Travels » Milan & Lakes Maggiore, Como » Stresa & Lago Maggiore
Stresa
It was anomal weather this summer, and mostly it was raining during this our Italy trip. So we went to Stresa in the rain, but chose the day with less rains: according to the forecast in the afternoon weather should have been a good. ( I planned my trip so, as to be able to change order of activity in depense of weaher.) Arriving in Stresa we went to ferry station, but on the way we decided to stop for have a snack in a cafe and wait till heavy rainfall stops. We were not in hurry. It was cold also, so when after cafe we had bought rain coats we were not cold any more. In Stresa all was elegant, even rain coats were colorless transparent, so we looked not so bad .
Island Pescatori
Equip ourselves with rain coat, we came to ferry station to get Boromeo islands. We would like to visit Isola Bella and Isola Madre (islands Bella and Madre, Isola Bella — ‘beautiful island’ and sounds like Isabella for which the island was presented ). But we were told that Isola Madre is a private island and it is no routs to there, and we were invited to get to Isola Pescatori and then from there to Isola Bella. So we had to stay on Isola Pescatori and wait for the boat to Isola Bella. But we were not in hurry. We had no time to explore the island or to eat fresh fish, so we stay on the beach. As it turns out later, we came to not that ferry station: there boats leave to Islands only with groups (as enough people were gathered). There was another Stresa port, with traditional navigation on the lake, and we could visit Isola Madre too. …Isola Pescatori, video with sound- live video:
Isola Bella
So we came to Isola Bella, it was raining yet so at the first we went to explore the palace. The palace was stunning, just not less then the garden, when we had seen the garden too. The palace was fabulous continuation of the garden. Whole Isola Bella complex was like miracle fairy tale.
Mottarone
After Isola Bella we went to mount Mottarone cableway. Perhaps thanks no so good weather we hadn’t to wait our turn to get in the cable car. May be it was too late. When we got up, at last the sun shined. But we had no time to walk and explore Mottarone, because it was nearly cableway close time. However we could enjoy the views and we were very glad to get up here.
Coming back
On coming back we walked along the luxurious hotels and the spending gardens and enjoyed views in the sunshine. It was festive, brightly and luxury atmosphere. I wood like to stay here for a several days to walk at Mottarone, to visit Isola Madre and villa Pallavicino, to enjoy lake views walking along the lake on Stresa promenade. But there is an important nuance: the street with intensive traffic goes along Stresa promenade and all its beauties. So it’s no quiet place to meditative relax. But at night life becomes peaceful and there is complete silence till early morning everywhere and where the street goes. However it is noble resort and it is just already reason why is worth to stay at Stresa.(
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You can look useful touristic info and accommodation in Milan in an article
What to see & where to stay at Stresa
It was the second day of my Ilaly travel to Milan and lakes Maggiore and Como. Read further:
3-d day. Museums and Sempione
or read from begining: Milan & lakes Maggiore, Como