After my Rome-Florence-Venice portion of the perfect travel I think I have organized for my group is a stop in Como, Italy.

We arrived mid-day on Saturday last, and checked into our hotel – only for a few minutes to freshen up and change into our walking shoes. We had to take the funicular up to the highest point in Como to see the spectacular views for only 5.50euro roundtrip. This can’t be missed no matter how long the lines.

Dinner followed after that, along with a bottle of wine and the perfect conversations before we turned in.

The next day we would spend on the lake, with an all-day pass to visit some of the small towns or villages perched along the heavenly lake. Since we were pressed for time I selected three stops. Menaggio, Varrena and Bellagio.

I fell in love with Menagio and considered for the three hours I was there to live in the quant town. Varrena was a stop for lunch and a stroll through the cobblestone village and then a 15 minute boat ride to Bellagio where I’ve been to a dozen times. Shopping and drinks and then the last boat back to civilization in that part of the world – Como.

Where we strolled through more cobblestone streets for some shopping and then returned to our hotel room.  Off season travel is the best if you have to ask – making enjoying such destinations more relaxing and serene.