This was an excellent seven day break for those wishing to relax and see beautiful scenery. In the week I went, the weather changed frequently from beautiful sunshine to rain of the heaviest sort, accompanied at times with thunder and lightning.
A few pros and cons of the vacation in general:
PROS:
* The Tour Manager Caroline was excellent as always. I went to Marrakech when she was TM, and knew I would be well looked after if she was doing Lake Como. She effortlessly moved things along, organising everything, buying tickets, yet appearing just to be part of the crowd
*The hotel, while only a 3 star, managed to provide a wide range of Italian and English foods. The rooms were large, with a balcony and lake-facing.
*The bed was very comfy. Usually I don't sleep well away from home, but did well on this occasion
* The gardens were beautiful, all well worth visiting.
*I was one of the few that went on the furnicular railway. I found that very good.
* On my free day, I went to the only 5 star hotel in Tremezzo (where we were based) and treated myself to a spa break. Hugely relaxing.
*The Bermina Express into Switzerland and concluding at the swish resort of St Moritz was a real highlight. Such a pity it was Sunday and must of the designer shops were closed.
CONS:
* The fact that there were three free days at the end of the seven day vacation (unless one paid for the two optional excursions) was a bit much. I think the Monastero visit should have been in the price
* I went on the regional flight from Birmingham instead of the Heathrow flight. This turned out to be on a budget airline (FlyBe) and food had to be paid for. Despite this, Birmingham cost a lot more than Heathrow, which was Italia.
*The restaurant catered for a lot of other tour groups, some of which were quite noisy. It was like a Butlins' dining hall in the 1960's. Many would rush in at breakfast and dinner as if the food was going to run out! Fortunately, as our tables were reserved, we casually walked in.
* I think JustYou ought to age-grade their trips so that they could advise who would most appeciate each particular one, or state 'suitable for all ages*