Le Chic En Rose

One of the most civilised Italian customs is their love of the late afternoon/early evening aperitif. Both in the Italian speaking part of southern Switzerland and in northern Italy at 5pm on the dot (sometimes 6pm depending on where you are) their version of “Happy Hour” begins. We found when staying there, however, that the emphasis was as much on the food as the drink (though it was admirably washed down with a glass or two of prosecco or pinot grigio). Aperitivos, as they are called in Italian, always constitute an opportunity for food and plates of olives, prosciutto, bruschetta and even small salads and grilled meats would appear along with our drinks. Although meant to be served as an appetiser before dinner, we felt quite full afterwards and almost skipped dinner altogether sometimes (but we couldn’t miss the opportunity of sampling more delicious food)!

“Aperitivo Hour” is pleasant anywhere but one of the most memorable settings was on our last night in Italy on Lake Como. We were spending just 3 nights there to unwind before the long flight back home to Australia. We’d caught the morning ferry from the quay at Piazza Cavour in Como City, where we were based and had spent a delightful day cruising up the lake towards Bellagio calling in at several pretty towns en route. After a very pleasant few hours lunching and wandering around Bellagio itself, we decided late in the afternoon to head across the lake to check out Menaggio before heading back to Como for the night.

Cruising on Lake Como with the view up to the Alps

Approaching Menaggio on Lake Como

The ferry drawing close in to Menaggio Harbour

It was one of those fortunate decisions that will live on in our memories for a very long time. A few minutes leisurely stroll from the harbour found us in the heart of the old town in the Piazza Garibaldi.

Down by the harbour in Menaggio

At Menaggio overlooking Lake Como

The street leading from Menaggio Harbour to Piazza Garibaldi Menaggio

It’s not a big place and we were there before the start of the summer season so it wasn’t at all crowded. It had been a beautifully sunny spring day and locals and a few tourists were lingering in the piazza to admire the views and generally watch the world go by. It had such a relaxing and peaceful feel and above all no one seemed to be in a hurry. I decided to pop into one of the shops off the piazza to get some postcards and was mildly concerned when Monsieur Le Chic, who had taken himself off to explore, failed to reappear after a few minutes. Eventually 20 minutes or so later I spotted him emerging from the church at the top of the street. It turned out he’d gone inside to have a look round and found himself in the middle of a Latin Mass being conducted by an elderly nun. The congregation numbered only a handful and Monsieur Le Chic reduced the average age by about 30 years. Not wishing to be disrespectful he thought it best to stay a while before slipping away as quietly as possible out the back door.

Main street Menaggio with the church at the end

After that unexpected experience, it was definitely time for “Aperitivos”  and so we settled down at one of the pretty table settings outside Hotel Du Lac to soak in the atmosphere and toast our last night on Lake Como. As its name suggests the Hotel Du Lac enjoys an excellent location at the lakeside end of the Piazza Garibaldi.  We sat on our chairs looking out over the lake, which was softly highlighted by the early evening sun.  It was simply idyllic! One notable feature was the family atmosphere around the square; elderly people chatted away, young children played as their parents watched on nearby and we didn’t feel hassled in any way.

View from the front of Hotel Du Lac Menaggio

Piazza Garibaldi Menaggio

Aperitivos at the Hotel Du Lac Menaggio

We began to wish we had stayed further up the lake rather than opting for the larger base of Como City. Transport with heavy baggage was a consideration although Menaggio is well served by not only ferries but plenty of buses too, which go all the way up the western side of the lake from Como towards Colico near the head of the lake. You can also get to Menaggio on the Bernina Express if you are coming from the direction of St Moritz in Switzerland and vice versa. Menaggio is also linked to Lugano in southern Switzerland by buses but it may be more practical and comfortable to get the fast ferry back into Como and link up with the train (28 minutes to Lugano from Como San Giovanni Station and 40 minutes the other way to Milan). There is also another route via the Maloja Pass which connects St Moritz with Lake Como by both road and bus subject to seasonal timetable changes and weather conditions!

Time was starting to slip away and we needed to get back to Como by nightfall. We wanted to catch the hydrofoil ferry as this halves the travel time (usually about 2 hours on the slower boats).

Hydrofoil approaching Menaggio Harbour to take us back to Como City

We timed our departure just perfectly to give us the maximum amount of time to savour the experience at Hotel Du Lac and then with lingering glances and vows to come back one day, we boarded the boat for the trip back to Como.

View boarding the boat at Menaggio Harbour looking back to the town with the Alps in the background

Caio and arrivederci Menaggio!

Copyright © 2014 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved