If you've been hanging around with me in these months you already know that Stresa has a town market each Friday. We've discussed here how getting a roast chicken is a weekly tradition, and how much I enjoy the everchanging display of goods depending on the season, the trends, and the vendors. The market is very popular with tourists as well as locals. It's the perfect place to practice a little bit of Italian. "Quanto costa?", "How much?". "Troppo caro!", "Too expensive!" Or, "Perfetto! Voglio questa.", "Perfect! I want this." And don't forget your "Grazie, buongiorno!"

But what if you're not going to be in Stresa on a Friday? Don't despair... you don't have to miss out on the market experience. Because a market very similar to this one, even with some of the same vendors, takes place in a town nearby here each day. Vendors need to buy a permit to sell in each town. And with the markets on different days, this gives the vendors the opportunity to sell as many or as few days as they want. Here's the schedule of the market towns and the days they hold their markets:

Sunday -- Cannobio
Monday -- Baveno
Tuesday -- Arona
Wednesday -- Orta San Giulio
Thursday -- Meina and Lesa
Friday -- Stresa
Saturday -- Verbania

So don't worry if you aren't here on a Friday. There's a market waiting for you every day of the week. Or, even if you are here on a Friday, try another one as well. Perche' no!, Why not!