Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alternatively, remain landbound and explore the wild beauty of the Val Cannobino by
car or bike. The route meanders along the scenic SP75, winding its way 28km beside the
surging Torrente Cannobino stream, into the heavily wooded hills to Malesco in Valle Vi-
gezzo. Just 2.5km along the valley, in Sant'Anna, the Torrente Cannobino powerfully
forces its way through a narrow gorge known as the
Orrido di Sant'Anna
, crossed at its nar-
rowest part by a Romanesque bridge. A further 7km on, a steep 3km side road consisting
of hairpin bends leads up to the central valley's main town,
Falmenta
. Hire mountain bikes
in Cannobio from
Cicli Prezan
(
0323 7 12 30;
www.cicliprezan.it
; Viale Vittorio Veneto 9; per hr/
day €5/15;
8.30am-noon & 3-7pm Mon-Sat, 8.30pm-noon Sun)
Sleeping & Eating
Hotel Pironi
( 0323 7 06 24;
www.pironihotel.it
; Via Marconi 35, Cannobio; s €110-120, d €150-190; )
In
a 15th-century mini-monastery (later home of the noble Pironi family) high in Cannobio's
cobbled maze, Hotel Pironi is a charming choice. Behind its thickset stone walls lurks a
beautifully restored excursion into the past, with antiques sprinkled about, frescoed vaults,
exposed timber beams, stairs climbing off in odd directions, a frescoed breakfast room
and an assortment of tastefully decorated rooms, some with lake views.
HOTEL
€€
Lo Scalo
( 0323 7 14 80;
www.loscalo.com
;
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III 32, Cannobio; meals €35-45;
11.30am-2.30pm & 6-9pm Wed-Sun, 6-9pm Tue; Cannobio)
The pick of the restaurants along
the main promenade, Lo Scalo has a fine setting. The cooking is sophisticated and clean,
featuring dishes such as ribbon-thin
tagliolini
pasta with black truffles and mountain but-
ter.
MODERN ITALIAN
€€
Santa Caterina del Sasso
The monastery of
Santa Caterina del Sasso
(
www.santacaterinadelsasso.com
;
8.30am-noon &
2.30-6pm Apr-Sep, to 5pm Mar, closed weekdays Nov-Feb)
is spectacularly located at Leggiuno,
clinging to the high rocky face of the southeast shore of Lago Maggiore. It is reached by a
spiralling staircase, 267 steps from the road above and 80 steps from the lake below (there
is also a lift). Father Roberto Comolli, the only Carmelite monk who still lives here, is the
spiritual guide of the seven lay oblates of St Benedict who keep the candles lit in the fres-
