Varese - the Garden City of Italy

It was great to meet up with Lucy's cousin's Simon and Danny Clarke who are based in Varese.  Simon cycles for The Green Edge professional cycling team and Danny works on the Australian under-23 cycling team.  They are both Australian and welcomed us to Italy with a "shrimp on the barbie, Mate!".  Simon has a great place right in the centre of Varese and after dinner we were shown to "the Cadell Evans Suite" where we stayed while with Simon.

Danny, Geoff, Lucy and Simon

In the morning we headed up to a little town on the mountain above the city called Sante Maria del Monte where we walked "the 14 Churches path" leading past 14 chapels depicting the Christ story and with amazing views down over the city.  

One of the Arches on the beautiful 14 Churches walk

The Vareseans! Simon and his girlfriend Mara at chapel #3

Geoff and Simon jumping on command in front of a very stern looking Moses.

In the afternoon Simon had a meeting in Chiasso (Switzerland) and we amused ourselves walking over the border into Italy (it runs through the city!) and cooling off with some real gelatto...mmmm.  A drive to Lake Como was followed by a wander around town to find aperitif's.

To Como, or not to Como...!?!

Lake Como

After two wonderful days in Varese we needed to make progress towards Provence. Our last morning was spent in the Varese Garden - a beautiful green space in the middle of the city.  We really enjoyed the cool walk before getting into the car for the next leg... the sun was starting to beat down and we had a long way to drive.

Varese Gardens

The library forms the foundry of the gardens.  Through that arch you can view the main road through the city.