Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAKE MAGGIORE EAST BANK
The lake's eastern shore has less to detain you than does the west, but there are still enough
worthwhile sights for at least a half-day's detour, although you'll need your own vehicle. If
you can, make it a Wednesday to coincide with Luino's weekly market.
Getting Around
BOAT
Ferries call in at all the lakeside stops mentioned. This can be slow-going but some runs are
handy, like the Stresa ferry to Santa Caterina del Sasso and the car ferry linking Laveno
with Verbania-Intra (on the western shore).
BUS
Local buses shuttle up and down the east bank of the lake. For Santa Caterina del Sasso,
jump on one of the buses running between Laveno and Ispra.
CAR
The A26 tollway from Milan arrives at the south end of Lake Maggiore at Sesto Calende.
From there you exit and follow the S north (it becomes the SS394 at Luino).
TRAIN
Trains from Milan serve the east shore of Lake Maggiore. FNM trains from Milan (Cador-
na station) arrive in Laveno via Varese.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Vira
POP 680
In the hills above Vira, about 8km on the Swiss side of the border and 16.5km southeast of
Locarno spread the gardens of the
Parco Botanico del Gambarogno
( 091 795 18 66;
www.parcobotanico.ch
;
admission Sfr5; 8am-6pm)
. Hundreds of types of azalea, camellia, magno-
lia, rhododendron and other spring and summer flowers fill the air with their vivid colours
and heady perfumes. Simply wander in at any time (there seems to be no real closing time)
and pop a Sfr5 coin into the box at the entrance (it works on a trust system), then wander
around. The gardens are located at the north end of the village of Piazzogna. From Lo-
