Sunday is Pasqua, Easter. The spring festival, in one of its many forms -- Easter, Pasqua, Pesach, etc. --, is one of the most universally celebrated holidays.  Here in Italy, every supermarket, every Autogrille, every Tabacchi shop is selling the traditional Italian Easter treats -- large hollow chocolate eggs that have a small surprise gift inside. Kinder is a well-known brand, and you can see that the gifts inside are little toys of famous characters from children's films and stories. 

Bunnies and Colomba at Carrefour in Stresa

There are also many brands and shapes of chocolate bunnies, and of course, the traditional Colomba, the spongy cake shaped like a dove, symbolic of Easter. But you know... Chocolate bunnies are as common as, well, bunnies. And I'm not really a fan of spongy cake. So what would I want to give or receive on Pasqua in Stresa? 

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One of these:

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Aren't these just stunning? I'm certain I would not even want to open them to discover what's inside. Outside is more than enough.

I'd gladly go on an Easter egg hunt for these:

So if you're here in Stresa now or will be here for Easter, and want to bring back something truly beautiful and special, take a stroll over to Gigi Bar, facing the lake across from the station. That's where I found a beautiful collection of Easter gifts. Take a look also in Jolly Bar, as well as many of the pastry shops, for their own special Easter sweets and gifts.

Gigi Bar

Corso Italia 30, 28838 Stresa