Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the Alpino midstation (803m), more than 1000 Alpine and sub-Alpine species flour-
ish in the
Giardino Botanico Alpinia
( 0323 3 02 95;
www.giardinoalpinia.it/info.htm
;
adult/child
€3/2.50; 9.30am-6pm Apr-Oct)
, a botanical garden dating from 1934.
The mountain itself offers good biking trails as well as walking opportunities.
Bicicò
(
0340 357 21 89;
www.bicico.it
;
half-/full-day rental €23/28, half-/full-day guide €80/150;
9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-5.30pm)
rents out mountain bikes at the Stresa cable-car station. Rates
include a helmet and road book detailing panoramic descents (accessible to pretty much
anyone who can ride a bike) from the top of Mottarone back to Stresa. A one-way trip
with a bike on the cable car to Alpino/Mottarone costs €9/12.
LAGO MAGGIORE EXPRESS
The
Lago Maggiore Express
(
www.lagomaggioreexpress.com
; adult/child 1-day pass €32/16, 2-day
€42/21) is a picturesque day trip you can do under your own steam. It includes train travel from Arona
or Stresa to Domodossola, from where you get the charming Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) train to Lo-
carno in Switzerland and a ferry back to Stresa. The two-day version is better value if you have the
time. Tickets are available from the Navigazione Lago Maggiore ticket booths at each port.
Sleeping & Eating
There are some 40 campgrounds up and down the lake's western shore; the tourist office
has a list. Seasonal closings (including hotels) are generally November to February, but
this can vary, so it's always best to check ahead.
Hotel Elena
( 0323 3 10 43;
www.hotelelena.com
; Piazza Cadorna 15, Stresa; s/d €60/85; )
Adjoining a cafe,
the old-fashioned Elena is slap-bang on Stresa's central pedestrian square. Wheelchair ac-
cess is available, and all of Elena's comfortable rooms, with parquet floors, have a bal-
cony, many overlooking the square.
HOTEL
€
Casa Kinka
( 0323 3 24 43;
www.casakinka.it
;
Strada Comunale Lombartino 21, Magognino; s/d €90/130; Mar-
Oct; )
This lovely B&B is set on a rise high above Stresa, about 6km out of town.
The friendly owners have two comfortable rooms. You can sit back on a sun lounger on
B&B
€€
