I've received a few mails recently asking about where to eat breakfast in Stresa:

"Do you know if there are places in Stresa where I can have breakfast? I am considering to book a hotel without breakfast. I couldn't find any address of a cafeteria there."

"We're staying in a place w/o breakfast - can you suggest some great places for breakfast?"

There is no cafeteria-style restaurant in Stresa. There is no Starbucks, and no McDonalds. The restaurants around the piazza and along the lake, although open early in the morning, for the most part do not serve a 'breakfast', if your idea of breakfast is ham and eggs, pancakes, or cereals. They do, however, all offer the traditional Italian breakfast, colazione, of a cappuccino and a brioche. And of course you should have that. But, what can you do if you are used to, or want, or need, a bit more in the morning? Here are five ways to get your morning meal in Stresa:   (   continued ....  )

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Luca, one of the two piccioni, pigeons, at Trattoria Due Piccioni, told us that on rainy nights he is always even more busy than usual. This is because tourists and locals alike come to him when rain prevents them from sitting outside to eat. Coincidentally only, it was raining when we recently ate there, and the main restaurant was completely filled. We sat instead in the small, intimate, reception area in which there are only three tables set up. It was like being in a tiny private inn. The main dining room, by contrast, is a mix of traditional design and contemporary touches. For traditional there is a high brick arch supporting the center of the room and old wooden beams on one part of the ceiling. To modernize, the beams are balanced with wide, horizontal taupe stripes along the wall, and tiny twinkling lights add a bit of romance here and there. In sum, it has a light, spacious, and casually elegant feel.   ( Continued .... )

Look at this charming shop! This is Erboristeria, located in Piazza Cadorna. As the name implies, they specialize in herbal and aromatic items, all intended to improve health and spirit. I noticed these items on display on the table outside the entrance. A collection of Acqua Isola Bella, Acqua Isola Madre, and Acqua Isola dei Pescatori fragrances, candles, and other items, each with a special scent invocative of the island.  ( continued ----  )

Stresa is no stranger to rainbows, arcobaleni.  Spotted this one a few days ago, covering the sky from end to end. Bellissimo...

What I'm drinking today is a different version of the classic Spritz. This is a Campari Spritz, made with 3 cl. Campari, 7cl. of Prosecco, a splash of soda, and a slice of orange. I'm drinking it at Estremadura, an adorable little bar in Suna, Verbania, directly facing the lake. 

Still thirsty? Here are some other aperitivo spots.

Distretto has just announced that they are running buses up to the Cascata del Toce for the opening night event of the World Championship of Fireworks. This is the third consecutive year the service will be offered, making this otherwise rather remote location accessible to many more people.

You can take the bus from many different towns: Dormelletto, Arona, Stresa, Baveno, Feriolo, Gravellona, Ornavasso, Villadossola, Domodossola, Crodo, Baceno, or Premia, and then arriving at the falls.