Varenna is a delightful little village on a prominatory on the eastern shore of Lake Como, with the lake on one side, mountains on the other. It is very conducive to walking- short walks up and down cobbled lanes festooned with multi-coloured window boxes, to and from the lake edge; a very picteresque walk to and from the station whether via the main road or the lakeside walkway; half an hour to the nearest village where Europe's shortest river roars out of the mountainside and tumbles into the lake; slightly longer if you take the wooded mountainside path; and longer walks up the mountains to more lovely little villages or the nearest large town. The express tran from Milan takes just over an hour and goes on to the Swiss border. Ferries go up and down the lake to the larger towns for more shopping and sight seeing. including some fabulous villas, and Como has a beautiful basillica and a fernicular railway. Varenna's food shops have superb local produce- wines, fresh pork, sausages, cheeses,dried mushrooms, pulses, pasta and fresh fruit. More mundane needs are suprisingly cheap in the supermarket in the next town, reached by train, ferry or bus. The sound is churchbells and birdsong. There are 4 historic churches in the main square, each with priceless art works. Local artists provide water colours, oils and ceramics. The ornithological museum has an amazing bird collection. Be aware that most businesses close from noon till 3pm, but open early and close late. Marilena House has everything you could possibly need including a balcony for wining and dining. Marilena is an ideal host- not intrusive, but if you need any information you only have to ask. A castle, a monastery, a monastery garden- what more could you ask. A week is not enough, stay a fortnight
