Just enough news to enjoy with your cappuccino...

In this edition we have news about swimming, signs, and spring.

The new pool at Lido Carciano should be open at the end of May, or at the latest in the first days of June. It's been some years in the planning and building, and a year of a shut down of the works due to the financial crisis, but finally the pool is ready for its inauguration. La piscina, the pool, is located at the edge of the lake near the Carciano boat station, has a panoramic view of the Borromean Islands, was designed by architetto Fabrizio Bianchetti and cost more than one million euro. No word yet on the admission fee; we'll keep you posted.

Stresa's tourist signs are becoming 'smarter'. Have you noticed the tourist signs in Stresa; the white signs strategically placed at various crossroads and junctions with arrows pointing to restaurants or other locations? Do you pay attention to them or use them to find places? A new era has begun in which there will be more reason to do so. Last week Stresa installed its very first tourist sign containing a QR Code (Quick Response Code). The sign is for the newly opened Ristorante La Lombarda, and next to the recognized fork and spoon symbol indicating it is a restaurant, there is the QR square. Using a smartphone to scan the QR square will give tourists a direct link to the La Lombarda website. It is hoped that these codes will now become common for not only other touristic locations, but for shops, pharmacies, and other services used by Stresa's own citizens, for real-time information.

This year's famous Tulip Week, at Villa Taranto, is upon us; it will be from April 18 to 25. Villa Taranto, you may recall, suffered enormous damage last year after being hit by a strange microstorm. After an entire winter of non-stop work, the gardens have opened to the public once again. The tulips, having been underground in their hibernative state, were not affected by the storm, and therefore visitors will see them in all their glory. In the Tulip Maze and along the Route of Holm Oaks one can see more than 10,000 tulips, including the rare black tulip called Queen of Night, and the imposing Big Chief tulip, which boasts and astounding 10-inch diameter. In addition, the forsythia, magnolias, camellias and other plants could also still be in bloom. The park is open every day from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm. Entrance fee is 9.50 euro. There is some parking available for buses and cars, and Taranto is a direct stop on the ferry. There is a restaurant on the premises, and a snack bar just outside. www.villataranto.it/eng


Lastly, personal news... have you seen our La Lombarda Short Let Apartments yet? We only have photos of one apartment online so far, although all four are essentially similar. There are two different floor plans; this being the plan of the 'A' flats. It was a blast getting them ready. Check out Apartment 2A on our La Lombarda website. We're very proud!