Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Il Sole (
Click here
)
»
Ristorante Milano (
Click here
)
»
Ristorante Locanda Locarnese (
Click here
)
»
La Botte (
Click here
)
Best Places to Stay
»
Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees (
Click here
)
»
Locanda di Orta (
Click here
)
»
Caffe dell Arte (
Click here
)
»
Hotel Pironi (
Click here
)
»
Albergo Verbano (
Click here
)
3 PERFECT DAYS
Day 1: Maggiore Islands
It's worth catching a ferry (with an all-day ticket) from Stresa or Baveno to Isola Bella in order to marvel at the
baroque wealth of the Borromeo family's island pleasure palace and gardens. Once saturated by all this richness,
it's possible to transfer to Isola Superiore for lunch at one of this Fishermen's Island's restaurants. The perfect
way to complete this experience of the Borromean Islands is to enjoy an afternoon on Isola Madre. For an extra
treat, sleep on Isola Superiore.
Day 2: Lake Orta
Splendid views of the lakes and the Alps can be seen by driving, hiking or taking the funicular from the belle
époque lakeside town of Stresa to Monte Mottarone. Then it's worth heading down the other side to enchanting
little Lake Orta and its star village, Orta San Giulio, a quintessential romantic spot and the perfect base for local
exploration, in particular of Isola San Giulio and the
sacro monte
(holy mountain).
Day 3: Northern Mountains
It's possible to enjoy a string of mountain valley villages by catching a train in Stresa bound for Domodossola,
which is the starting point for the scenic Centovalli railway trip through mountain valley villages to Locarno in
Switzerland. You can then explore this elegant film-festival town and its pretty lakeside neighbour, Ascona, for
the rest of the day. From there you can head south, back over the Italian border, to reach captivating Cannobio,
one of the most enticing villages on Lake Maggiore.
TOP OF CHAPTER
