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  • Galene Olson
  • Galene Olson

Italy

Venice to Como
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  • Trip start
    June 4, 2026
    Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    To the airport
    Trees in the airport!Maple Leaf LoungeBusiness Class3Look at the legroomflying over SwitzerlandVaporetto from the airportFirst look at VeniceRialto BridgeSaint Marks Square2😳2

    Vancouver to Venice

    June 5 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Lynden to Vancouver International with our trusty driver/navigator. Wandered the airport, by streams filled with sea anemones and starfish and trees right there in the middle - Canadians do a lot of things well! Traveling “Priority” perks: skip the TSA line, Maple Leaf lounge for snacks and drinks, lots of legroom, a steady stream of food and drinks, a seat that lays all the way down - no more coach for us!

    Quick stop in Zurich with a second flight to Venice. Maybe the most beautiful scenery l've ever seen on a flight ~ I looked out the window the whole time. Wow! Note to self: must go to Switzerland.

    Landed in Venice and hopped on a vaporetto. Short walk to our flat. And off to see the sights. Very busy Friday evening; a bit overwhelming to our sleep-deprived selves.
    Lincoln was looking for some protein for dinner ~ found it. Look at the size of that steak! I enjoyed a delicious pizza.

    Wandered over to Cannaregio where we found a park with swings and wider streets. Bellissimo 🤩

    The day(s) felt like 12 days as we dragged ourselves up the stairs to our flat. Exhausted and looking forward to a good night's sleep. (I was so tired I put neosporin on my toothbrush and used shower gel for lotion…)

    Buenanotte 😴    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    View out our bathroom window
    The street outside our front doorLincoln buying an Italian apple...cosmic crisp 😂1Rialto BridgeSt. Mark's Bell Tower121St. Mark's Basilica11On our way to MuranoGlass-blowing1MuranoMurano neighborhood1What's left of chicceti3

    Venice

    June 6 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Slept well in our little Italian flat ~ getting the authentic feel of life in Venice.

    Lincoln started the day with an apple from the open market; the vendor was kind with our effort at Italian. Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Bell Tower look a bit different in the morning light. Enjoyed the most delicious croissant filled with Nutella that we have ever tasted - hoping to get one tomorrow again before we leave town (just found out they are closed on Sunday 🙁). Also had our first Italian americano - now we’re ready for the day! ☕️

    We were told to “get lost in Venice” so we wandered the streets, taking in the sights and sounds and smells. Visited St. Mark’s Basilica - amazing architecture, both inside and out.

    Decided we had time to hop over to Murano to check out the glass-blowing - fascinating to watch. Also had my first gelato ~ so yummy 😋 We really loved the quiet neighborhoods there.

    On our return to Venice we enjoyed some chiccheti at a little place around the corner - here’s a photo of what was left when we remembered to take a pic…

    Another beautiful evening in Venice.    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Bassano del Grappa
    1Bassano del Grappa1Bassano del Grappa1Bassano del Grappa - local artists and coffe1Outside bakery in Bassano del GrappaTrento2Piazza del Duomo, Trento1Sights along the wayView from our roomView from our room1Ortisei

    Venice to Ortisei

    June 7 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Left Venice this morning, starting with a long walk to the bus station with suitcases in tow ~ a little tough with all the bridges and steps over the canals but we made it. Rode the bus to the airport and got to pay a “we’ve never ridden a bus in Italy” tax in the form of a fine for not validating our tickets as we got on the bus…we had met some nice people from Ireland and were a bit distracted as we climbed aboard the bus…tough start to the day.

    Got our rental car and then we were off to the autostrada. Lincoln did a great job driving but we started out a bit rough; two vastly different speed limit signs on the road and toll booths very different from home required some help from chat gpt.

    Stopped in Bassano del Grappa, enjoying the quaint little town, having a coffee and a yummy pastry. Next stop was Trento, another cute little town on the way to Ortisei.

    The drive was narrow and windy 〰️ (not windy 💨) and a bit sketchy at times with oncoming traffic not staying in their lane and even an older man going the wrong way in a roundabout ~ thankfully we were going slow enough to let him pass and he seemed happy as can be 🫣

    Arrived a Hotel Digon in Ortisei ~ lovely room with a view that takes your breath away. Drove into town and walked around ~ beautiful little mountain town. Tomorrow we take to the mountains!    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Anticipating the ride...
    We can hardly wait!Yep, amazing!2Time of our lives!Look close at the cable up the side of the cliff1So happy to be at the top!1Seceda1SecedaOrtisei2SecedaHang glidersHike down to cable car1We made it back to the cable car 😅Cable car to Alpe di SiusiOrtisei from cable car1View from the topHorses11Linc with the cowsAlpe di SiusiAlpe di SiusiAlpe di SiusiAlpe di SiusiAlpe di Siusi

    Seceda & Alpe di Siusi

    June 8 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Early morning to hit the Dolomites.

