Last summer I went shopping around the piazza in Stresa with the mission of finding good little gift ideas -- things that were relatively inexpensive and relatively small -- allowing you to buy many of them and share Stresa with as many people as possible. Here's another collection of items that I saw around the piazza that fit these same requirements:

Like these small watercolor prints... They are sold in various shops around Piazza Cadorna and the waterfront.  This particular collection were only 2 euro each. They are about 8 x 10 inches, and the scenes are all local of course, views of the lake or other local sights. This perfectly fits the requirements as a gift for someone (or yourself!) -- easy to carry, of Stresa, inexpensive. Dress these up at home with the frames of your choice.

These are a few more of the watercolor choices. I think they capture well the serenity of the lake and are a nice way to remember it.

Today I received this set of 10 photographs from Ilias, who is one of our most loyal readers. He has just completed his sixth visit to Stresa! As part of each visit they take a day trip to a different place in the Alps. This year they visited Bettmeralp, and he has been so kind to share his photos with us.

Many people who come to Stresa are interested in taking a day trip to the Alps. It's so tempting after all, to always see those snow-capped mountains around the lake and know they are so close. Also the Stresiani leave Stresa during the hottest parts of the summer and escape to the higher and cooler towns in the Italian or Swiss Alps.

Stresa Sights readers always ask very good questions, and summer brings more mail and more questions than usual. Here are a few of the most recent; they all involve the train station, and they will probably be of help to many who are researching Stresa:

Two questions regarding the Lago Maggiore Express:

A:  Here's some information that I hope answers the Lago Maggiore Express questions that many have. The Lago Maggiore Express is basically a loop created from already existing modes of transportation: The normal regional train to Domodossola; the Centovalle (Hundred Valley) railroad through the Alps (this is the panoramic train mentioned); and the boat that you'll take on Lago Maggiore. The Express trip can be done in either direction; and from any point along the loop; just be sure to make connections at the right times. Therefore, there is no starting time or point per se; what is important is to look at the schedule in terms of where you want to start and finish, and create your own itinerary. Usually people take the large ferry ship back and forth from Locarno as part of the Express trip. It is restful; it takes about 3 hours and makes several stops. I've done this and enjoyed it very much. Tickets can be bought at any of the train stations or ferry docks. Any ticket agent will be able to assist you with the times. Tickets do not need to be purchased in advance; but perhaps you may want to visit a ticket office a day or two before you make the journey, just to have the information you will need to plan well. Here's the main website: 

http://www.lagomaggioreexpress.com/Inglese/orari.html

I think this news is going to make a lot of Stresa summer visitors veeeery happy. Finally, finally there are some weekly bus trips offered to some of those places you always wanted to see but couldn't because you needed a car to get there. Organized by the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, the series is called "Amazing Tours." 

Here's the basic information: Two bus trips will run each week of the summer season, ending on September 13. The large and comfortable coach buses will pick up travelers from several towns along the lake in between Dormelletto and Fondatoce. The bus will make its stop in Stresa at 8:40 am. Each round trip ticket is an incredibly reasonable 10 euro.