Triyana Diaries – Where Every Journey Tells a Story

Some journeys stay with you because of the destinations.

Others become unforgettable because of the unexpected moments along the way.

Our day exploring Lake Como turned out to be a perfect blend of both.

An Early Start from Milan

The day began with an early morning train from Milan to Varenna. As expected, it seemed like half of Italy—and perhaps half the world—was heading to Lake Como. The train was packed.

Fortunately, everyone in our group found seats except my friend and me. We stood near the train doors for the journey, which turned out to be the perfect place to observe the lively atmosphere inside.

Despite the crowd, the train was filled with smiles, conversations, and excitement. Travelers from different countries exchanged stories, shared travel tips, and laughed together. It reminded me that travel has a unique way of bringing strangers together.

Curious, I asked the ticket collector if the train was always this crowded.

She smiled and replied,

“Every train to Lake Como is like this, no matter what time of the day.”

As we approached Varenna, we quickly gathered everyone together. The train stopped for only a couple of minutes, and with a larger family group—including my parents—we wanted to make sure no one was left behind.

A Coincidence Across Continents

The biggest surprise of the day was waiting for us on the station platform.

Standing there with his wife and luggage was a former colleague whom I hadn’t seen in over eleven years. He has always lived in Asturias, Spain, and happened to be vacationing in Lake Como at exactly the same time we arrived in Varenna.

For a few seconds we simply stared at each other before instantly recognizing one another.

We exchanged hugs, caught up on life, introduced our families, and laughed at the incredible coincidence.

Think about it—we had traveled from different parts of the world, both choosing Lake Como for our vacations, only to unexpectedly meet on a small train platform in Varenna.

The world suddenly felt wonderfully small.

Cruising Across Lake Como
From the station, we walked to the ferry terminal and boarded our ferry to Bellagio.

The cruise itself was an experience.

Elegant villas dotted the shoreline, colorful villages hugged the hillsides, and the sparkling blue waters reflected the surrounding mountains. Every turn seemed to reveal another postcard-perfect view.

Soon we arrived in Bellagio.

Often called the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio welcomed us with charming cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, lively cafés, boutique shops, music drifting through the town, and an atmosphere that encouraged everyone to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.

Villa del Balbianello

Our next adventure was a boat excursion to the magnificent Villa del Balbianello and its beautiful gardens.

Movie lovers will instantly recognize the villa as one of the filming locations for Casino Royale.

The boat ride itself offered breathtaking views of Lake Como’s luxurious villas nestled against the green hillsides.

As we arrived, we realized the walk through the gardens involved several hills. Considering the afternoon temperature was approaching 90°F (32°C), we decided it would be best for my parents to relax in a shaded area where they could comfortably admire the scenery while the rest of us explored.

The villa, the beautifully manicured gardens, and the panoramic lake views were simply spectacular. We spent our time taking photographs, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and appreciating one of Italy’s most beautiful locations.

No photograph truly captures its beauty.

It is a place that needs to be experienced.

Lunch by the Lake
After returning to Bellagio, everyone had worked up an appetite.

We found a wonderful lakeside restaurant, Ristorante Alle Darsene Di Loppia, where we enjoyed a leisurely Northern Italian lunch.

Our table filled with freshly made pizzas, pasta, local fish, crisp salads, and cold local Italian beer that tasted especially refreshing after spending the afternoon in the summer sun.

There is something special about sharing good food with family and close friends while overlooking one of the world’s most beautiful lakes.

Wine, Memories, and Souvenirs
After lunch, we wandered through Bellagio’s charming streets, browsing local boutiques and souvenir shops.

One store immediately caught my attention—a traditional Italian wine shop.

Inside were shelves filled with renowned Italian wines, including Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone, and many other regional favorites.

Naturally, we couldn’t resist a wine tasting.

One tasting quickly became several, and before long we had purchased a dozen bottles to bring home. The shop happily arranged shipping directly to our home in the United States at a very reasonable cost.

It was the perfect souvenir from Italy.

The Ferry That Wasn’t Going Where We Thought

As evening approached, it was time to return to Milan.

Or so we thought.

We noticed an earlier ferry at the dock and assumed it was heading back to Varenna.

Without giving it much thought, we boarded.

Only after the ferry departed did we realize something was wrong.

This ferry wasn’t going to Varenna.

It was going all the way to Como.

Not only would the journey now take nearly two extra hours, but we also had to purchase new ferry tickets.

For a few moments, we laughed at ourselves for rushing aboard without checking.

Then someone said,

“Well, I guess we’re getting the full Lake Como experience.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

Instead of feeling frustrated, we embraced the unexpected.

The longer ferry ride allowed us to admire even more of Lake Como’s magnificent shoreline, elegant villas, charming villages, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Sometimes the wrong turn creates the best memories.

An Unexpected Evening in Como

By the time we arrived in Como, the sun was beginning to set.

Rather than rushing straight to the train station, we decided to enjoy the unexpected stop.

We strolled through the beautiful streets of Como, admired the town’s atmosphere, stopped for authentic Italian cappuccinos, and reflected on what had already become an unforgettable day.

It also gave us time to catch up with our friends and talk about the adventures still awaiting us during the rest of our Northern Italy journey.

Later that evening, we boarded our train back to Milan, finally arriving around 11:00 p.m.

Everyone was tired.

Everyone was smiling.

And everyone agreed it had been one of the most memorable days of our Italian vacation.

Reflections

Lake Como isn’t just about magnificent villas, luxury hotels, or famous movie locations.

It’s about slowing down.

It’s about sharing unforgettable moments with the people you love.

It’s about unexpected reunions, conversations with strangers, long lunches by the lake, discovering wonderful local wines, and occasionally boarding the wrong ferry.

Those unexpected moments often become the stories we remember most.

Lake Como gave us breathtaking scenery.

But more importantly, it gave us memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Travel Tips

• Take an early morning train from Milan to Varenna, but expect it to be crowded, especially during the summer months.
• Double-check your ferry destination before boarding—many routes serve different towns around the lake.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, as Bellagio and Villa del Balbianello involve hills and uneven stone pathways.
• Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and plenty of water. The summer sun around Lake Como can be surprisingly intense.
• If traveling with elderly family members, plan extra time and identify shaded rest areas so everyone can comfortably enjoy the experience.
• Don’t miss the opportunity to taste regional Italian wines. Many specialty wine shops will ship purchases internationally at reasonable rates.

“Travel isn’t measured by the places you visit, but by the stories you bring home.” — Atlas Walker