Last days in Italy & Switzerland

Saturday morning we finished packing and headed out for our drive up to Switzerland.  We were going to see and stay with my good friend Ute.  Ute is a woman that I have know for 30 years when we were both in graduate school.  We lived together in a house in Albany for a year.  Ute is Swiss and lives in Zurich.  She had been studying in Albany for 2 years.  We have remained good friends over the past 30 years even though we are frequently out of touch and that this is only the 3rd time we have seen each other.  But after living with someone and sharing all your secrets for a year the friendship remains.  So I was very excited to meet up with her and her husband Thomas.  They have a lovely summer home near Lake Lugano that we wanted to go to. It is in the north and actually over the border in Switzerland.  So on Saturday we drove up there- David behind the wheel again- I have decided not to drive in Italy at all- better to navigate and be safe than drive.

We stopped on the way at Lake Como- nearby.  This is a really charming village in the border of Italy and Switzerland.  We stopped to have an Nespresso with George Clooney but we just missed him.  I guess he has a house but maybe he in on his honeymoon still.  His wedding in Venice has been all the talk here.  Como has a lovely square where of course it is possible to sit and have a glass of wine at the end of the day- guess what we did this again.  

Como, Italy

After we continued on to Lugano and met up with Ute and Thomas.  They have the most lovely home in a mountain village called Sonvico- really like in the movies.  Old stone tall place- several entrances.  It has been so lovely to spend these 2 days with them.  Last night we went to dinner at a local place and tonight Ute is in the kitchen making dinner tonight.  Dinner last night was truly amazing as we had the local venison both as a stew for Ellen and a fillet for David.  Truly like butter.  The name of the restaurant is Osteria Union a Davida.  No real menu- just the owner telling us the choices and bringing us food.  

Thomas & Ute's front door in Sonvico, Switzerland

From their living room in Sonvico, near Lugano Switzerland.

Today we headed out late after a lovely breakfast and the men had a walk all over. Ute and I spent the morning catching up on our families.  We went to a castle first- it was called Castlegrande Belliuzona.  We walked around the village and the castle and of course there was a cafe where we had caffe and sweets as well as antipasto.  Thomas and David had Gazzosa di  limone- David said it was very nice.  Ute and I had Capuccinos of course with chestnut cake.  

Belliuzona

Castlegrande Belliuzona

After that we drove over to Lake Lugano- it was rainy and foggy so not a good day to go up in the funicular but lovely all the same.  We spent the afternoon walking and strolling the village- both the upscale shops- Luckily since it was Sunday all were closed- I really don’t have anymore room in my suitcases.  Although I was able to buy and fit in some Swiss Chocolate- that shop was open.  Also we walked by the lake and walked to the Gate to the Lake.  

Lugano

David, Ellen, Ute & Thomas in Lugano, Switzerland

Now we are back in the house and Ute has just told me it is time to set the table.  We are relaxing with a glass of Proseco and prosciutto.  Tomorrow we have to leave very early to drive back to Italy where we get our plane back to JFK- 

But before I leave off I really want to thank all our wonderful hosts and friends since we have been here.  Valentina, Nico, Fransesca, Theresa from Il Talluca, Irena, Ericka, Lisa, Alex from Strona, Diane from I Lami and wonderful Ute and Thomas from Sonvico and Zurich.  Without all these nurturing people our trip would not have been as wonderful as it was.  Love to all.  Please all now come visit us in Saratoga Springs.

Signing off till our next trip.

Ellen and David.