In my last post I had several photos of the contradas in Varenna. The were so interesting with the balconies and terraces giving the residents a glimpse of the lake.
To sketch this one I sat up by the main road looking down toward the lake...and hoped none of my supplies would go rolling down the steps. LOL I really didn't want to climb down and then back up.
I took a walk to a wonderful place along the main road. Villa Monastero is open to the public and has extensive gardens along the lake in a very narrow area that probably extends about 1/2 mile along the lake. The views are beautiful. There are all kinds of trees, flowers, and architectural details.
I did one sketch in my sketchbook at Villa Monastero that day, but went back for a return visit at another time. This is what I sketched the first day. I was looking at the scene in of the archway in one of the photos above.
The next morning Jerry and I decided to explore the lake a little by ferry. We got a mid-lake ferry pass and headed across the lake to Menaggio. The town had a pretty waterfront, but none of the steep, scenic alleyways and stairs like in Varenna. I was glad that we were staying in Varenna because I thought it was a much prettier town. Menaggio did have a vegetable and fruit market as well as a butcher, so I was glad to find that.
More to come.
