I had a few hours before my train from Martigny, Switzerland to Stresa, Italy so I visited the Foundation Pierre Gianadda museum. I’ve seen posters all over the TMB advertising their Rembrandt to Van Gogh show so I thought it might be interesting.  What a pleasant surprise.  The art was good, a selection from the Hammer Collection including the aforementioned artists. 

It also had an interesting display of Roman artifacts discovered locally, a room devoted to Tin Tin; and, as I was descending lower in the museum I thought “I don’t like this, there’s a funny smell” and I walked into an incredible collection of 42 classic cars from 1897 – 1930’s!  I had no idea how massive these old cars were, in height, length and girth! 

Thinking I’d seen it all, I looked out a glass door a man was cleaning to discover a large tranquil sculpture garden, a quiet cafe, excavated Roman walls, and another building housing a photo exhibition + a Da Vinci display of copies of his drawings, a few original notebooks (!), and mini models of his inventions.

And behind the museum?….a Roman amphitheater!  There’s more to Martigny than I have time to discover.

My hotel’s checkout was 11am so I had a leisurely walk to the station for my 12pm train. The day was of an absolute perfect temperature so I window-shopped and gazed and spent the last of my francs on lunch for the journey ahead.

Train, bus and taxi to arrive in Stresa, a charming Italian town on the shores of Lake Garda.   I can’t wait to explore all the little alleyways and shops & cafes. 

I’m definitely going to have to up my fashion game tomorrow. The locals and even tourists were most stylishly dressed. I wonder if I can pull off hiker chic….

And my apartment! I certainly scored here:

A domani!