Monday, july 25

After a very fun day and night of celebrating Hirsh's birthday with Maurizio, we thought we were ready to check out of our Bergamo B&B and hit the road to Venice.  Hirsh had collected our next rental car - a Smart Car! - and we were all set.  As we were about to pay our hotel bill, we realized we really hadn't planned our next steps.  Other than knowing the route we'd take to Venice, we didn't know where we were going to sleep that night, and we really didn't want to leave this amazing place.  So on a whim, we asked the B&B owner if we could stay another night.  He said yes, but...the only room available was the suite.  He showed us the suite and we hesitated for about half a second before saying "We'll take it!"

We had no idea when we arrived in Bergamo that we'd happen upon the nicest place - all around - either of us has ever stayed.  The B&B, called "Like Home," is located close to the airport in a residential neighborhood.  It's owned and managed by a lovely couple who couldn't sell their mansion because it's so big, so they decided to renovate the first two floors and turn it into a bed and breakfast with five or six beautifully appointed rooms.  They live on the third floor.  Everything about this place is perfect.  It's so immaculately clean we would not hesitate to actually eat off the floors.  It's been professionally decorated in a high-end French country style (Sarah's favorite!, and now maybe Hirsh's too?).  The sheets, towels, soap, breakfast buffet, free snack bar in the lounge, warm and friendly staff...everything was superlative.

First night's room...

Even the door stop is adorable.  They've thought of everything!

For day and night two, we just hung out all day in this ridiculous room with a private wrap-around balcony, planning our next week of travel.  We even caught a bit of the opening of the Democratic National Convention, since they had a few American channels.  It was divine!

Second night's dinner, we just ate on site on their beautiful garden terrace.  That's how much we didn't want to leave the grounds.

All that, and it was a great value, to boot!  If you ever find yourself staying in Bergamo - and you might because it's a big travel hub in Italy - please consider staying here!!!