Time to travel a little further afield - down the lake to Arona!  My FB sources claimed it was a cute town so at 9am I hopped on the ferry to see it for myself. One of the ferry stops was the 12thC hermitage of Sta Caterina perched above the lake It was a 1h15m … Continue reading Italy Day 4: Arona

One of Stresa’s grand hotels on the waterfront Looking to stretch my legs, I decided to follow an “easy walk thru charming villages” up the hill towards Mount Mottarone suggested by my town map. I gave it 4 miles, to just above the town of Levo, then turned around. It was steep (as always) up … Continue reading Italy Day 3: Stresa

Stresa anchors the western end of beautiful Lake Maggiore.  I spent the day on its waters visiting first the gardens at Villa Taranto, then 2 of the Borromeo Islands close to Stresa. Early bird beats the crowds! A leisurely hour’s ride on a ferry brought me to Verbania, and the 20 hectares garden: Villa Taranto.  A … Continue reading Italy Day 2: Lake Maggiore

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 … Continue reading Italy Day 1: Stresa