Stresa Day 10

A hazy day today. So you know it's gonna be a warm one. I had set the alarm for 8 am but hit the snooze once. Still undecided on the plans today, I skipped breakfast for a run along the lake. It was already getting hot. Guy had brought me up two little chocolate croissants, but I just wasn't hungry. I heard breakfast had decent bacon here, so I will make the breakfast bell tomorrow. However, discussions at breakfast led to multiple happenings today. Cara took us to the boat dock so we (me, Guy, Betty and Big John) could take the high speed boat to Luino - as today was the big market day. It would be a full day as the high speed boat doesn't leave the town again til 4:20. Cara, John and the kids were going to take the gondola ride to the top of the mountain, but it was down for repairs. They found out there were a few things for the kids to do higher up the mountain, so they were going to return one of the cars to Avis and keep the other one for a little longer. I tried to give Cara my phone with the GPS, but they were feeling adventurous today. Rosalie chose to have an "alone" day just to sit in quiet and read. So everyone was doing what they wanted to do today.

We got to the boat dock only 10 minutes before our boat was to leave. We didn't have tickets yet and by the looks of things we were not sure Luino would be our destination today. Luckily the line moved quickly and we made it. I was disappointed I couldn't sit on the top in the open air, but I guess the high speed boat moves too fast and an upper deck was not an option. So I did get a nice seat in the front where there was a bit more of a panoramic view. Did I mention it was hazy? Probably the most haze I've seen here. You could still make out the little spotted towns along the lake, but they lacked color and clarity. Our boat made three stops and the 4th being our destination. We arrived just after 11am and the market was in full swing. Guy scouted things out for us and helped direct us through the maze of little portable shops. We had almost 5 hours in the town, so it was the best market shopping ever...no rush at all.

The shopping girls met the boys for lunch and Guy found a place to eat that had an nice outdoor area. It was called Acquisto Fashion Cafe in Piazza Guiseppe.  I googled them and not only did they not even register on Trip Advisor, they had no website. That's ok, because is was just ok. The boys had spaghetti with clams, Betty had wide noodles with mushrooms (looked from a can) and I had spaghetti pomodoro. We shared a bruschetta (Betty said it was her favorite so far on the trip) and a caprese salad. The bread was also very nice. Our food came out at different times, and we were not the only table this was happening to, but lucky for me I'm a fast eater and actually beat Betty whose food came out first.

Did I mention it was hot today? 85 degrees and a tiny bit humid. So after lunch we figured we'd all meet for gelato around 3:15 to cool off and just to check in. Betty and I found an Italian guy with some really different clothes and we bought a few things from him. His English was good and he took credit cards (I high fived him when he said he did). After we were getting ready to go and Betty had paid, I found a scarf I liked and as I was digging for some Euros he waved me off and said a "gift". So that was cool! We didn't buy that much, but like I said, he was really nice. We found a few other goodies and enjoyed looking at all the stuff. I did buy a little single ravioli press, so now I'm committed to making raviolis!! Pretty excited actually! So when we met up for gelato, Betty wanted to go back and buy a purse for Rosalie and I told her to go up and make a right. She wanted strawberry, so I got her one scoop and I had chocolate, pistachio and amaretto. A nice new combo. The problem was Betty just might have gotten lost and by the time I found her, her strawberry gelato was running down my hand. Did I mention it was hot today? But we managed to salvage some and then found a drinking fountain that we used clean up in. It was kinda funny actually.

The boat ride back was nice and we were back at the hotel by 5:15. Just in time to rest, shower and go  eat again. I love vacation, but sometimes I actually get tired of eating! But I did get a few minutes to enjoy the balcony and start my blog. As everyone was coming down to the lobby, the kids were telling us all about their adventure today. They had gone up the hill that normally has the gondola on it and found rides. A cross between go-carts and a roller coaster. Apparently they were in their own cart and could control the speed to go down as fast or slow as they wanted on rails like a roller coaster. They were stoked and had a great day, finished by swimming in the pool.

Dinner tonight was at the Ristorante Lo Stornello. A little fancier than last night, but so so delicious. If you get a chance to take a look at today's photos, Cara and I made sure we documented everyone's dish. Their presentation was lovely. It was a 2 hour dinner as our dishes were slow to come out and that was fine because it was the night's entertainment. However, when that happens we tend to fill up on bread and tonight was no exception. They brought out endless supplies of fabulous rolls and tiny bread sticks that were crunchy but delicious. Guy and I shared a plate of local meats and cheeses. All very tasty, but you know how it is...there is always one that is exceptional but they are all fun to try. I wasn't super hungry tonight, so I ordered carrot soup as my second plate. It had some kind of cheese in the center that was a goat cheese, but was a cross between feta, sour cream and cream cheese. I could have eaten a bowl of just that!  LOL. Usually we go for gelato afterwards, but we decided to splurge on desserts and we were glad we did. Guy and I split a chocolate lava cake that was amazing, but the rest of the orders were equally as fabulous.

Stuffed, and while the big kids had limoncello, Rosalie and I took the younger kids to get gelato. They all went for the GRANDE cups, but don't worry, these guys can put down the gelato. Not a drop was wasted. They ate as we headed back for the hotel taking funny photos of them posing and there was lots of laughing. Apparently the kids have been taking a rock from each location and they want to build an Italian driveway (or at least one brick) so Rosalie took them to where there were some rocks. Back at the hotel, we took some funny videos and I got them all wound up. Then said goodnight!  LOL Hopefully they'll sleep good tonight.

Tomorrow will be the last day for most of the clan. So I'm sure they'll spend it wisely doing fun things and enjoying every minute. I think a boat ride to Isola Bella is on the list. We'll probably tag along! Not to sound like a broken record, but today was another amazing day.