A morning travelling from Florence to Como. It’s a first time for all of us here. Another fantastic apartment. It is wonderfully quirky but sadly, it is without a lift. This has meant my poor porters have had a very heavy bag to lug up and down the stairs.

Como is exactly how I envisaged it – stylish, sharp and sophisticated. Our apartment is in the old town and really central for restaurants and shops.

Where we are staying faces a lovely piazza. The first port of call for me is a lovely little cafe. Many more sophisticated readers may know why the Italians are loath to sell a cappuccino after 11.00 am its all about the milk and your digestive system, it makes perfect sense once explained to me by our waitress – but I’m still going to get one when I have the urge 😂.

Today is a little overcast and so it’s all about exploring Como and that includes a funicular ride. I do love how in these European cities a funicular is between restaurants and houses. It feels like there was a spot vacant so let’s put a funicular there. I know there is planning involved and governance decisions. But the romantic in me likes the idea of a quick decision, hey there is an open space. Then bam, there is a way up this mountain. It is not far from the shores of Lake Como, and so when you turn around you see water. This funicular connects Como with the pretty little town of Brunate and has been operating since 1894. Its an impressive funicular with a line length of 1,082 metres (of 3,556 feet). If the idea of a funicular doesn’t float your boat there is the option to walk up the mountain, yikes!

Brunate has a population of just over 1700 people. That is a larger number than I expected. This would be a truly lovely place for a cozy long weekend getaway. I did pass a couple of gorgeous looking B&Bs.

Of course, there is a lovely 17th century church to explore, its just a couple of minutes walk from the funicular station.

Soon the overcast skies became rain. Fortunately we have our umbrellas and raincoats, and again does it really matter if we are on holidays anyway.

Given the rain and the slippery road, I decided it was much safer for everyone if I chose not to attempt the 3km return trip to the Voltiano Lighthouse. Built in 1927 to commemorate the death of Alessandro Volta a century before. The lighthouse is just below the summit of Monte Tre Croci. It is an octagonal tower that is 29 metres high with an internal staircase of 143 steps. Unfortunately it wasn’t open for Steve, David or Pip to climb. On a clear night it would have been lovely to have seen the lighthouse in all its glory shining the colours of the Italian flag green, white and red.

After the explorers returned we headed back down the hill to walk back to our lovely apartment through the streets of Como.

There are so many glorious restaurants to choose from here in Como, and boy did we choose well tonight. While we were waiting for our table, our waiter brought us each a little glass of Italian Prosecco. It was divine, we are getting the hang of this partying in the street.