Continuing from the previous episode, we have purchased tickets to visit Villa del Balbianello and have a guidebook ready.

https://th.readme.me/p/7773

Now, let's head inside to avoid wasting any time.

Villa del Balbianello: A Historical Gem

Built in 1787, Villa del Balbianello served as the residence of Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini. After his passing, Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone, a member of the prominent Visconti family who once ruled Milan, acquired the villa and undertook renovations to its gardens and terraces. Ownership changed hands several times before it fell into the possession of Guido Monzino, a renowned traveler and adventurer. Monzino's passion for exploration is evident in the villa's collection of artifacts from his travels across the globe. He meticulously curated the villa's interior, adorning it with treasures from his expeditions. His signature, the letter "M" intertwined with a heart, serves as a recurring motif throughout the villa, gracing elements like the terrace railings. The villa's rich history and Monzino's personal touch combine to create a truly unique and captivating experience for visitors.

In 1988, Monzino died from smoking-related complications. He bequeathed the villa to the Italian National Trust (FAI: Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Italy's physical heritage. Despite its modest exterior, resembling a small, single-story house, the villa's interior is surprisingly spacious, spanning six floors that cascade down the hillside. The villa has served as a filming location for several movies, including Star Wars (Episode 2) and James Bond 007 Casino Royale.

Due to its stunning beauty, this location also offers luxurious wedding planning services and serves as a venue for pre-wedding photoshoots. Those interested in hosting their wedding here can visit the venue's website for more information and contact details.

Our visit coincided with a wedding, allowing us to witness the romantic union of the happy couple. As Mouse alluded to, this area is not ideal for singles, as the romantic ambiance can be overwhelming. Our trip to Italy has served as a reminder to those without partners to remain strong in the face of such displays of affection.

The bride has arrived.

Each of the bridesmaids is stunning.

The bride looks very excited.

I met the groom.

Let's calm our minds and take a walk around the beautiful surroundings. At the boat entrance, there are four trophies on pillars, which is a unique touch. If you want to experience the atmosphere like in the movies, you should take a boat to this entrance. The surrounding area is decorated in an Italian garden style, with sculptures and beautifully trimmed trees. The actual wedding venue is a map room on one side, as Monzino was a traveler who explored many places. The room on the right is a library with a large collection of books. Believe it or not, the climbing plants on the pillars and building are over 150 years old. It's truly magnificent.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Passengers arriving by Taxi Boat will disembark here.

A must-see is the Umbrella Tree at the back of the property, a unique feature of the garden. To prune the tree, one must climb a ladder to reach above the branches and leaves, then trim them to the desired shape. Monzino documented this process in one of the books in his study.

Schefflera

Surrounded by a lake, the villa boasts a refreshing atmosphere and unobstructed views. The expansive lake vistas from the villa's wraparound balcony offer panoramic perspectives of the surrounding landscape, including the town of Lenno. Visitors are welcome to leisurely explore the property at their own pace, taking in the scenic beauty without time constraints.

We thoroughly explored the surrounding area before returning to the port. However, our leader had a surprise for us. Recognizing our energy expenditure during the tour, he decided to treat us to a gelato at a nearby shop on our way back. This news invigorated us, and we eagerly anticipated our gelato stop.

On the way back, perhaps due to the downhill slope or the allure of gelato, no one seemed to complain or groan. In fact, their steps seemed unusually brisk compared to the ascent, even though it was the same path. In no time at all, we were back on level ground, with the gelato shop in sight.

With nimble feet and a quick mind, the little mouse scurried to the front of the line, leaving the matter of payment for later. Price was no obstacle. In a flash, we each held a gelato cone in our hands, savoring every lick as we strolled towards the harbor. It seemed time to return to Varenna after a day of exploration. We boarded the boat, our mission accomplished. Where to next? We'll decide later. For now, let's set sail.

Enjoy it every day without getting bored.

The ferry returned to Varenna, our intended destination, but we decided not to disembark. Instead, we opted to continue our journey by boat to Menaggio, curious to explore its offerings. Upon arrival, we took a brief stroll to soak in the atmosphere. However, we discovered that the area was primarily residential, lacking the attractions we sought. Most passengers disembarking were returning to their accommodations, and as dusk approached, we opted to purchase groceries from a small supermarket near the pier. Subsequently, we boarded the ferry for our return trip to Varenna, concluding our day of exploration.

She has already left.

We have arrived in Varenna, but I would like to stay on board for now.

Menaggio

As the boat docked, Noolek realized that her time of escaping the hustle and bustle, of living close to nature, and of being with the serene Lake Como was coming to an end. At times in life, we need these moments to recharge and regain our strength and spirit, so that we can return to face the challenges that we must encounter in the real world that we must face again in life.

Visit the photos from the trip and say hello to Piyai and Noolek at

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