Lago d'Iseo

Saturday 21st May

Today we travelled again, mostly on motorway, but coming off it at Bergamo as the old town high on a hilltop was worth a visit.  Our friendly chap in reception at Arona - Ivan - had told us that there was a large carpark near the base of the funicular that goes up there.  Hmmm ... the only carparks we came across while negotiating a rather busy 'low' town were multi-storey or underground types.  So reluctantly we gave up and continued our journey on minor roads to Lago d'Iseo and Camping Punta d'Oro.  A small site and surprisingly busy, but the German owner who directed us in told us that this was because now is a holiday time in Germany.  We then realised that apart from one Swiss van, it is totally occupied by German ones!  She did let us in, though!  As it's been such a hot day, we relaxed all afternoon, but then walked into Iseo town after dinner.
 
The whole world (at least those that weren't in Annecy!) were here strolling along the waterfront or eating dinner at pavement restaurants.  We settled for 3-flavour gelatos but had to eat them fairly quickly so they didn't melt everywhere.  Note to Adam (who has collected ice cream spoons in Italy before):  we have 3 more for you when we get back.  Why 3? Because we had a taster of one of the flavours before deciding.

Sunday 22nd May

Today we climbed a mountain!  Although it's probably been the hottest day so far, we had an urge to reach the highest point on the largest lake island in Europe - Monte Isola.  The ferry over to the island was packed and certainly exceeding the 400 capacity.  Once there, the crowds mingled with each other along the promenade, while we took the steep steps up past ancient houses and onto the track uphill to the 15C Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola. 

Monte Isola

The church on the top

The map said the walk took 50 minutes - well it took us just over 2 hours and was quite hard work on stoney/rocky  paths (up to 600m),
 
but with such stunningly beautiful views all the way and lots of trees for shade, lots of stops to get our breath back and the reward of a loo (surprisingly respectable) at the top, it was so worth it.  Although the crowds stayed down below, there were plenty of other walkers to greet along the way.  Most of the way there was a drop down to our left-hand side, but sometimes there would be a tiny olive grove or vineyard and even a patch of potatoes growing.  There was one small village too, with a few sheep munching close by. 

Nearly there ....

 

We've reached the top

We'd seen notices referring to 'floating piers' and soon found out what they are - white flat structures around a private island for one to moor ones boat and do some serious sunbathing or maybe, fishing.  They looked quite strange from way above.

The one and only geocache in this area is .... on the top of this mountain!  After a long rest and a some calm time in the church we set off a short way down a different path to find it beside a helicopter pad.  We still had a travel bug that we'd picked up in Norway in April and decided to leave it here.  Wonder where it will travel to next.  We've kept it so long because so many geocaches these days are too small to put a travel bug in. 

Helicopter pad with stones in front hiding a cache!

The ferry back to Iseo was just as busy, but we were able to leave them behind us and snooze away an hour or two under our awning before getting dinner ready.