Where Italy and Switzerland Meet Lugano, with its temperate climate, is a city with an incredible history and musical heritage. Sited on the northern shore of a crystal clear alpine lake, this is the largest Italian speaking city in Switzerland. Lago Lugano, the city that gave its name to the lake, clings to the shore [...]
Across Lago Maggiore from the western shore of the lake, you can discern the stucco and terracotta tile roofed buildings of Santa Caterina del Sasso. In the photo to the left, taken from a walkway just north of Stresa, you can see the monastery in the distance. It was during an 11th Century storm on [...]
MILAN - DO I GO? I've mixed feeling about visiting Milan. After ten visits to Da Vinci's Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie I'm not enthusiastic about all the insanity you have to go through to see, next to Michelangelo's David in Florence, the most visited work of Renaissance art in the world. Truth [...]
Isola S. GiulioLago Orta It is a dream, this island illuminated by ocher lights amidst a golden hazed sunset. Alpine born breezes carry the scent of jasmine and lemon blossoms. As if the lakes of northern Italy could hold no more surprises, you discover Lago Orta. Lago Maggiore, east of Lago Orta, is [...]
When I travel in the Lake Region, my preferred 'base' is the small Lago Maggiore village of Stresa. Strung along the western shore of the lake, it offers gorgeous views, reasonable prices and easy access to the entire lake region of Italy. For accommodation (and I have stayed at all of these hotels over the [...]
If you are looking for a relaxing and easy day in the lake region, then I heartily recommend the Lago Maggiore Express on Lake Maggiore. The trip takes the better part of a day and offers views of both the beauty of Lago Maggiore as well as the foothills of the Swiss and Italian Alps. [...]
Isola Superiore dei PescatoriLago Maggiore Now to the other two islands, one of the fishermen (Pescatori) and one of the earth (Madre). Isola Pescatori Isola Superiore dei Pescatori, called 'superiore' due to its position as the northern most of the three islands, is no longer owned by the Borromeo family. (For purposes of [...]
Lago Maggiore View Imagine a crystal clear alpine lake surrounded by a crowning circle of Italian and Swiss alps, its shore ringed by romantic villages. Lago Maggiore, easily reached from Milan, is in the heart of Italy's Lake Region. Very close to the lake's western shore are three small islands: Isola Bella, Isola [...]
Located in the Veneto region west of Venice, the city of Vicenza is a confection of marble balustrades, exquisite architecture and luxuriant hillsides. Within the confines of the medieval walls, little evidence remains of the intense bombing raids that nearly destroyed the city during World War II. Now, pleasant wide boulevards and huge piazzas fill [...]
