake

Lake Como northern Italy


As you can see the weather was absolutely perfect at the end of June.

 Garage for the boat

Lake Como northern Italy

I would be very happy living here, 🙂

I’m enjoying a coffee in Bellagio.

Lake Como northern Italy

Thanks for visiting my Dramatic scenery Lake Como northern Italy photo blog, lots more links below.

          Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.         

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos