We leave our 4th floor apartment in centro storico early to buy our ferry tickets. Bill takes the elevator and I, due the terrifying Albanian elevator incident, opt for the stairs. Though this building, with its name plates on mail boxes, bikes stored off the lobby and welcome mats door front on the alpine wood floors is definitely more occupied than that of our Albanian condo.
Gnarled olive trees line the lakefront and on the pedestrian-only shopping streets a bit back from the water, we see lemon and orange trees. Incredible to have a Mediterranean climate right here at the base of the Alto Adige.
Bicyclists swerve through the main town square and up through the narrower passageways into town. It was what drew us to this place. The climate, the cycling paths, sailing, mountains, beauty. We’ve been to both Lago di Como and Lago Maggiore but when looking for a place to actually live, your criteria changes. Not too big or too small. We don’t want to own a car here so access to ferries, buses and trains. Activities to choose from. Restaurants. Did I mention beauty? So far, this is checking all the boxes!
The ferry ride down lake took 3 hours ( 
A 3-hour tour, a 3-hour tour 
) and we enjoyed watching the first light hit the lake as the sun peeked over the east side mountain tops. We got off in Salo and sat in a cafe with a couple of caffè macchiatos to watch the promenade come to life with bicyclists and pedestrians. We amble across pebbled passageways and window shop as we make our way through town, stopping for a wonderful lunch at a restaurant on a small street away from the lake. Best food yet in this region!
A 3-hour tour, a 3-hour tour ) and we enjoyed watching the first light hit the lake as the sun peeked over the east side mountain tops. We got off in Salo and sat in a cafe with a couple of caffè macchiatos to watch the promenade come to life with bicyclists and pedestrians. We amble across pebbled passageways and window shop as we make our way through town, stopping for a wonderful lunch at a restaurant on a small street away from the lake. Best food yet in this region!We decided to return to Riva via bus, as it would only take 55 minutes. Have you heard of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? Yes, this was in that vein! Big buses in narrow tunnels not for the faint-of-heart! 
At one point we came up on a hotel valet wheeling a luggage cart on the side of the road. As we came barreling up on two wheels he basically vaulted himself onto a stone wall to avoid getting swiped by our bus! All in good fun though 
At one point we came up on a hotel valet wheeling a luggage cart on the side of the road. As we came barreling up on two wheels he basically vaulted himself onto a stone wall to avoid getting swiped by our bus! All in good fun though It’s been hazy here, and rain is expected for the next few days but our enthusiasm won’t be dampened, we’re off to see and do more of what can be seen and done! Ciao for niao! 
