EUROPE 2026 : BAROLO, PIEDMONT

Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 June

I love Piemonte.

It's not touristy or overcrowded and it's beautiful, especially the hilltop towns and vineyards all around Barolo.

Camping Sole Langhe has been one of our favourite campsites for so many years and so we introduced Tommy and Mandy to it.

Luckily they have a lovely guesthouse too ; Ca San Ponzio where we stayed with Larry and Jean.

Piedmontese food is just the best. 

200m away, Boun Padre is one of our favourite restaurants in Italy.

They serve the best Tajarin (angel hair pasta ) you will ever eat.

On Friday we spent time in Barolo.

We "ate in" for dinner with Tommy and Mandy in the campsite. 

On Saturday it's market day in Alba so we stocked up on meats,cheeses, bread and wine for dinner.

Everyone enjoyed a slower pace for a few days.

EUROPE 2026 : 24 HRS IN TURINO

Wednesday 10 June 

Swoop into the city and stay at the centrally located Hotel Grand Sitea.
Head straight to Piazza St.Carlo for coffee at one of the historic cafes.

Bicerin is the local speciality - expresso, hot chocolate and cream.

Watch the kids cavorting in the fountains on Piazza Castello.

On to Cattedrale di San Giovanni Batista for Jean to see "The Shroud". It's in a 5m long box so that's all you really see.

Sidewalk drinks in two different cafes to watch the passing crowd. Campari Spritz or Hugo Spritz ( with elderflower ) have become our less sweet favourites. Turin isn't a very touristy city so we do enjoy the local vibe. A fabulous dinner at Tabui, enjoying the 4-course truffle menu with wine pairing.

Next morning we are in an Uber by 9.30 and off to the National Auto Museum; definately in our top 5 car museums ever.

Another Uber to the fabulous Lavazza Museum to pay homage to my second favourite beverage after bubbly.

Local lunch at Cafe Kenzia and back on the road by 2.30pm.

EUROPE 2026 : LAKE COMO

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th June

We made a morning stop in Bergamo. We caught the historic, crowded and slightly underwhelming funicular up to Citta Alta for a few hours.  

Lake Como is another favourite place. We drove up on the Eastern Shore and took a car ferry over to Menaggio from Varenna.

Menaggio is one of my favourite places in the Europe.

Our apartment was amazing; the converted old Hotel Principe with a palatial living room, wonderful views of the lake and the best location right on the main square.

After drinks with our view, we ate at our favourite Pizzeria Lugano. The best food at the best price is usually not accompanied by the best view.

On Tuesday we caught the ferry over to Bellagio. Over-rated and touristy but a must -do for the first timers with us.

For dinner we ate in on a balmy evening, doors flung open so it sounded like the sax-playing busker below our window was serenading us in our lounge. This is why we travel with friends; for times like this!