View from Punta Spartivento in Bellagio, Italy

After riding the ferry from Como for about 3 hours I was anxious to arrive in Bellagio, Italy, along the shores of Lake Como north of Milan and well on the way to the Alps. I had no idea what I would do once I was there since this had been a spur of the moment day trip from Milan but luckily there was a tourist information office right at the ferry landing. I got a map and a suggested walking route so I was off! The walk to Punta Spartivento was suggested as a ‘detour’. I’m not sure why since it is one of the highlights of the town!

Punta Spartivento means ‘where the wind divides’ and it is at the tip of the land mass that divides Lake Como in two. A lovely park sits at this point, the perfect place for some relaxation or a picnic with the serene and majestic Italian Alps as a backdrop. The Colico branch of the lake runs to the north in front of you with the town of Varenna on the right. Back behind you to the left and right are the Como and Lecco arms of the lake, respectively. Ferries ply their way along the lake including stops at Bellagio and Varenna.

Not so luckily for me, it started raining just when I got there so it was pretty dreary. I took a few photos between juggling the camera and an umbrella. Reluctantly, I left the park, knowing that the view could be infinitely better if only….if only….. So I continued my walk through the historic core of Bellagio. A couple hours later I was back at the ferry landing enjoying my daily gelato and I noticed that the weather was beginning to clear! I had enough time to hustle back to Punta Spartivento for some fair-weather photos! With the clearer weather, it was a glorious sight…the lake, the distant towns, the Alps just out of reach. The ebb and flow of the lake traffic is part of the charm. I reluctantly left the park a second time, heading off for the ferry and the town of Varenna. Needless to say, I felt much happier about my visit to Bellagio.