    Took the bus into Ortisei and waited for the time of our scheduled departure on Seceda Cable Car. I was so excited I felt like a little kid; Lincoln was willing to go…heights are not his favorite but he faces his fears head on like a champ! The trip was two trips with a smaller car first and then a larger car that climbed the face of a cliff.

    It was so amazingly beautiful that I don’t know how many times I said “Look at how beautiful that is!” God did a spectacular job here in Italy! 🏔️💙

    We hiked around the area for several hours and decided to hike down to the smaller cable car at the recommendation of our concierge. It was amazing and worth it for the views, but it was tough! My body will never be the same ~ especially my feet! Linc also has Phillips’ feet ~ poor guy 🙁 We also watched tandem hang gliders ~ next time!

    Once back in Ortisei, we walked across town to go up the mountains the other direction to Alpe di Siusi ~ the largest high-elevation Alpine meadow in Europe. Another cable car dropped us at the top where we weren’t sure how much energy we had left but called on the reserves and took it all in. More spectacular view with the clouds and sun changing the scenery in exquisite fashion. We saw horses and cows and even a mountain shed (Luke!).

    We rode back down to town and came back to our room to change our clothes and shoes before heading back into town for dinner. We walked around a bit (a very little bit!) and are back in our room for hopefully an early night.

    Tomorrow we leave for Lake Garda and Verona. Looking forward to resting our feet while driving our little Ford Puma, Pamela.    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    1First sight of Lake Garda
    Italian autobahn $$$Castello Scaligero, Malcesine1Malcesine2Malcesine1Garda townGarda Town1Castello Scaligereo di LaziseLazise1Walking to Verona flatPiazza del Erbe1Piazza del Erbe2coolest candy store everVerona ArenaOlympic rings near arenaPiazza del Bra (Lincoln figuring out where to go next)Dinner on Piazza del Erbe ~ Delizioso1Verona from Castel San Pietro1Castel San Pietro1Sunset-ish1Waiting for dark and Verona lightsVeronaVeronaVerona after darkVerona after dark2Verona all lit up

    Ortisei to Verano

    June 9 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Back down the mountain pass. The second photo shows the highway we were heading towards; explains the tolls on the autobahn ~ it went on for miles like this!

    First sight of Lake Garda was spectacular. We made a few stops as we meandered along the lake highway. First stop was Malcesine. We had coffee and walked around ~ super cool old town featuring Castello Scaligero.

    Next stop Garda town. Strolled along the waterfront promenade. Much more of a beach town than Malcesine.

    Lazise was a nice combo of the first two towns with its cobblestone streets and waterfront walk. Lazise was the first free commune of Italy and is completely surrounded by a fortified wall dating back to the early Middle Ages.

    Off to Verano. We had to park a bit of a walk from our flat ~ more rolling down cobblestone streets.

    Our first sight was Piazza del Erbe - spectacular. We wandered the streets for a few hours ~ found the coolest candy store ever, Piazza del Bra, and the Verona Arena where they held the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Ate dinner on the Piazza del Erbe ~ first Italian fish ‘n chips ~ so yummy and it didn’t even need tartar sauce. (Fortunately I googled whether that was ok in Italy…it is not 😳)

    The main objective of the evening was to see the sunset from Castel San Pietro. Unfortunately it was too cloudy to see the sun actually set but it was still spectacular. We waited patiently for the lights of Verona to come on before climbing back down the 249 stairs back down. Worth the wait!    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Buongiorno Verano ☀️
    1Morning coffee in little cafeSermione2Sermione - water 🤩1Maberrie's next venture? Frutti di bosco1Rocco Scaligero1SirmioneJamaica BeachJamaica Beach1SirmioneSirmioneFirst sight of BergamoPiazza Vecchia 5:22 pmPiazza Vecchia 6:33 pm1Our streetOur front gate1Our inner courtyardPalazzo della RagioneBassilica di Santa Maria1Venetian WallsVenetian Walls1Standing on the Venetian WallsBergamoBergamo1Enjoying some cheesecake in Piazza Vecchia

