When we planned our big trip we bravely/rashly arranged it around our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Maybe it was the do or die approach. Mr G thought that if we could manage ten weeks in a campervan without killing/maiming/ abandoning each other on a cliff-face in Albania then we’d really earn a long service medal an anniversary celebration. 

Well, we’ve done it. There were no jewels to mark the occasion, but we did spend a couple of days in a lovely hotel in Bellagio, a town known as the Pearl of Lake Como. Very appropriate. There were a few moments of tension navigating the van down some incredibly narrow pedestrianised streets to get to the hotel- but when we rounded the final hairpin bend and parked up on the seafront all that was forgotten. 

I think all the cool Italians from Harry’s Bar have moved to Bellagio. I don’t blame them; the people were elegant, the shops were stylish and the food was just what you’d expect- fresh, tasty and fabulous. The weather was more Bridlington than Bellagio, but yet again we pulled out the puffers and dry-robes and had a wonderful time on a boat nosey-ing around the posh lakeside villas. Just the kind of intellectually stimulating day trip I love!

Carlo

Carlo, our skipper- Armani jeans, 200k speedboat and a habit of ignoring everything Mr G said and directing all conversation to me- gave us a full low down on who lived where and how much they paid for their villas. Sadly George and Amal were nowhere to be seen. I’d guess that, with the cost of living crisis, he’s probably away filming to get enough money to cover his heating bills, which must be pretty damn chompy. 

When we got back to the hotel our lovely girls had arranged for a card and a bottle of fizz to be delivered to our room- trophy daughters! 

Quick hotel comment: 

I’m afraid I’m going to have to gush about the Hotel Florence. When I was looking for hotels in the Italian Lakes they were either average, or so expensive I had to quickly click off the page before I got sucked in. 

The Hotel Florence was in a beautiful Belle Epoque building right on the seafront in Bellagio and was price on application, so I assumed it was way out of our league.  In the end we got a great room overlooking the lake for €195 a night, including a delicious breakfast. Which was acceptable as a below-the-line-exceptional-expense for our anniversary. 

The good bits: Beautiful historic building, stunning location, parking outside and genuinely lovely staff. All this and a 10% discount for cash- don’t you just love the Italians?

The bad bits: If we’re being picky I’d have liked a bathrobe and a coffee machine but we’ve got those in the van, so no problemo!