Travelling Sprout

A Sprout Tries to Spy George Clooney

By Shelley Banks

The first question we’re asked whenever we mention that we visited Lake Como is ‘did you see George Clooney?’ the answer to which is no, but we found out where his house is. He just wasn’t there at the time.

After a 217-kilometre journey, we finally made our way to Lake Como. This trip involved four separate train rides, starting from Riomaggiore and continuing on to La Spezia, then Parma, Milan, and eventually our final destination. The first leg of our journey was on a crowded local train, which unfortunately didn’t have any designated space for suitcases. We ended up standing near the door, doing our best not to block the way for other passengers.

The next two trains, running regionally, were at least equipped with luggage storage areas. However, these were already full by the time we boarded, so we had no choice but to place our bags in the spaces reserved for bicycles.

Our final train into Lake Como was first class, and it was by far the most comfortable leg of the journey. After the earlier crowded and cramped conditions, we really appreciated the extra space this last train provided.

Upon arriving in Como, after having spent most of the day sitting down, we opted to walk the one kilometre from the train station to the ferry terminal. Navigating the route, we found it much more manageable to wheel our suitcases along the bitumen roads (when there were gaps in the traffic) rather than struggle over the cobblestone streets.

Aerial view of a lakeside city with marina, residential buildings, and green spaces, showcasing a bustling waterfront and organized layout.

Scenic lakeside walkway with trees, benches, and a person strolling, overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains and buildings.

When we finally reached the ferry terminal, we discovered that all ferries to Bellagio—our destination and where our accommodation was booked—had sold out for the rest of the day. Not keen on forking out AU$200 for a taxi ride, we quickly dismissed that idea and instead decided to make do with a local bus. The bus driver’s energetic style behind the wheel was more reminiscent of a rally car driver than someone operating public transport, leaving us praying we’d actually make it to our destination and not lunge off the road, tumble down the steep cliffsides and sink in the lake.

Our accommodation in Bellagio proved to be fantastic, perfectly situated right on the edge of Lake Como. The room itself was beautifully appointed and spacious, boasting large windows that allowed us to fully appreciate the breathtaking views over the water. We loved that restaurants and cafes were all within easy walking distance, making it convenient to explore the local dining scene.

However, there was one downside. Directly across the street from our accommodation was a restaurant known for its lively atmosphere and live music. While the festivities added to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood, it meant that getting a good night’s sleep was challenging. We finally managed to drift off around 1.30 am—later than we would have liked, especially after a long day spent travelling to reach Bellagio.

A scenic view of a lakeside town at dusk, featuring charming buildings, a marina with a boat, and lush green hills in the background.

Scenic view of a lakeside town at dusk, featuring illuminated buildings reflected in the calm water, surrounded by mountains.

The next morning, with the sun shining brightly, we decided to make the most of the glorious weather by booking a tour of Lake Como on a classic Italian timber speedboat. There were several tour operators to choose from, all around the same price. What helped us decide was a familiar accent, coming from a woman named Janine from Sydney. She and her husband, Luca, owned one of the speedboat companies. Janine had relocated to Como thirty years ago after meeting Luca and settling into life on the lake.

As we set out on the lake, Luca took on the role of guide, pointing out notable sights and sharing snippets of local knowledge. Among the highlights, he showed us a villa owned by Richard Branson, available for rent at an eye-watering AU$200,000 per week.

Gliding across the sparkling waters of Lake Como, we were treated to a stunning panorama of lush hillsides dotted with grand villas and picturesque villages. Every bend in the lake revealed a new postcard-perfect scene—stone churches perched above the shoreline, opulent estates with manicured gardens, and colourful fishing boats bobbing near charming little harbours. The Alps loomed in the distance, providing a dramatic backdrop to the beauty of the region.

We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant on a quiet corner of the lake and ate sea bass followed by peach sorbet and watched boats glide by.

A view of a lakeside town with colorful buildings and lush green hills in the background, as seen from a boat on the water. A flag is visible in the foreground.

Scenic view of a waterfront hotel along a lake, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains under a clear blue sky.

We ended the day back at Bellagio where we climbed the steep cobblestone stairs and explored the alleys, finding cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. We also came across a busker who called out that we should grab a cushion from the pile next to him and sit on one of the stone steps and listen to him play for a while. Staff from the bar behind us brought out a glass of wine each and we sat and listened to music until the sun went down.

A picturesque street scene in a quaint town featuring a 'Aperitivi Wine Bar' sign, cobblestone pathway, and lush greenery. People stroll leisurely, enjoying the charming atmosphere.

A picturesque cobblestone street in a quaint town, with weathered buildings featuring shutters and awnings, under heavy rainfall.

