Our next stop is Lake Como and the very shabby Camping Europa in Menaggio. We overlook a lot because of the ideal location right on the water and a 10 minute walk into town. One day we catch a ferry to Bellagio but mostly we enjoy long lunches sitting at the oustside cafes watching the world go by. Here is something I wrote while sitting at Osteria il Pozzo:
"Today Neil and I had a fabulous meal at a local restaurant in Menaggio, Lake Como, with fabulous fresh local food and homemade pasta. We washed it down with a bottle of local Lombardy white wine.Whilst there we watched some of the tourists, particularly a small group with an elderly Italian guide. He had obviously chosen the restaurant for its local faire and must have been eager to show his guests a non touristy lunch. He began by explaining the menu and the fact that Italians eat 4 courses. ( antipasta,primi,secondi and dessert) Explaining each one. His guests were definitely NOT going to embrace anything new! Where's the pizza? they demanded. We want to eat pizza in Italy. In the end they settled begrudgingly for the pasta, didn't even try to enjoy it, quibbled over the bill and left the poor tour guide sitting there to finish his meal alone so they could go off and ? Look at the shops? Take selfies? Buy pizza? Then they will give both him and the restaurant a bad review on Tripadvisor! That's why I hate Tripadvisor. ( Never trust it! ) and why I could never be a tour guide!"
Returning to the Menaggio Golf Club 10 years after a memorable party there with Tracey was a very good idea. The food was as excellent as we remembered but we missed George again!
The Aosta Valley is a very pretty Alpine area on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Tunnel. At Hotel Du Luc we had a local specialty;duck breast wrapped in panacetta and cooked in straw with pine cones. We went to Switzerland via Annecy for the Montreax Jazz Festival. Our campsite in the little town of Cully was wonderfully located right on Lake Geneva and a short walk to the station or ferry stop for the ride into Montreax. The Lavaux wine region here is a world heritage site due to the ancient vines terraced up the steep hillsides. But the famous Smoke on the Water Jazz Festival was very disappointing. The Swiss just don't have enough soul for jazz. Everything is just too stiff and too clinical and too expensive... they are a nationality unable to let their hair down. Money can't buy you luuuuv...
At least we had a weekend to party with the Boones in Magden...
En route back to Munich, we spent a few days in Alsalce at Camping des Trois Chateaux in Eguisheim. Our meal at A La Ville de Nancy was so good we went back the next day.
Once in Munich, we met up with Larry and Jean for a whirlwind few days, tasting all the Munich brews at all the iconic beer halls and gardens. We had time for all the favourites - Rugby at Killians, Ribs from Rusticana, Monday special at Paros, half a chicken and a mas at the Chinese Tower, with obadz and pretzels and catching up with everyone.
By the18 July, we were on the way to the to the airport... heading for South Africa in the middle of winter!
"Today Neil and I had a fabulous meal at a local restaurant in Menaggio, Lake Como, with fabulous fresh local food and homemade pasta. We washed it down with a bottle of local Lombardy white wine.Whilst there we watched some of the tourists, particularly a small group with an elderly Italian guide. He had obviously chosen the restaurant for its local faire and must have been eager to show his guests a non touristy lunch. He began by explaining the menu and the fact that Italians eat 4 courses. ( antipasta,primi,secondi and dessert) Explaining each one. His guests were definitely NOT going to embrace anything new! Where's the pizza? they demanded. We want to eat pizza in Italy. In the end they settled begrudgingly for the pasta, didn't even try to enjoy it, quibbled over the bill and left the poor tour guide sitting there to finish his meal alone so they could go off and ? Look at the shops? Take selfies? Buy pizza? Then they will give both him and the restaurant a bad review on Tripadvisor! That's why I hate Tripadvisor. ( Never trust it! ) and why I could never be a tour guide!"
Returning to the Menaggio Golf Club 10 years after a memorable party there with Tracey was a very good idea. The food was as excellent as we remembered but we missed George again!
Montreax Jazz fest
Lavaux vineyardsAt least we had a weekend to party with the Boones in Magden...
Montreax on Lake GenevaEn route back to Munich, we spent a few days in Alsalce at Camping des Trois Chateaux in Eguisheim. Our meal at A La Ville de Nancy was so good we went back the next day.
Once in Munich, we met up with Larry and Jean for a whirlwind few days, tasting all the Munich brews at all the iconic beer halls and gardens. We had time for all the favourites - Rugby at Killians, Ribs from Rusticana, Monday special at Paros, half a chicken and a mas at the Chinese Tower, with obadz and pretzels and catching up with everyone.
EguisheimBy the18 July, we were on the way to the to the airport... heading for South Africa in the middle of winter!
Hofbrau Haus
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