The gardens of the Villa Melzi D’Eril, built in the early 19th century for one of Napoleon’s lieutenants, just part of the beauty of Bellagio
The plan was two days in Milan followed by 10 days in Bellagio, on Lake Como, with my brother and his wife. The reality was two days in Milan, one night with my brother and his wife at a great condo in Bellagio with a little balcony and a great view over the lake. And then a call over breakfast that our 83-year-old father had died suddenly the night before. Thus we spent much of the day making arrangements to get back to Minnesota and left early the following morning.
Still, since this is really my record of our travels, I wanted to post the pictures of Milan and Bellagio even though I wasn’t in a mood to write much. Milan is a great city that we really don’t have figured out at all, while Bellagio is a beautiful town that I’ve wanted to get to since I first read about it while living in Naples in the mid-1970s. We ended up with two nights and one full day before returning home.
As for my brother and his wife? They had just flown in to and then turned around and flew back. We call it their day trip to Italy.
My brother Al and his wife Anita. They’d dropped their kids for a Spanish language immersion camp before coming over for what was supposed to be a child-free 10-day holiday. Alas, it was not to be.
Lake Como, with the town of Bellagio there on that spit of land where the lake splits in two. I actually got this picture on the flight from Copenhagen to Milan, a couple days before we drove up there. Made me pretty excited to see the place close up.
A tree, a lawn, a lake, some mountains, and a Kindle. Can it get any better?
Before Bellagio there was two days in Milan. Here’s Mark in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
The main altar in the Church of San Maurizio, a hidden gem in Milan. First we tried to go to Poldi Pezzoli Museum, what was once the private collection of a wealthy patron housed in his palace. It was closed. Then we tried to go see the Last Supper, but you need tickets for that weeks in advance. This one, though, we just stumbled on, and it was spectacular, absolutely covered in early 16th century frescoes.
Here’s a blissful Santa Lucia holding her lost eyes, making it look so easy
And a blissful Santa Agata carrying her severed breasts on a platter. Did torture and martyrdom ever look so comfortable?
What convent would be complete without crucifix frescoes? This one seems to have gotten the story just a little off, though, as the noose behind Jesus indicates.
And then one last view of Lake Como. We’ll get back some day.
Jim and Mark, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope it has been gratifying to be able to share so much of your travels over the last few years with your family and friends. I remain in awe the curiosity and stamina in your approach to experiencing the world–its people, places, art, food, religion, etc–and documenting it all with beautiful photos for those of us still stuck at desks.
Best,
Ann Kempski
Thanks Ann, it’s nice to hear from you. As you’ll see from my Duluth post the whole funeral/family thing was in many ways beautiful and comforting. And now we’re back at it, exploring more of northern Italy. Stay tuned!!