Having spent the previous day on the go, we decided to have a slower pace on our last full day in Bellagio and just wander around the town.

Spending a day in Bellagio is like stepping into a picturesque postcard come to life. We began our morning with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the lake, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and the gentle hum of boats setting out for the day.

After a morning spent wandering through the narrow, winding laneways lined with colourful boutiques and gelaterias, we paused in the central piazza to watch locals chatting animatedly over their coffee and pastries, then headed into a small, family-owned restaurant for lunch. We finished the day by walking along the shores of the lake, taking in every detail.

As evening approached, the town’s energy shifted; locals gathered along the waterfront and the soft sounds of live music drifted from a nearby café (thankfully, quieter than our first night). We finished the day with dinner on a terrace, watching the lights twinkle on the water and the sky fade from blue to black, feeling utterly content in this beautiful lakeside village.

Musings

You Australians are Everywhere

By Shelley Banks

A common refrain we heard in every country we visited during our Euro Summer last year was ‘you Australians are everywhere’. And counting the number of other Aussies we met while we were on the continent, I’d have to agree. We met more Aussies than any other nationality, even those who came from countries that, to us, were the same distance away as we would cover in a day trip.

In Slovenia, we heard the refrain from a Canadian couple while on a boat on Lake Bled.

In Croatia, it was from an English couple while we cruised along the coastline. Out of the 36 people on our Croatian cruise, 27 of us were from the land Down Under.

In Italy, it was from an American family as we wandered through the Vatican.

As we explored the Parthenon in Athens, our familiar accents could be heard all around.

It seems that twenty hours on a plane is not enough to put us off. Around 88% of Australians have headed overseas at least once, while nearly a third have gone to 10 or more countries. Considering our geographic isolation, those are impressive statistics.

It became a running joke on our trip—no matter how remote or obscure the location, we’d inevitably bump into fellow Aussies, often sharing stories about home or trading travel tips.

There’s a certain camaraderie that comes from meeting someone from your own patch so far from home.

And it also gave us people to whinge to about the exchange rate between the Euro and the Australian dollar as we all shared the same pain.

Short Stories

Crossing Continents

By Shelley Banks

On a warm afternoon on a short trip to the city, Sarah wandered through the bustling Paddington markets, her eyes flicking over stalls loaded with hand-crafted jewellery, freshly baked goods and brightly painted artworks. She’d had no plans on this particular Saturday, so she made a last-minute decision to drive the three and a half hours from her small country town to the bustling city for the weekend, craving a bit of adventure and something out of the ordinary.

As she browsed, an unfamiliar melody drifted from a nearby busker—sweet, lively and distinctly Mediterranean. Intrigued, Sarah edged closer and spotted a man strumming a guitar. He wore a wide grin and sang in a language she didn’t understand, but the warmth in his voice made her smile.

After the song ended, Sarah applauded, and the busker introduced himself. ‘Ciao! I’m Marco, from Positano. I’m travelling around your country before heading home.’

They started chatting, swapping stories of country Australia and the Amalfi coast, of bushwalks and sun-drenched piazzas. Marco’s laughter was infectious, and his tales of Italy painted a vibrant picture of life far beyond the day-to-day life she knew.

When Marco finished playing, he invited her for lunch at an Italian restaurant he’d found that served food which reminded him of his family’s restaurant at home.

In the afternoon, Sarah took Marco to Bondi Beach, surprised he hadn’t been there yet. It was somewhere she’d only been once before, but knew this was where you took tourists.

They spent Sunday together as well and as Sarah’s short break came to an end, they promised they’d keep in touch.

At first, she didn’t think it would happen. But Marco kept his word.

Their phone calls stretched late into the night, and soon they both realised their connection was deeper than they’d initially thought.

One evening, when Sarah came back to the city and as the sun set over the Harbour Bridge, Marco declared, ‘Sarah, I want you to see my home. Come to Positano with me. Stay there with me.’

Sarah paused for a moment. She’d always dreamed of travelling, but staying in Italy felt enormous. She weighed her options—leaving behind her family, her job, and everything she knew and staying indefinitely in a country she was only familiar with from images on the internet was crazy.

But with the promise of new adventures, and a desire to see more of the world and have experiences unlike any she’d had, Sarah took the plunge and booked her ticket. Besides, she told herself, she could come home anytime.

Arriving in Positano, Sarah was greeted by Marco’s family, who showered her with hugs, homemade cannoli and rapid-fire Italian. Life in Italy was a whirlwind of sights and sounds: Vespas whizzing past, markets brimming with fresh produce, and evenings spent on moonlit terraces.

Though she missed the wide Australian sky, Sarah found joy in new traditions—festivals, sharing meals with Marco’s extended family, and sipping espresso at sunrise.

Her world had grown.

Something Light