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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Tours: Three Different Day Trips To Switzerland

A reader asks:

Are there any side trips to Switzerland from Stresa? It appears quite close on the map. Would our passports be enough to enter there?

And the answer is, Yes! Switzerland is close indeed, about 30 minutes by car to the Sempione Pass to the north or about an hour to Locarno by car along the lake. But if you don't have a car, or if you want the convenience of relaxing with an organized tour, here are three excellent options for seeing Svizzera, one by train, one by boat, and one by bus.

By Bus
Tomasucci Travel in Stresa runs their Zermatt/Matterhorn tour each Monday:

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

The Ossola Valley winds its way gracefully up towards the Alps and away from Lake Maggiore,Stresa, Lake Maggiore Excursions, Zermatt and the Matterhorn leading you to the famous Simplon Pass. At the highest point of the Pass, the Belvedere View Point, there are unbeatable 360° panoramic views of the Swiss and Italian Alps. Onwards and upwards through Brig (with its Stockalper castle), Visp and along the Matter Valley leading you further into the heart of the Alps.

Stresa, Lake Maggiore Excursions, ZermattStresa, Lake Maggiore Excursions, ZermattAt Taesch you will take the rack and pinion railway up to Zermatt itself. Situated at 5,315ft above sea level, Zermatt is surrounded by some of the most famous peaks in the Alps: the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Gornergrat and no less than twelve “4,000’s” – peaks over 4,000m.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Water Taxis


A typical water taxi.

Although the Navigazione Laghi ferry system is efficient, inexpensive, and easy, there are times when you might need or want to take a water taxi to or from Stresa. These times may include:

Going to or returning from a dinner on Isola Bella or Isola dei Pescatori, after ferry hours.

Traveling with a group large enough to make a water taxi more cost-effective and fun.

Wanting to visit locations not on normal ferry routes.

Personalized, romantic sunset journeys.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Gardens: Giardino d'Amore

Isola Bella was designed to look a bit like a large ship... can you see it?


Ah, l'amore... Because it's Valentine's Day, let's visit the Giardino d'Amore, the Garden of Love, at the Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella. This particular area is found on the fifth tier of the famous ten-tiered garden. If you have not visited the gardens yet then maybe a little background is in order. The Borromeo gardens are considered one of the finest examples of Italianate Baroque landscaping. What does this mean? As opposed to our modern concept of gardens and parks consisting of open lawns and terrains of natural hills, the idea in the 17th century was to create a completely manmade work of art from the earth. Therefore it was shaped, molded, dug out and piled up. Natural elements were used as materials, and plants were often kept trimmed and coerced into elaborate shapes. We still see some topiaries and planned gardens today, but back then, they ruled...

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Milan: How To Get Tickets To View Da Vinci's Last Supper


Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, is one of the top attractions in Milan, yet many tourists go home without having seen it, disappointed because they did make the proper preparations in advance. Here’s what you need to know about the painting, its location, and how to obtain tickets, so that you can be one of the lucky ones who returns home satisfied.

Although the painting (called L'ultima cena, or, Il Cenacolo in Italian) itself is instantly recognizable, many people may not know that its location is quite simple, small, and unassuming. Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church and Dominican convent in central Milan, commissioned in the late 1400s by the dukes of the Sforza family. The Last Supper, which Da Vinci painted for them and finished in 1498, covers the back wall of the convent’s dining hall.
Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milano, inside of which is the Last Supper.


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Outdoor Activities: Cycling the Fondotoce Trail

Along the Fondotoce/Mergozzo trail


You want to do some bicycle riding while you're in Stresa. But you're nervous about riding on the narrow, shoulderless roads. Or you don't want to attempt the downhill mountain trails. Then read on, this one's for you! Andrea, Stresa's 'go to' cycling guy, has sent me a couple of videos of one of his most popular bicycle tours. This one is great for those who don't have a lot of cycling experience, who don't want anything too strenuous or too long; it's even great for older children.

The path begins in Fondotoce at the Isolino camping compound and ends in Mergozzo. (If you're new to this blog search and see how much we LOVE Mergozzo!) To begin the path in Fondotoce you can ride there (about 20 minutes from Stresa on bike and yes, along the main road), or perhaps be transported to the starting point. But from this point on the path is completely offroad and mostly flat, traveling along the bank of Lago Mergozzo all the way to the small town of Mergozzo at the top of the lake. When you reach Mergozzo take a break at the birreria or one of the other spots for a short time before returning to Fondotoce. This giro, trip, traveling at a slow pace and stopping now and then for a photo, should take about two hours roundtrip to Fondotoce, about three hours roundtrip in beginning and ending in Stresa.

Ready? Let's go! Here's a short video Andrea took of this path:



Whether you want to do this as an organized tour, or on your own, Andrea or anyone at Bicico can help you with all of the information and rent you all the supplies that you need. Although not required by law, Bicico insists that you wear a helmet and they will supply you with a proper fitting one. And Bicico can help you plan almost any outdoor activity here that you desire. They are highly reliable, professional, and fun and I strongly recommend them... an outing with them will become a highlight of your vacation.

Want to get to know Andrea a bit before you head out on the trail with him? Here's our
tre domande, three question interview with him:

Tre Domande With Andrea


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STRESA SIGHTS by DANA KAPLAN

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