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| Varenna, Italy on Lake Como (From Wikipedia). |
The beautiful lakeside town of Varenna can be found in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, not far from the Swiss border. Verenna is arguably the most picturesque town on the spectacular Lake Como. From Varenna you'll be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the sparkling blue lake and the surrounding snowcapped mountains. You can spend a few hours exploring the narrow lanes of Varenna and its small harbour. Varenna is very easy to reach since it is only an hour and a half drive from the regional capital, Milan (82 km). One could make a two day excursion to the town, or spend several weeks exploring the area surrounding Lago di Como.
Above the town, one can visit Il Castello di Vezio, which dates to approximately the year 1100. Visitors can explore the remains of the military outpost: the castle walls, the drawbridge and the main watchtower. There are also gardens to explore, and in the spring, many beautiful flowers. The castle also houses a Falconer who trains several birds of prey. It is possible to see owls, hawks and falcons. Perhaps the best feature of all is the beautiful 360 degree view of Lake Como from the top of the main tower. The castle is definitely a must for anyone planning to visit Varenna.
Another worthwhile activity is to follow il Sentiero del Viandante, or the Wayfarer's Trail. It is a former mule path that connects all the towns and villages along the lake. Its original purpose was for the transport of goods, but nowadays it is a hiker's haven. Look for the orange signs that direct one along the route. Hikers can begin at Lierna, then continue through Ortanello, and onward to Varenna. Be sure to stop at the thirteenth century church of St Peter, which is a perfect spot for a rest or a picnic. Be sure to enjoy the lake's beautiful beaches and sub-tropical vegetation, such as olive, citrus and palm trees. One can also take a ferry from Varenna to the beautiful town of Bellagio across the lake. Another option is to drive to the small city of Lecco, which is only about a half hour away (22 km). With so many picturesque towns and stunning landscapes in this region, visitors will certainly find plenty of great photo opportunities. To see more of this great scenery, check out some of the photos and videos I've posted below.
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Varenna Harbour. Taken From Flickr. |
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Varenna, Italy. Taken from Flickr. |
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View from il Castello di Vezio. (From Wikipedia) |
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Narrow alley in Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia). |
Another worthwhile activity is to follow il Sentiero del Viandante, or the Wayfarer's Trail. It is a former mule path that connects all the towns and villages along the lake. Its original purpose was for the transport of goods, but nowadays it is a hiker's haven. Look for the orange signs that direct one along the route. Hikers can begin at Lierna, then continue through Ortanello, and onward to Varenna. Be sure to stop at the thirteenth century church of St Peter, which is a perfect spot for a rest or a picnic. Be sure to enjoy the lake's beautiful beaches and sub-tropical vegetation, such as olive, citrus and palm trees. One can also take a ferry from Varenna to the beautiful town of Bellagio across the lake. Another option is to drive to the small city of Lecco, which is only about a half hour away (22 km). With so many picturesque towns and stunning landscapes in this region, visitors will certainly find plenty of great photo opportunities. To see more of this great scenery, check out some of the photos and videos I've posted below.
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| Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia). |
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| Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia). |
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| Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia). |
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Video:
I found these videos on YouTube, both are worth watching. The first one seems to be professionally made, and the second is of a family's trip to Varenna. Both of these videos have excellent footage of this lakeside town.
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