    Verona to Bergamo

    June 10 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Morning coffee in Verano ~ last chance to enjoy our favorite place so far 🥰

    Sirmione is a lovely resort town on Lake Garda. We found free parking and were so proud of ourselves until we realized just how far we were from the sites we wanted to see 😅

    Here stands Rocco Scaligero, a medieval castle overlooking the lake. On the peninsula are many shops and restaurants, gelato ~ my favorite flavor so far ~ Frutti di bosco 😋, tons of people, and what they call Jamaica Beach. We haven’t been to Jamaica but we are pretty sure it’s a misnomer…

    The weather went from sunny to cloudy with thunder and a few raindrops, back to sunny. Another beautiful place in Italy!

    On to Bergamo where we are staying tonight. Our home for the night is the fifth floor of a 600 year old building attached to a landmark, Torre del Gombito. It’s in the heart of the city center of upper Bergamo. It’s amazingly old and beautiful.

    We saw the sites including Piazza Vecchia, Palazzo Della Ragione, Bassilica di Santa Maria, Cappella Colleoni, and the Venetian walls built in 1561 and which extend over 6 kilometers. They were really cool and it was fun to walk on top of them!

    It was starting to cloud up when we arrived, it rained for about an hour, and the sun came out for a beautiful evening. You can see how quickly the skies changed in the two photos of Piazza Vecchia taken just over an hour apart!

    Dinner from an Irish Pub, cheesecake in Piazza Vecchia ~ Buona Serata Bergamo 🌙    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    1Buongiorno Bergamo ☀️
    BergamoFirst ride in a Tesla1A guy playing a saxophone on the top floor balconyBrera, MilanBrera, Milan1Galleria VittorioGalleria Vittorio1Galleria VittorioPiazza del Scala2Duomo di Milano1Costello SforzescoCostello SforzescoCostello SforzescoLincoln renting the lime scooter (I'm praying)Phew 😅 Thank you, Lord!Palace Hotel, ComoComoComoComo

    Bergamo to Como via Milan

    June 11 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Started the morning with a stroll through Bergamo. Shops were starting to open but we mostly had the streets to ourselves. Even found some new places we hadn’t seen last night.
    Drove to Milan airport to take Pamela (our car) home. Arrived to find that the train workers are apparently on strike, leaving everyone in search of a bus to somewhere. We wanted to go to Milan but, with only a few hours available, had to decide if we wanted to wait for a bus to take us or take advantage of the time we had. So we took an Uber to Milan.
    My first ride in a Tesla. It was cool and our driver was an excellent driver but wow, it was a little scary! He drove like I’ve not experienced before; thankfully we arrived safely, shaving 10 minutes off a 60 minute drive 🫣
    We walked through Milan to the Brera neighborhood which was much like Venice, Verano, and Bergamo, but unlike the rest of Milan. On the way we saw a guy playing a saxophone from the top floor balcony ~ so cool!
    Next we went to the landmarks of Milan. We walked through Galleria Vittorio which is a glass covered shopping area and was stunning. I have no idea what any of the stores were because I was too busy looking up! We also saw Piazza della Scala, Duomo di Milano, and Costello Sforzesco.
    At this point we were a long walk from the bus station where we had stored our suitcases and weren’t looking forward to a long trek back. So…we rented a lime scooter and Lincoln drove us back to Milano Centrale. He did an amazing job navigating the busy streets of Milan in spite of his maps being confused on which direction we were heading ~ but I was terrified the whole time! We shaved two minutes on our walk time (we had to stop every few minutes to figure out which way to go) but I think it took at least two years off my life! And you all know how much I love a thrill…NEVER AGAIN!
    With the trains being down, we took a taxi from Milan to Como. Another scary experience with a driver, as this fine sir seemed easily frustrated with traffic! Thankfully we arrived safely at our hotel in Como. We found a panini shop and took our dinner to the waterfront to eat. It was a lovely evening in Como and we are looking forward to exploring it the next three days.    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Lake Como
    On the boat1On the boatLake Como1Nesso, Lake ComoAregno, Lake Como1Lake ComoAregno, Lake Como1Villa del BalbianelloVilla del BablianelloVilla del BablianelloVilla del Bablianello stairsVilla del Bablianello1I asked a guy to take my pic - he didn't speak English...1Casino Royale scene2Mango GelatoLenno2Quiet Time view1Villa del Bablianello from the boatTorino, Lake ComoCernobbio, Lake ComoMolt radio, Lake ComoLincoln's work team1Dinner with Linc's co-workers - cool restaurantComo at night

    Lake Como and Villa del Babianello

    June 12 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Lincoln had to work today so I went on a solo adventure. I bought a boat ticket early this morning and took a two hour ride on Lake Como. It was spectacular! I wanted to get on a rapido boat which would have transported me in 30 minutes, but God knew better.
    I sat on the top of the boat in the very back and saw the most beautiful scenery on Lake Como.

