Unfortunately our stay in beautiful Lugano ended and we boarded the tour bus for a trip to Mennagio on the northern shore of Lake Como. The trip took us along the old RomanVia Regina through quaint Italian towns. I took most of these images through the back window of the tour bus. These are two of the towns we drove through:

ARGEGNO ON LAKE COMO
Argegno is one of Lario's most frequented places, as a place to stay as well as to stop in to visit. Actually from here a road travels the Valle d'Intelvi (Intelvi Valley), which connects Lake Como with that of Lugano. Argegno is 20 km. from Como, from which can be reached by travelling the statale (state road) Regina, which takes its name from the ancient Roman via Regia that lead to Chiavenna and to Coira, and follows its route. The valley is full of towns and includes noted tourist localities such as Castiglione, St.Fedele and Lanzo, as well as calm and relaxing villages. Points of exceptional beauty are Belvedere (Terrace with a view) di Pigra, towards Lake Como, and Belvedere di Lanzo, towards Lugano's lake.

Very picturesque is the ancient village of the town which, having crossed the Telo torrent, is divided into two parts connected by an old, pointed-arch stone bridge. The town's Roman origin is testified to by a few discoveries of gravestones, the inscriptions of which refer to the consul Publio Cesio Archigene. Argegno has since ancient times been a fortified centre, its strategic position played a fundamental role in the course of the war between the Rusca and the Vittani, in 1335 it surrendered together with all the towns of Como to the Lordship of Milan and became property of the Visconti.

From Argegno you can climb in the cableway to Pigra (881 mt) located on a plateau from which a beautiful panorama of Lake Como can be enjoyed. The Santuario di S. Anna (St. Anna Sanctuary), an 18th century building, which conserves in its interior stuccoes and frescos of the 1700s, is a must-see. Every town of the valley offers us with something from the artisan ability point of view, which often is elevated to a downright work of art. Among its most famous artist families should be mentioned the Carloni of Scaria, the Solari of Verna, the Quaglio and Barberini of Laino, and Bregno of Osteno.

COLLONO
The picturesque pastel village of Colonno reflects onto the smooth water of Lake Como. Sitting at the base of Mt. Costone, it cuddles the strip of land where the mountains fall into the lake. Thought to have been founded by Greek settlers, the town maintains its medieval face with buildings hugging each other amid narrow lanes. It was traditionally populated by fishermen and farmers. Ascending up the hill a bit are remains of terracing from farming and walls that once protected the hamlet from harm.

The church of San Michele is adorned with 14th century frescoes and a Romanesque bell tower that provides the town's focal point. The main draw is the Greenway del Lago, which begins at Colonno. This 10-kilometer trail leads along the lake, through rural landscapes and hills using existing streets and paths, to provide a panoramic walk that ends at Cadenabbia. You can choose to do only certain segments if you wish. Along the way you'll pass historic villas, churches, gardens and of course lovely lake views. The path is well-signed.

Colonno is near Lenno and its beautiful promontory.

I hope you enjoy these images. As always, please try the downloads. More to come!
Mark