Tag Archives: Lake Maggiore

Stresa – Lago Maggiore

02 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Stresa

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Often when I think about a village or town I have visited in Italy, I think, that one is my favourite.  I have come realise that I have so many favourites. How does one really pick a favourite when Italy is full of the most amazing and beautiful places?

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The last time I was in Italy I returned to a very beautiful town, Stresa.  I had visited Stresa several years earlier and promised myself then that one day I would return.

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Stresa is situated on Italy’s second largest lake, Lago Maggiore, which has 11 islands, the most famous being the Borromean Islands which includes the very unique Isola Bella.

Stresa is an easy train trip from Milan. Its main train station is well positioned close to most hotels and not far from the lake. It is just a short taxi ride, however it is also an easy walk.  While we were there, we took the train into Milan just for the day starting off with a short walk from our hotel. When we left Stresa, we took the luxury comfortable shuttle coach directly to the international airport in Milan.

We had 8 magic days in Stresa, staying at La Fontana hotel which is right by the lake with stunning views towards the islands.

Each day, and often twice a day, we walked in to the township of Stresa. Walking along the lakefront promenade is a perfect way to start any day and a delightful way to end a day.

 

Come for a walk with me along the promenade. Here are some of the many sights you will see. Many of these stunningly grand hotels were built in the early 1900’s.

 

While staying in Stresa, we took the local public ferry boat to many of the other towns on the lake plus we visited 3 of the Borromean Islands . Such a pleasant way to travel. Each town we visited was only a short distance.

It is so very easy to get around in Stresa. The roads are wide making driving a breeze and there is plenty of parking which is also available in the hotels.

Of course if you are up to it, just put on those walking shoes and take in the exquisite beauty of Stresa on Lago Maggiore. You will not be disappointed.

Old castle with amazing views in Angera

12 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in Lake Maggiore, Rocca Borromeo of Angera

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The walk up the hill to the castle, Rocca Borromeo of Angera, is quite long and takes about 25 minutes but well worth the effort, so take it slowly.  Bring a hat and water as there is not much shade and it gets very warm.  I do believe that you can take a taxi up to the castle from the township if you would rather not walk.

The Rocca Borromeo of Angera is a fortified building located in the town of Angera (Varese), on the southern shores of Lake Maggiore in Lombardy. This is one of the best preserved castles of Lombardy. The ancient castle tower dates back to the 13th century; the view of the lake and the hinterland from here is absolutely charming.

The castle is well-kept, an interesting building with impressive walls and beautiful gardens and magnificent views.  If you go on a clear day you can see the Alps across the lake.

La Rocca includes botanical, medievil, vegetable, herb and fruit tree gardens and vineyards which are a pleasure to stroll through.

The castle is perfectly maintained, and therefore unique. Inside the fortress,  you can see examples of press medieval plows and troughs.  Further inside, the castle houses a doll museum, unique in Italy and among the most prestigious in Europe and well-known by collectors Europe wide. There are not just dolls but also games for boys, table lamps, music boxes, and much more. For  the average visitor it is just a nice little add-on to the visit as seeing the exhibition leads you through the whole castle. The old dolls and toys are fascinating – and some were downright weird. You really have to see it to believe it.  No matter what your interests are, you will be amazed by this castle and its wonderful museum.

Be sure to go right to the top of the fortress for the best views, climbing up the various ladders from the Hall of Justice where the excellent frescoes are.

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After we had spent a couple of hours in the castle and the doll museum we visited the gardens.  Take some time to wander round the gardens and then enjoy the stroll downhill back to the town. There is a cafe and small shop at the fortress, but there are lots of cafes back at lake level.

All in all an excellent way to spend a few hours.

Angera- another lovely find on Lago Maggiore

29 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by in Angera, Lake Maggiore

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Just a short 30 minute boat trip from Stresa is the beautiful Angera.  We actually took the hydrofoil which was a little quicker than the ferry. This resort centre is situated at the south end of Lago Maggiore and sits right on the lakefront.  There is the ancient castle of the Borromea with a domineering position offering a great view over the whole lake and landscape.

We had planned to spend an hour or so here, stop for a coffee and then continue on the next ferry or hydrofoil to explore other parts of beautiful Lago Maggiore.  Well that plan was out the window very quickly as once we stepped foot here we knew that it would be hours before we left.

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We headed off on foot to explore.  Walking was very easy with so much to see from the Rocco Borremo to Italy’s first  museum.

We strolled along the shady waterfront which is speckled with villas and old fishing families’ houses and there are good views across the water to Arona.

Not far from the ferry terminal was a set of shops, cafes and restaurants where we eventually stopped for a lunch of classical local dishes.

Before lunch we did in fact climb the hill to the fort but that is worthy of its own story another time. This is quite a long steep climb and probably not recommended for anyone with walking limitations.

