Monday
We were the first couple to arrive at breakfast the next morning, excited to start our visit of the area. After taking in the daylight view from the terrace, we found a visitor map and set out on foot. Not far from the hotel a small path led us down the hill, past quiet villages and walled gardens. Overhanging trees had dropped figs along the path, and David jumped up to steal a low hanging pear.
At the bottom of the hill we found the Greenway, a nearly 4-mile long footpath on the western side of the lake. Four miles doesn't sound like much, but when the path is rather steep, and when you're stopping every hundred yards to take pictures or gape at the view, you don't progress too quickly.
We followed the Greenway along the lake, along the road, through villages, and up the side of the mountain before stopping for a small lunch at a cafe. Then we took the long hike back up to the hotel, where we promptly fell asleep.
Later that afternoon, as the sun was beginning to descend, I bugged David to take us on a small driving tour. After the previous night's traffic adventure he wasn't too enthused, but in the end we only drove a few kilometers to the next town and got out to walk around again.
We returned to the hotel just in time for dinner - veal, pasta, and homemade tiramisu. After another hearty meal David went upstairs to read and I hung around the hotel's vast lounge to watch the US Open with an elderly English couple. It was so nice to speak English with someone, especially someone who really knew their tennis.
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