Tag 40 RANCO (Italy) 14.09.2022

Today is our anniversary, the 17th and at the same time the 21st day of getting to know each other! Wow!!! Where has all the time gone, we often ask ourselves, but especially around a date like this. We want to really celebrate and enjoy everything together tonight, at Lake Maggiore. Hopefully the long-awaited luxury hotel awaits us there, where we want to take a break and just enjoy ourselves.

But first, we're waiting for the tram that will take us two stops closer to Wilde Hilde. Everything is going well and we'll be on our way around 9:00 a.m. Like so many others in Lyon. But the co-pilot has everything under control and so do I, because today is all about harmony, even if it feels like we have to pay road tolls every 5 minutes. The amount is not even recorded with a ticket, but is collected as a lump sum, because there is no other route. If you pay in cash, you throw the money into a big metal mouth and the machine counts it and, if satisfied, opens the barrier, of course also possibly giving change beforehand. It also works with bills, only sometimes not with the bank card. In a somewhat hectic search for such a barrier, there was almost a crash, as I was unexpectedly overtaken on the right, but on our anniversary we feel particularly well protected. That's why we also drive through the 7-kilometer-long 'Frejus Tunnel' at Mt. Blanc with only a few anxieties. This toll fee highlight costs us 48 € ! ! ! Overall, we pay about 100 € in fees from Lyon to Lake Maggiore, not bad, huh?

In return, the 'Hotel Conca Azzurra' really rewards us. The room is exactly what we imagined: a free view from the terrace of the very calm lake, a parking lot in front of the house under shady trees, and a very spacious room with built-in closets. Finally, our clothes, which have been folded in the suitcase for almost 6 weeks now, can hang on a hanger for a few days. Oh, it goes without saying that the sun will come out and shine on the bride and groom, and a bottle of Prosecco in the ice cooler completes the scene, doesn't it?

It can be imagined that the evening in elegant attire, with super tasteful menus and a Riesling from Trentino, continues very, very relaxed. With a last glass on the balcony, with starry lights in the background, and being aware of our wonderful relationship, we end today's blog post!