Just enough news to digest with a cup of cappuccino....

Snow is the big Stresa news this week. Not enough to disrupt services but certainly more than Stresa is used to, about 6 inches in total falling over a period of a few days. Stresiani woke up to not a White Christmas but a Bianca Epifania, a White Epiphany, on January 6. It didn't stop the La Befana witch from coming though; she made her appearance in Piazza Marconi as usual, handing out her candy (and coal sometimes) and officially ending the holiday season…

Look for Stresa on RAI Uno on January 17 when the Italian TV series Easy Rider airs a segment filmed on Lago Maggiore in December. In this episode traveling stars Ilaria Moscato and Marcellino Mariucci visit some of the most enchanting locations around and in Lago Maggiore, taking the ferry from Laveno, making stops at the Borromean Islands and in Stresa….

There’s a new restaurant that I can’t wait to try. All'Osteria celebrated its grand opening last week with an open house night. The crowd had the opportunity to taste some of the regional Piemontese specialities; I heard the risotto is excellent…. All'Osteria, via S. Pietro 23, Graglia Piana di Brovello Carpugnino, Hours: 11-14, 19-23 (closed Tuesday). Price per person: about 30 €.

Poll answer: Thanks to all who answered this week’s easy poll. As 84% of you knew, Stresa in 1998 celebrated 1000 years of history. The earliest recorded mention of Stresa known so far dates from 998, and as the sign entering the city proudly reminds us, that is 1000 years of hospitably serving all who come here.