All Roads To Lead To Rome

Well, I'm back in the Italian capital again. It's where this adventure began back in April. I'm here to meet up with some friends from San Diego who will arrive in a few days. The photo depicts an older model Fiat station wagon spotted on the way to Campo de Fiori.

Moto Guzzi, Molto Fresco

Carlo Guzzi, along with a few friends, founded this motorcycle company in 1921 in Mandello Del Lario. The company embraced the community, and vice versa. At first they produced racing bikes and won many famous European races. At one point it was the bike to ride. In recent years the company lost ground to the Japenese and German bikes, but it is now making a comeback. These photos were taken at the Moto Guzzi museum located on the grounds of the manufacturing plant.

Quiet(er) Beauty

Varenna is located across the lake from Bellagio. Although a tourist destination, it is a lot more mellow than its famous neighbor.

The Jewel Of Lake Como

With its many fine boutiques and restaurants, the town of Bellagio is an upscale tourist destination. And yes, they named the hotel in Las Vegas after this place.

Sailing Lake Como

I took these photos aboard the 100 foot yacht I rented. I knew nothing about sailing, but the crew, made up of beautiful (topless) Italian women, were very instructive. With their hands on teaching method I was able to keep the main sail stiff all day, despite the lack of wind (just be greatful I removed the poop deck joke).

Mandello Del Lario, Lake Como, Italy

I'm back in my homeland again. Lake Como is in northern Italy, just south of the Swiss border. The lake is gorgeous and is surrounded by mountains. There are many small towns which dot the long coastline. I'm staying in Madello Del Lario, the home of Moto Guzzi  motorcycles. My host tells me the lake was originally called "Lario" before the name was changed to Como.

Taking The Fun Out Of Robbery

Gimmelwald boasts Europe's first "Honesty Shop." That's right, a retail gift/candy store with no one on duty. You pick what you want and pay for it by putting money in an envelope and depositing it into a wooden box. The owner is British and is actually thinking about opening another store in London. I guess if it works in a hamlet of 130 people, it could theoretically work in a city of 8 million.