Angera, a delightful township  on the foreshores of Lake Maggiore and a lovely place to spend time.

Peaceful and Lovely on the Lake – Santa Caterina del Sasso

09 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Lake Maggiore, Santa Caterina del Sasso

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Another great day out for us was an afternoon visit to Santa Caterina del Sasso.  The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, perched on its “balcony” overlooking the Borromeo Gulf, is one of the most intriguing historical sites on Lake Maggiore

The ferry trip from Stresa to Santa Caterina is only about 15 minutes but on this particular occasion we took the hydrofoil which was only about a 6 minute trip. As with all of the boat trips we had on Lago Maggiore, it was an interesting easy trip with the spectacular scenery along the way.

You can also reach the Hermitage by car, there is plenty of free parking up the top and then there are about 240 steps to walk down to the entrance of the hermitage or you can take the elevator.

We had spotted the hermitage while taking boat trips to other parts of Lago Maggiore and we were fascinated by what we could see from the lake but we sure were not prepared for the actual visit.  This 12th Century Hermitage is a very peaceful and inspirational place perched on a rocky ridge. The buildings are all very well-preserved.
The hermitage was founded by the wealthy merchant, Alberto Besozzi in 1170. Whilst he was out in his boat one evening he was caught up in a storm and his boat capsized. He prayed to St Catherine to be saved and that if his prayers were answered, he would give all his money to the poor and retire to live as a hermit. His prayers were answered and so he went to live in a cave as a hermit. In 1195 he built a tiny, isolated church in recognition of his deliverance. The present buildings date from the late 13th – early 14th centuries. The Hermitage comprises three buildings: the southern convent, the small convent, and the church.

In recent years a modern elevator has been installed which allows the elderly or disabled to access the hermitage from the top or up to the road where there is a restaurant.  The new lift, which can carry up to 12 people, is a real jewel of engineering. In fact, the space race was achieved by digging a well in the rock 6 feet in diameter, 51 meters deep and well-connected in a horizontal tunnel exit to the areas below 45 meters long which opens onto a panoramic view of Lake Maggiore.

The Hermitage is beautifully restored. You can see some common areas facing the lake, and a part of the church, with very old frescoes. If you are lucky enough you can hear prayers and singing of hymns.

This wine and olive press also has its own story.

Wine and Olive Press

It is beautiful, peaceful and the panorama from the Hermitage to the lake is exceptional.

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This is another wonderful excursion for you when staying on Lago Maggiore.

Pure Beauty – Lago Maggiore

12 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by in Cable Car Stresa - Alpina - Mottarone, Lake Maggiore

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Within about a 10 minute walk from our hotel,  La Fontana Hotel in Stresa, is the Stresa- Mottarone Cable car.  We headed off on foot just after breakfast to take the 9.30 cable car which departs from the Piazzale Lido Station and goes up the side of Mount Mottrarone.  The ride took about 20 minutes each way and gave us a fabulous bird’s-eye view of Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Islands, the Po Valley, and the Alps

Once we reached the station at the top, we then took the chair lift up to the 4,895-foot summit.

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The cable car runs every 20 minutes everyday during the summer from 09.30 to 17.40  with an hour break for lunch.

The cable car ride is about 20 minutes followed by a chair lift to the top of the mountain however you can walk from the cable car station at the top to the summit which will take another 15 minutes. If you are fit, you can walk all the way and if you miss the last cable car for the day you will need to walk back down.

The views in June were spectacularly clear with all the lakes visible from that height. Snow was still on the high alps. The towns in the valley are also clearly visible. What a vista!

From the summit you can see 7 lakes. Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Varese, Lake Comabbio, Lake Monate and Lake Biandronno

The cable car has a mid station at Alpino where you can alight and take a mainly flat pleasant walk to visit the Alpine Gardens. Once again, the scenery along the way is gorgeous.  The gardens cover an area of approximately 40,000m2  with wonderful panoramic views.  The Alpine gardens are well worth a visit They were a welcome break for us.

The Alpine Gardens are 300m from the Alpino mid-way station and are open everyday April to October.  Adults costs € 4 and children 4-12 years cost € 3.

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After spending a delightful hour or so in the gardens we then found a great little restaurant close to the cable car station and enjoyed some lovely local cooking.

If you love nature, walking and enjoy beautiful views, or you are just looking to relax, take a trip up the mountain in the cable car.

Baveno – Lago Maggiore

17 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in Baveno - Lago Maggiore

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While we were staying in Stresa, every day was an adventure as there was just so much to see and do. Certainly much more to do than we had time for. Possibly to stay a few months would give us the opportunity to see it all but that is not realistic so we made sure that every post was a winner for us in the time that we were there.

