Christmas in Italy

The view from Clare's apartment is stunning!

We had a wonderful Christmas in Italy with our daughter, Clare and family. It was such fun, although the time flew by so quickly that it seemed no time before we were back in Istanbul again!

We all wore Venetian masks while we opened our presents.

Clare and Jessica looked particularly fetching!

Reg kept us amused with his party popper...

...which Hugo found quite fascinating/

David wore his cashmere scarf (a present from Santa)...

...while Clare poured the champagne.

We had Christmas day lunch at Laguna Blu, our favourite restaurant,

where Santa was waiting to greet us.

As we entered the restaurant, we came across this Nativity Scene,

made entirely form pizza dough.

Our table was by the window...

,,,and this was the view outside. How wonderful was that?

It makes me smile just to see it again.

David and Jessica poured over the menu to see what delights we had in store.

The meal began with an aperitivo (non alcoholic for the young people)...

...and finished (after 5 more courses) with traditional pandoro and panettone with cream

There was definitely no room for supper that evening after such a gargantuan meal!

We have always enjoyed eating at Bistrot Laguna Blu, every time we visit Clare. Here is a video I made last summer, which shows the restaurant and its surroundings. Enjoy!

by Elizabeth Coughlan

Out on Lake Maggiore, Italy

Giuliano driving his speedboat, with David beside him

We were all delighted, when our friend Giuliano offered to take us all for a ride in his speedboat on Lake Maggiore. The weather wasn't that great, but we had loads of fun, roaring around the Lake. His boat was parked in the tiny harbour outside Bistro Laguna Blu, in Reno, where we all climbed aboard.

Santa Caterina del Sasso

The first sight we passed was the Hermitage of Saint Catherine, perched precariously on the rock face. I never cease to be fascinated by the history of this place.

Reg, Jessica and Clare

There were seven of us on the boat, Giuliano, David, Reg, Clare, Jessica, Carlotta (Giuliano's daughter), and me.

Carlotta

On our way around the lake, we passed some beautiful lakeside villas

Isola Bella

We didn't allow the gathering storm clouds to deter us. as we circled Isola Bella, one of the Borromean islands...

Isola Pescatore

...as is Isola Pescatore, our next port of call.

More lakeside villas

The Splendid Hotel

The Majestic Hotel

There are some pretty impressive hotels right on the edge of Lake Maggiore, just like the ones above.

Isolino di San Giovanni

Although fairly close to the shore near Pallenza, this is a private island belonging to the Borromeo family. It is said that Toscanini lived here from 1927 until 1952.

The mountains of pink granite

Pink granite is quarried in the mountains above the little town of Baveno, by Lake Maggiore. This granite has been used world-wide in famous buildings like  the Arch of Peace, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, the columns of L’Opéra in Paris, the Karlskirche (Church of St Charles) in Vienna, the monument to Christopher Columbus in New York, and the Royal Palace of Bangkok.

Clare and Jessica enjoying the ride on the lake

Our friend, Giuliano

This was such a fun day. I hope Giuliano takes us out on the lake again one day. Thank you Giuliano!

by Elizabeth Coughlan

Bistro Laguna Blu, Reno, Leggiuno, Italy

Bistro Laguna Blu

Whenever we are visiting our daughter in Italy, we always go to our favourite restaurant, Bistro Laguna Blu, in Reno, Leggiuno. Perched on the edge of Lake Maggiore, with the most stunning view, this restaurant serves the most amazing food in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

The view from the restaurant

Reg likes to relax, and enjoy a cocktail or two in the evening, at Bistro Laguna Blu

One of our favourite aperitif cocktails is the Aperol Spritz,

made with Aperol and Prosecco

Jessica and I often like to lunch at Bistro Laguna Blu.

Here she is eating one of their delicious pizzas

The meals are always presented beautifully...

...with perfectly cooked ingredients

My beautiful daughter. Clare, loves Laguna Blu, too,

and is a regular customer

The storm clouds gather over the lake

We did have a few good days on this trip, but there was a lot of rain and overcast days too. Fortunately, we were in Italy to spend time with family, so we didn't allow the weather to dampen our spirits, or stop us from enjoying Bistro Laguna Blu!