Foodivore: Lake Como, Bellagio...but soft! What light from yonder window breaks?

Tracey sunning herself at Bellagio

Pierrot (his Italian alias) escorted us into Italy under blazing sunshine, the only relief from which has been at night and in the many tunnels burrowed through the hillsides (good thing too - you should see the narrow lakeside roads). A short ferry trip across Lake Como brought us to within 100 metres of our destination: the Hotel Metropole in Bellagio. Traversing the distance was an episode in its own right, because hot summer Sunday afternoons in charming villages tend to draw thick crowds, and this was no exception. Once we'd gained access to the pedestrianised section of town it was a case of gently steering Pierrot through the throngs, waiting for them to gradually acknowledge the unexpected presence of a car in their midst.

Once we'd checked in we discovered magnificent views out over Lake Como from our room's balcony - we were literally lakeside. The smashing views and scenery have been one of the recurrent "pinch me I must be dreaming" aspects of this trip.

Italy is, of course, a Food Country. The change in style was immediate, welcome and delicious. Scallops with creamed broccoli & truffle sauce, papardelle with gooseliver & truffly bits, tortelloni with lake fish & thyme at Cafe Suisse. Prosecco, spinach/ricotta ravioli with truffle sauce followed by a gooey chocolatey tartufo nero at Metropole. Omelette with summer truffles followed by a generous plate of formaggio at Belvedere.

The local wines were also a delight - for example, Lugana whites which recall both viognier and semillon/sauv blanc. To say nothing of grappa and a very happy reunion with limoncello!

Two nights were lovely, and we'll happily return to both Bellagio and the hotel again to soak up more of the ambience of the charming lake.

Verona beckoned...both the doomed romance of Juliet & Romeo and an animal park Deb had recommended to us. Quite by accident we found ourselves gazing upwards at a balcony, only to realise it was the famed Capulet balcony upon which Romeo is said to have espied Juliet. It was only appropriate that Tracey should ascend and Andrew remain below. It must be hoped that the celebrated lovers were spared the thronging crowds and the walls embellished by grafitti, lipsticked kisses and chewing gum (?what was that about?)!

Look closely to find the baby hippo

Food in Verona had one big highlight: Osteria del Ugo. We were treated to, among other things, musso ravioli, slow-cooked musso, fabulous filet of beef with a chocolate-looking balsamic and red wine sauce. Fabulous dining. (PS musso is donkey.)

The drive-through animal safari park on the way out gave us some great up-close looks at critters, none dumber than the sheeple who let their children hang out car windows as they drove through leopard territory (we kid you not). Pierrot wasn't intimidated though: we've realised that the Peugeot logo is in fact the rare, smooth-tailed rampant wild squirrel. More than a match for any mere rhinoceros!