Description: Having spend a good part of the afternoon with our feet firmly planted in the lake-level streets of Como, we decided it was again time to change elevation. What better way than by ascending the funicular leading to the mountains side town of Brunate?
The funicular station is in the northeast corner of Como, and is easily reached by foot. A round-trip ticket costs about 4 euros, and the cable car departs approximately every seven minutes. There is (naturally) a
website, with an English translation giving fares, schedules, and a history of the line. I was surprised to read that a cable car has been making this trip since 1894.
Brunate was an okay town, but the ride up was the best part. In the station, the car parks on an angle, and you must climb the stairs of the platform to reach the cars. Get a seat or stand in the lowest care for the best views over the lake. The day we travelled was a bit hazy - I can only imagine what this would be like on a very clear day.
There are two "whistle" stops along the trip - the car only stops here if requested. Don't bother - it's Brunate you want to get to. The folks getting out before then are locals going home. Can you imagine having to ride this contraption to do your grocery shopping every day?
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