Chocolate Wasted | All The Chocolate I Ate in Italy: Part 2

Take Me Away - The Cocktail Bar at Hotel Florence in Bellagio

Bellagio is a swift hour ferry ride from Como. I wasn’t quite ready for the many stops along the way, and both my sister and I opted for a driver following this particular transport to the most popular spot on the lake also known as Lake Lario. Given that we were visiting in the summer, the height of tourist season, we weren’t surprised at how packed the boat was, but we were indeed over it by the time we headed back to our hotel in Como. We were on a tour when we visited Bellagio, so timing was not our friend. As Italy culture allows, most stores and businesses close for siesta. When we arrived we were told to find somewhere to eat before shopping because restaurants may close soon. So we were rushed for lunch, so I didn’t even make note of the pizza we had. I was able to find what I share above in the video, tiramisu and a nice cocktail to get me through siesta while we waiting to buy silk and soaps at vendors once they re-opened.

The dining at Restaurant Al Veluu in Tremezzo is worth the time and energy it takes to get over the mountain and through the woods. The views alone were breathtaking and we hadn’t even entered the dining area before I was feeling extra vibrant.

Here my Helsi dress is popping with color during Golden Hour in the courtyard of the restaurant. We didn’t eat any chocolate here, but their walnut caramel tart deserves an honorable mention.

Settled in Como - Albergo Terminus

The first few evenings of our Lake Como, Italy visit we stuck to our hotel’s dining offerings. Albergo Terminus was perfection location-wise. Great views of the lake were coupled with a short walk to the ferry and to the train station. Given the long journey from the states, we found the first day was too soon to seek out dinner and breakfast elsewhere. We were impressed with their breakfast, which was included in our stay, as well as their on-site fine dining option Bar Delle Terme. The ambience in the evening indoors is perfection with red velvet walls and candelight juxtaposed with old world lamps, but the views of moonlight reflecting off of Lake Como called us onto their outdoor terrace. The lobster pasta served tableside and the gnocchi was worth every penny. The chocolate hazelnut dessert, Croccantina alla nocciola, was like nothing I’ve had in the United States. I’m used to a milk chocolate bar with hazelnuts, but this hazelnut brittle came with Bavarian cream, a cocoa biscuit, and dark chocolate mousse. I didn’t even take a picture as by dessert, we were immersed with the amazing servers who were engaging and committed to ensuring our experience was top-tier.

Surprise, Surprise - The Avenue Hotel

I’m a sucker for a nice boutique hotel. Having stayed at the more well-known hotel a few nights, we moved over to The Avenue Hotel because they advertised a free private boat tour and shuttle. As I mentioned above, in practice, we weren’t interested in more boat tours by the time we stayed there, but we were pleasantly surprised with the chocolate. See the video below for the full story!

Lugano, Switzerland - Vanini Chocolates

Unlike La Maison du Chocolat, Vanini Italian Chocolates are available around the United States. So, while I was on the quick trip to Lugano, Switzerland, just over the Italy border, I wasn’t pressed to purchase a ton of their offerings. While the many hazelnut and praline truffles were tempting, I ended up with two small and simple pieces of chocolate: (1) a milk chocolate bark with candy-coated M&M'-like embellishments, and the fruit-infused bon-bons.