As you know from travelling, every now and then you need a “chill day” where you get a chance to catch your breath but you also know that you still want to get out and see more. So on these special “chill” days we chose to explore places that were close to “home”, easy to get to and yet still great.

On this particular “chill” day, our choice was to visit the lovely village of Baveno.

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Once again, we travelled by ferry-boat up the lake to Baveno.

Here are some of the lovely sights along the way.

It was a cool, overcast  and slightly rainy day but still delightful. Baveno is a small lakeside town situated on the most panoramic point of Lake Maggiore and just a couple of miles from Stresa.

The town has a pleasant promenade and plenty of bars where you can sit out by the lake and enjoy a drink or an ice-cream and take in  the beautiful view of the Borromeo Islands in front.

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The town itself is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and the highlight is the little 16th century square which has wonderful Stations of the Cross, the Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio and a small octagonal baptistery.

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Baveno is famous for Baveno Pink Granite. The Vittorio Emanuele Galleria in Milan is built with Baveno Pink Granite. So are the columns of the Paris Opera House, the Church of St. Charles in Vienna, and the statue of Christopher Columbus in New York City. Many other well-known landmarks around the globe in fact, have chosen this granite, because of its distinctive appearance and colour.

The walk way along the lake in Baveno is paved with pink granite from Baveno.

Photo courtesy of Stesa Sights

Photo courtesy of Stresa Sights

We visited the Baveno Travel agency / local information office which is right by the ferry terminal, where we met and chatted with the owner about Baveno. She was very helpful and delightful. She told us about an Australian lady who bought an apartment in Baveno a few years ago who now visits Baveno and stays in her apartment every year for a few months. I was only a “little” envious.

The airport shuttle coach which we took from Stresa also travels from Baveno to the Milano airport regularly, only taking about an hour which makes it just so easy to visit this lovely village.

Boat Trip to Verbania – Open Air markets at Intra

09 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Boat Trip to Verbania – Open Air markets at Intra, Lake Maggiore

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This was another fabulous day out on Lake Maggiore. We took the ferry-boat from Stresa to Verbania/Intra which only took about 35/40 minutes. As always when travelling on Lake Maggiore the scenery was stunning including these beautiful villas along the way.

 

Verbania is a city and commune on the shore of Lake Maggiore, about 91 km (57 mi) north-west of Milan and about 40 km (25 mi) from Locarno in Switzerland. Verbania is another “garden” on the lake with its many magical gardens and breathtaking landscape.

The little town of Intra, in a beautiful situation on the Borromean Gulf, is part of the municipality of Verbania

This is where the open air markets happen each Saturday. The all-day market is near the ferry dock in Intra, which makes it an easy walk of a few minutes into the markets from the ferry. We learned about these markets at our hotel and by all accounts are very popular, attracting locals, tourists in the area and also visitors from Switzerland. It is a great atmosphere and very entertaining.

I have been to many many open air, street markets, in Italy but this is by far the best I have visited. The list of products one can buy at these markets is endless from top quality, fashionable shoes, clothing, handbags to the very reasonably priced items. Just about everyone’s taste could be satisfied with something for everyone.

The local produce is in abundance including local cheeses, meats, breads, dolce, dried fruits, fresh fruit and vegetables etc.  We did not stop for lunch so we munched on some lovely treats while wandering around. We were at these markets for over 3 hours but did not get to see them all as they are so large with many stalls.

This is the best selection of hand-made dolce that I have ever laid my eyes on. How do you choose? I just said, I will have one of this this this this etc and walked away with a nice size bag of assorted dolce and a big smile. I enjoyed these delightful dolce (sweets) over the next few days. Take a look at the size of the loaf of fresh bread that the man is starting to cut.

 

After we left the markets we took a stroll around this pleasant little town with its cafes and variety of little shops and stopped for coffee in the main piazza.

There is so much to see and do in this lovely area of Verbania. I must return one day.

One Perfect Day – Island Hopping

03 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, One Perfect Day

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This was our day to take the boat to 3 of the islands in Lago Maggiore.  We were blessed with the perfect weather. Blue blue skies and crystal clear water.

Lake Maggiore is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps.  It is the second largest lake in Italy  The lake and its shoreline are divided between Piedmont and Lombardy region and the largest lake of the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.

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Firstly we cruised out to Isola Madre where we stayed for about 2 hours. We paid to visit the gardens and the palace which were well worth every cent. I have been to many palaces in Italy over the years but I am always impressed by the size of the rooms, the paintings, the frescos, the artwork and the beauty.

Isola Madre is part of the Borromean archipelago and home to an exotic garden of plants, birds and flowers, this magical island is considered a botanical garden on water.  These botanical gardens are beautifully designed. Isola Madre is all gardens so you must pay to enter the gardens and the villa.

