After decades of journeys, through many, many countries, we have a special list of 'hosts' - people in all walks of the travel business who truly 'get' what it takes to make an experience worthwhile.
From taxi-drivers to trackers, boatmen to bush pilots... concierges to con-men, we've seen 'em all!
That list of true 'hosts' is not a long one - it's a rare gift to understand great service and to execute that accordingly.
Simply put - travel-time is priceless, because these days, at least, it doesn't come cheap, it requires special effort and moments lost cannot be replaced. Time and place moves on, either with fabulous or fraught memories...
Enter Roberto ('Bobby Bello' as we called him) and Paulo - two young men who've started an eBike/Vespa rental and touring business in Varenna on Lake Como.
Wow! Such genuine hospitality, true grasp of customer service and just old-fashioned 'nice-guy' goodness has become increasingly rate in today's tourism. LakeMotion are fantastic - rented us almost brand new eBikes with smiles and inside info to make each moment in the saddle, as valuable as it could possibly be.
And when - as happens in cycling - my rear derailleur got too close for comfort to the spokes (and snapped!), Bobby was there within 10 mins of my distress call - with an upgrade bike and broad smile.
So - if you're in the gorgeous surrounds of Varenna, get on your bike... and not just any bike, support these guys - they truly deserve it!
Grazie mille Bobby and Paulo!
