What an invitation, to spend the day with Antonio, Donatella and Loredano at Lago Maggiore, in “the Lakes Region”, northwest of Milan!
Once beyond the autostrada, and partway along the lakeshore, we stopped in Arona at the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo – the Statue of Saint Charles Borromeo – a towering figure by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. Although there is access up inside of the statue, it was closed during our visit. One of the local cats, however, was quite content for our attention and was a sweet highpoint.
After finishing our hour-and-a-half-long drive, winding along the western shore of the lake, we arrived at Stresa (STRAY-zuh). From Stresa, one looks north into Switzerland at the head of the lake. We sipped prosecco in the main piazza before catching the wood-lined transport boat to the small island of Isola Pescatore.
Wandering rabbit-warren, pebbled paths so satisfies my desire for exploration! We walked until we found the entrance to a restaurant serving the local specialty of deep fried fish: Aquadelle, “red trout” and “white trout”. I dipped each bite, head-tail-and-all, into the aioli provided and ate the fish along with the grilled veggies I also requested. Always order the local specialty!
It was a beautiful, partly sunny, not-cold winter day, and we enjoyed a shoreline stroll after lunch as we awaited the boat to take us to the next island, Isola Bella. We had our wanderings here as well, though the island was mostly shuttered for the season.
We caught the boat back to Stresa as the sky was darkening, and returned to town with the holiday lights ablaze. A wonderful day away from the city with dear friends.
(Click on the map below for a better view.)
La Statua di San Carlo – Statue of St. Charles
La Statua di San Carlo – Statue of St. Charles
La Statua di San Carlo – Statue of St. Charles
La Statua di San Carlo – Statue of St. Charles
Maureen with Tango’s Cousin
Piazzale del Monte San Carlo
Antonio checking email in the main piazza of Stresa
Donatella and Antonio wearing their new masks
Donatella and Antonio
Loredano on the piazza in Stresa
Signage in the main piazza of Stresa
Along the shore of Lago Maggiore
Tickets to the islands on Lago Maggiore
Isola Bella
Isola Bella
Isola Pescatore
On Isola Pescatore
On Isola Pescatore
On Isola Pescatore (Note the Santa Claus)
On Isola Pescatore: “Alms for the needs of the church”
On Isola Pescatore: same church
On Isola Pescatore: same church
On Isola Pescatore
On Isola Pescatore: Deep fried “red trout”, “white trout” and aquadelle fish from the lake. (Always choose what’s local.)
On Isola Pescatore: Panna cotta with raspberry sauce and shortbread
On Isola Pescatore
Lago Maggiore, with Switzerland at the north end
Lago Maggiore, with Switzerland at the north end
Isola Bella
Pebbled piazza on Isola Bella
Painted details on Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
Isola Bella
On Isola Bella, looking north to Isola Pescatore
Chain and pebbled pavement on Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
On Isola Bella