Isolo Madre is a beautiful island  with  a XVI Century palace, Borromea, which is surrounded by an enchanting English style garden. You will also see white and standard peacocks everywhere in these gardens.  We enjoyed exploring this  stunning palace with its unique  theatre rooms with  old classic marionettes, which are set out on stages with special effects

We stopped for coffee at this lovely outdoor café before hopping back on to the boat and heading over to Isola dei Pescatori.

Isola dei Pescatori (island of the fishermen) was such a lovely surprise to me as I was not expecting it to be just so beautiful. There are lots of restaurants and great shopping.  It is the only one to be inhabited all year round. Unlike Isola Bella and Isola Madre, the island no longer belongs to the Borromeo.  While the traditional occupation of fishing still exists—local restaurants providing a ready market for the fish—tourism has become central to the economic life of the island as its picturesque charms have made Isola dei Pescatori a popular destination, particularly for day-trippers, but also for more extended visits. In addition to the hotel(s), restaurants and gift-shops, there are boutiques selling craft products.

We stopped for lunch at this lovely restaurant on the lake’s edge.

This lovely old tree on Isola dei Pescatori is a 200-year-old wisteria.

200yr old wisteria

After a couple of wonderful hours on this gorgeous island, one could easily spend much more time here, we hopped back on to a boat and headed for Isola Bella.

Isola Bella is one of the three magical islands on Lake Maggiore and possibly the most popular.  Isola Bella charms visitors with its magnificent Baroque palace and terraced gardens that slope to the lake.

 

The belle epoc palace is one thing but the over-the-top gardens are just stunning.  I loved everything about the gardens and have visited a couple of times over the years. The setting, the flowers, the designs and the views come together to make a uniquely beautiful garden

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After another couple of amazing hours on this lovely island we hopped back on to the boat and made our way back to Stresa feeling very happy after One Perfect Day.

All three of these islands deserve their own stories which I will do one day.

La Fontana – Stresa

27 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in La Fontana, Stresa

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I don’t normally write about hotels that I stay in but this time I make an exception to my rule.

After a long full day of travel by train  from La Spezia near the Cinque Terre to Stresa, via Milano, we were all tired and hot.

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We arrived at La Fontana and were greeted as if we were friends returning.

Signore Giuselle greeted and welcomed us warmly and offered us a nice cold drink. A cold glass or 2 of Prosecco. Perfecto.  While we sat in the cozy and comfortable sitting room enjoying our nice cold drinks he took our passports, checked us in and did all the necessary paperwork without interrupting us from our prosecco.

 

La Fontana is a family run hotel on the foreshores of Lago (lake) Maggiore with stunning views and easy access to anywhere.

We found that nothing was too much trouble for the owners. Each and every morning we were personally greeted with “Buongiorno” as we went in to breakfast which was always, fresh with an excellent selection.

As we headed out each day, we were always wished  “have a lovely day” and asked if there was anything we needed. Speaking of, any tourist information that we required for our trips was always readily available. It was good helpful information, in fact, better than we were able to get from the tourist office.

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I am always sad when I leave Italy but leaving Stresa was a different kind of sad, this time I felt like I was leaving home.

It is less than an hour by shuttle coach from Stresa to Malpensa airport, Milano. Very easy.

Lakes, Mountains, Beautiful – Stresa

14 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by in Stresa

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Several years ago on a coach tour I visited Lake Maggiore and stayed in Stresa. I remember thinking to myself then I would love to return to  this magical place and stay. Well here I am, I have returned and it is even more lovely than I remembered.

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I sit here at my hotel room  window and look out over the lake and the mountains. The view takes my breath away. The weather is perfect and everything just looks so lush and alive.

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We arrived here only 3 days ago and already we have seen and done so much.

Our hotel, La Fontana is quite close to the city centre so it is an easy walk. Actually it is an easy walk and a beautiful walk. We walk along the foreshores of the lake through stunning parks, past fabulous restaurants and bars and look up to some of the most beautiful hotels I have seen.

La Fontana is a delightful family owned and run hotel so being here almost feels like home.

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After our time in Cinque Terre, where everything is so small and space is at a premium, Stresa is the complete opposite. Everything here is large and open with so much space around. Even the cars are bigger here. Parking is easy and plentiful.

We walk into the town centre after breakfast each day as this is usually where we leave from for our day trips. Here are some of the sights we see on our walk.

 

After a full day out, we come back to the hotel and usually enjoy a nice cold beer in the hotel bar down stairs and chat with the owner Giuseppe.

Then we shower and get ready to head off in to town again.  The main piazza in the town is always alive with activities, offering many choices of places to eat with lots of restaurants and bars. There are also many lovely stores. Last night there was live entertainment in the piazza, beautiful organ music in the church and jazz being played by the lake. We wandered from one to the other and enjoyed a wonderful evening.

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