    I arrived in Lenno 10 minutes past my appointed time to visit Villa del Balbianello and I also needed to immediately purchase a return ticket if I wanted to get back to Como today. So I arrived at the gate 35 minutes late, praying they would let me in. Yay God, no problema!

    I walked around the gardens of Villa del Balbianello and took so many pics I had to replace my camera battery ~which rarely happens. It was so beautiful! I got photos of the two famous scenes from Casino Royale and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. The Star Wars photo isn’t precise because it was taken from far back on the grass and I was not allowed to walk on the grass ~ except for the one foot I put there to get back just far enough to make an effort at the pic.

    I had some mango gelato as I walked the footpath back to the boat dock. I was hoping to get on an earlier boat but was not able to ~ God again! I sat on the shore in Lenno and had my quiet time ~ it was very special and such a gift!

    Back on the boat for another two hour trip. This time I sat in the bow of the boat listening to my “God Songs” playlist, loving every minute of it! I might have cried a few times as I listened to “Great Are You Lord” (Down Here) and “Smell the Color 9” (Chris Rice) as I marveled at God’s incredible creation.

    This might have been one of my BEST days! I was super nervous about all of it by myself. But God made His presence very evident as He was in all the details, dropping me safely back in Como.
    Went to dinner with Lincoln’s co-workers in a garden-like restaurant, followed by a nice stroll under the lights of Como. Buonanotte 😴    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Morning walk in Como
    Morning walk in ComoShopping in ComoBoat tour on Lake ComoBoat tourFilm: Oceans 12, Murder Mystery1Voted "Best Villa" on Lake Como ~ $17,000 euro/night"Best Villa"George Clooney owns all this ~ guest house on left, main house on right2Jon I found our next house ~ $33 million euro, buying from Vladimir Putin's bankerNesso ~ 1000 year old bridge2Villa la CassinellaVilla de BalbianelloVilla del BalbianelloVilla del BalbianelloStar Wars scene ~ actual locationVilla del BalbianelloOur boat with Skipper MarioVilla del BalbianelloBelaggioBelaggio1BelaggioLincoln in Lake ComoMe in Lake ComoLake Como

    Lake Como ~ Saturday

    June 13 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Got up early, grabbed some coffee, and walked around the lake for a bit before breakfast. Met Lincoln in the dining room before he started work for a quick bite.

    Some of Linc’s people were there and I met the husband of one of his coworkers and we decided to walk around together while everyone worked. He likes to explore which was a good thing when I was in charge of guiding us to an open-air market on the other side of town. I got us most of the way and then he had to take over. But we made it! I looked around while he sat on a bench and played a game on his phone 😂

    He wanted to get back to go to lunch with the rest of the gang so we hustled back. I bowed out of lunch and went back to the market to do some shopping. He is an interesting Icelandic psychiatrist who loves to talk so it was pretty fun and low-stress.

    The activity for the afternoon was a 5 hour private boat trip on the lake. All 10 of us piled on to a beautiful mahogany lake cruiser with our Skipper, Marco. He took us along the shore and told us interesting facts about the history of several places on Lake Como. He showed us George Clooney’s home and guest house and told us how he also purchased all of the houses behind his property ~ one way to control who your neighbors are, I guess.

    We also stopped at Villa del Babianello, where I had been yesterday. Lincoln pointed out that I had taken a photo in the wrong spot for the Star Wars scene ~ I guess the line of people waiting for a photo in the correct location should have given it away…

    Marco then dropped us off at Bilaggio , the most prestigious of the towns on the lake, where Lincoln and I spent an hour and a half walking around, shopping, eating gelato and a chocolate croissant, and sitting by the lake. Some had lunch while another couple of people spent time swimming.

