nesso

Sleepy Italian towns might be my favorite. We booked an airbnb on Lake Como not knowing anything about it or where it was. I'm sure this can go horribly wrong, but this time it worked out well. The town of Nesso was beautiful and the apartment was great. Since we weren't driving a toy Fiat, the windy road in the mountains over the lake was a bit treacherous at times, but we made it and even successfully sorted out parking--two large victories. 

 Since we had just come from swimming at Valle Verzasca, the weather was wonderful and the one restaurant in town didn't open for a couple more hours, we headed down to the lake to explore while wearing swimsuits.

Cousins!!!

 We found this beautiful bridge with steps leading down to the water next to it. We spent the next hour swimming in the water and jumping off the bridge.

After most of her cousins had jumped in, Violet quietly asked Rocky if he would help her jump. He walked up the bridge and held her hand has they jumped off. She told me later that she was so scared, she felt like she was jumping into hot lava. Eliot was the last one to jump but after she finally did it, she jumped two more times and said it was so fun.

It was a beautiful night. I think one of the reasons it was so wonderful was that we had no expectations or itinerary, we just chanced upon this spot and soaked in all the beauty without needing to be anywhere or do anything. Some of my favorite moments in travel, parenting and life have been at times when I have found beauty in joy in simple and unexpected moments.

 Cousin sleepover.

Cousins playing games in the piazza.

Also, anyone looking for property in George Clooney's neighborhood (or somewhere within a 30 km radius of where he, at one point, had a villa), this place is for sale. It was right across the piazza from our apartment and Eliot pointed out that it has everything you need: shelter and a place to grow plants indoors. check and check.