Stresa: What's New for 2015!

The 2015 season has been under way since about Easter but as Stresa starts to get busier in June I thought I'd let you know about some of the things that are new this summer:

Cookery Lesson
This year we are proud to introduce our cookery lesson at a lovely family run restaurant with great views over the lake. Lorenzo and Patrizia will take you through the preparation of a three course meal including pasta making and Patrizia's famous tiramisu which you can then enjoy overlooking the Borromean Bay and beyond. Full details and online booking on our website

View from the restaurant

Michele and Greg making pasta!

Visit the Alpine Gardens by Bus
With the cable car closed this year for renovations, the local council and bus company have set up a bus service to and from Stresa and the Alpine Gardens at Alpino. The journey time is between 25-35 minutes and the bus operates as follows:

The Alpine Gardens

From 25/05/15 - 11/06/15 and 14/09/15 - 30/09/15
Stresa to Alpino
11.00 (Monday to Saturday)
14.00 (Saturday only)
14.45 (Monday to Friday)

Alpino to Stresa
15.22 ((Saturday only)
15.52 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday only)
17.02 (Tuesdy and Friday only)
18.12 (Monday to Saturday)

From 12/06/15 - 13/09/15
Stresa to Alpino
09.00 (Monday to Saturday)
10.00 (Every day)
12.00 (Monday to Saturday)
14.00 (Every day)

Alpino to Stresa
11.52 (Every day)
12.38 (Monday to Saturday)
14.38 (Monday to Saturday)
15.52 (Every day)
18.52 (Every day)

More to see in the Borromean Palace
It's all about art in the Borromean palace on Isola Bella this year. The picture gallery is now included in the entrance price and is quite interesting to have a walk through. The walls are literally covered with 130 framed paintings. You also pass through the throne room.

In the Great Room you will also find a special exhibition entitled "The Grand Tour and Paintings and Views of the Borromean Islands: from Gaspar Van Wittel to Luigi Ashton". This is a fascinating collection of paintings and drawings of the islands on show for this summer.

The picture gallery

You can now download a Borromean Islands app for iPhone and Android. The app contains free photo galleries of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and the Rocca d'Angera. You can also plan your visit in advance by downloading the audio guide (€2.99 in app purchase).

Designer Isola Bella
After visiting the palace and gardens on Isola Bella you can stroll down Isola Bella's very own designer lane "Vicolo del Fornello" where you'll find such brands as Alessi, Herno, Via Vela 14, Italian Indipendent, Coolturalbag, Di Luca, Capricci, Acqua di Stresa and Bagutta.