Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Levanto to Stresa, Italian Lakes

14-15 October 2009

Relatively low stress trip from Levanto to the Italian Lakes other than a bit of a mad dash at the enormous Milano railway station from platform 21 to platform 2. We needn’t have worried though – Italian trains so far have been on the dot, and 25 minutes was more than enough time to make the connection.

Stresa is a small, pretty town on Lake Maggiore, with mountains all around and the three little islands of Isola Bella, Superiore and Madre close by. Bella and Madre have magnificent palaces and gardens, complete with pure white peacocks; while Superiore is a tiny fishing village – now largely tourist-focused, but still with the narrow winding lanes and fishing nets and dinghies strewn on the beach.




Had a different perspective on the lake from the cable car and chairlift up to Mt Mottarone, at 1400m. The weather has finally turned cold, dropping from about 22° in the day time to about 12° even though it’s still, sunny and perfectly clear. So the air was icy but the views over Lake Maggiore and the Italian and Swiss Alps were magnificent.




4 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like you are having a fanatstic time, really enjoying your blog. Hope all is well, luv Melissa

coulwoody said...

Hi Melissa, glad you're enjoying it - I'm having fun writing it up too. Never managed to get round to writing a travel diary before, so I've surprised myself. Hope all is well at your end too. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon now - we're leaving Florence for the Amalfi Coast in the morning, and then a few days in Rome before heading home this time next week. Can't believe how fast it's gone. Take care, all our love, Leanne and Col

Anonymous said...

Bec and Mark are coming over for an impromptu bbq tomorow night, just received text back from her. We are going to compare Fiji photos. She might actually have some outside the Resort :) Looking forward to catching up with her. Take care and enjoy your wanderings...oops I mean travels LOL Having family get-together on 14th Nov for Ben & Lara B'day and photo exchange. Will remind you again when you get home. Bye for now, Love to you both, Melissa

Anonymous said...

thanks for the phone call the other night, it was great to hear from you and your very relaxed voices! At first we thought you were an INdian Call centre but good luck was on our side, LOL. Anyway enjoy the last week can't wait to hear all about it on 14th if not before, love from MElissa