I've been getting a lot of mail recently regarding transportation. To be more precise, readers want to know how to reach Stresa from other locations on their itinerary. Here are a few recent examples:

There is a theme to these and other mails I receive. Two themes actually... The first is how many readers are concerned with needing to stop in Milan from where they are coming from in order to reach Stresa. My general answer is yes, for most arrivals from other cities in Italy (even Torino) you will need to get to the hub of Milan's large train stations. You'll make a quick and easy transfer to the train which will take you to Stresa. I don't want travelers to think of this as an inconvenience. Just the opposite, this to me is very convenient. Of course you can't get to everywhere from anywhere in a direct route. But you can get to Stresa on a comfortable train in only 35 minutes from Milan, for only a few euro, with many trains available through the day to accomodate your schedule. I hope you'll consider this and make that trip up here.

The second thing I've noticed is that usually Stresa is not the main destination for my readers, unless they are coming here for a specific business conference, or an event. More often Stresa is an add-on. A stop for a few days after arriving in Milan. Or a relaxing finish to a vacation in Italy that included some of the larger, better known sites, Florence, Rome, Venice, these places. I'm thrilled to see people adding-on Stresa, and I hope more of you consider doing so. It is indeed the perfect spot to wind down before heading back to where you live, or to adjust to the time change before starting your vacation. It is only 35 minutes from Malpensa airport in Milan and has a direct shuttle bus from the center of town directly to your terminal. Driving, should you want to, is direct and traffic is almost never a concern. So before, or after, or during, si, I want more and more of you to consider a few days here. You'll be so glad that you did!