    Once back on the boat we had a fast-paced hour trip back to Como. It was an amazing day with some really nice people. It’s nice to spend a few days in one place, getting a feel for the people and the culture.    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Buongiorno Como ☀️
    Italian yoga in the parkLocal restauranteurs catching tonight's dinner...jkComoView for my quiet time1Palace Hotel where we've stayedComo-Brunate funicular1On the funicularOn the funicularMost of the crew1View from BrunateSpaghetti lunchView from our restaurant1Swiss AlpsBrunate from inside the funicularOn the way downView from our hotel of the top of the funicular and BrunatePorta TorreDinner with the teamView from dinnerWalking back to the hotelHotel courtyard

    Lake Como ~ Sunday

    June 14 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Started the day with with takea walk with Lincoln. Saw some people doing yoga in the park ~ we would have joined but it was in Italian so we wouldn’t have known the moves (not that them being in English would help me 😂) Also some fishing for tonight’s dinner. Went back to our rooms ~ Lincoln worked, I did my quiet time while icing my swollen ankle. I’m not sure what happened, possibly the Milan scooter ride??

    Lincoln had an owner’s meeting and then the group reconvened to ride the Como-Brunate funicular which connects the city of Como with the village of Brunate in Lombardy. The line has operated since 1894. The line was quite long so we waited patiently…

    We rode to the top, took some photos, and then found a place for lunch with a view of Como and the surrounding area. I had spaghetti for the first time while in Italy ~ it was delicious and my tummy definitely liked it better than the pasta we have at home.

    Lincoln and I rode back down ahead of the rest of the group as we wanted to do some shopping in town. We discovered parts of Como we hadn’t seen yet including Porta Torre, one of Cosmos’ most famous medieval landmarks. It was built in 1192 as the main southern gate of the walled city. Good find!

    Last dinner with the Stock Analysis team. Then goodbyes on the hotel patio. These are some good people. We had a lot of fun with them!

    Buona Serata 💙    Read more

  • Galene OlsonItalyTraveler
    Arrivederchi Como 🙋🏻‍♀️
    Morning view from hotel stepsMorning walkMorning walkLounge at Milan Linate airportLime scooter route 😳Our crooked hotelMont BlancFrankfurt, GermanyRiding an accordion bus to the plane747 ~ we sat on the top levelBusiness Class 🤩Madison's birthday 🎉Madison and Arianne 💕Arianne's first strawberry 🍓

    Como to Lynden

    June 15 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Got up early and met Lincoln for a last walk around the lake. Grabbed some coffee and breakfast to go (take away in Italia) and hopped in our taxi. Made it to the airport in plenty of time, zipped through check-in and security ~ my bag didn’t get flagged 🥳.
    Hung out in the VIP lounge ~ ate some breakfast, drank more coffee, did some shopping.

    A few tidbits:
    ~ We have a map of our Lime scooter ride in Milano ~ Lincoln’s phone was very confused about what direction we were heading. As you can see, the ride should have been quick; we took the 45 minute “scenic” route.

    ~ Our hotel in Como was crooked. Rest assured, the floors inside were level but our rooms were in two separate buildings and Lincoln had commented that my stairs seemed like 1 1/2 floors up to the first floor and his was just one quick flight of stairs to the first floor in his building ~ now we know why 😂

    ~ I finally mastered the phrase I worked hard on: Buena giornata ~ Have a great day! I had some help along the way with more than a few giggles, but soon I was getting smiles and Buena giornata in return! I felt like a real Italian…jk. One store owner corrected me to Buena serata ~ Have a great night! as it was almost 5 pm. ☺️ Learned something new and used that phrase too!

    Flight(s) home were uneventful. Flew from Milan to Frankfurt. The Swiss Alps were beautiful ~ saw Mont Blanc ~ the highest mountain in the range. Did not add Germany to my Bucket List…

    Quick jaunt through airport and a ride on an accordion bus. I’ve never stood in the accordion part ~ the floor moves so it was a quite surprising 😳. Onto the next plane, A 747 ~ it was HUGE! I asked Lincoln if it made him nervous to think about a plane that big getting up in the air? “Not until you mentioned it!” 😂 320 passengers and 15 flight attendants!

    Landed in Vancouver, breezed through customs/passport control. Jon and Stephanie picked us up and we headed for Lynden. It’s always so good to come home 🏡 How blessed we are to have people and a place that makes coming home one of the best parts of a trip!! 💙

    Whipped up a cheesecake quick for Madison’s birthday (from a box, which she prefers 😅) and had a dessert celebration for the Birthday Girl 🥳 Also got to see Arianne have her first strawberry 🍓 ~ she liked it!

    Thanks for following along ~ and thanks to Lincoln for taking me along on an amazing adventure!! ❌⭕️    Read more

    Trip end
    June 15, 2026