Guidebook for Verbania
Food Scene
Super basic, unfussy, family-run honest trattoria about 5 minutes from the house. Great prices, especially at lunch. It's a mix of locals and tourists.
Osteria La Gallina Che Fuma
1 Via Filippo TuratiSuper basic, unfussy, family-run honest trattoria about 5 minutes from the house. Great prices, especially at lunch. It's a mix of locals and tourists.
LITERALLY THE BEST PIZZA I'VE EATEN IN 20 YEARS IN ITALY.
The ONLY bad thing is that it's IMPOSSIBILE to get a table. They only do dinner, 7:30 or 9:30pm seating, so please please please call them and book in advance because it is so delicious.
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Fiore di Latte Pizzeria
5 Via G. VerdiLITERALLY THE BEST PIZZA I'VE EATEN IN 20 YEARS IN ITALY.
The ONLY bad thing is that it's IMPOSSIBILE to get a table. They only do dinner, 7:30 or 9:30pm seating, so please please please call them and book in advance because it is so delicious.
Good lakefront dining right in the main square of Mergozzo. Not super cheap, but very nice food. You can also just have a drink or a coffee.
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Ristorante La Pagul
4 Vicolo XIGood lakefront dining right in the main square of Mergozzo. Not super cheap, but very nice food. You can also just have a drink or a coffee.
Not right on the lake, but a nice restaurant serving lots of locally sourced food. The owner is the brother Chef Marco Sacco, who runs Piccolo Lago, our next door neighbor at the Lake House. Good, casual, but just the right amount of sophisticated.
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La Quartina
20 Via PallanzaNot right on the lake, but a nice restaurant serving lots of locally sourced food. The owner is the brother Chef Marco Sacco, who runs Piccolo Lago, our next door neighbor at the Lake House. Good, casual, but just the right amount of sophisticated.
Our neighbor at the Lake House. Two Michelin Stars. Very special place. Obviously the food and service is divine and the setting... well, it's positioned right beneath us at the house, so...unbeatable. When you want to splash out.
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Piccolo Lago Restaurant
87 Via Filippo TuratiOur neighbor at the Lake House. Two Michelin Stars. Very special place. Obviously the food and service is divine and the setting... well, it's positioned right beneath us at the house, so...unbeatable. When you want to splash out.
Great, sophisticated, Italian cuisine just above the beach at Feriolo, 10 minutes from the house. The owner also has a restaurant right on the beach of Feriolo, lakefront, but I can't remember the name. Very good quality and service.
Hotel Serenella
5 Via 42 MartiriGreat, sophisticated, Italian cuisine just above the beach at Feriolo, 10 minutes from the house. The owner also has a restaurant right on the beach of Feriolo, lakefront, but I can't remember the name. Very good quality and service.
In the cute little town of Feriolo, 10 minutes by car on lago Maggiore, this is a restaurant I go to a lot. The same owners as Serenella and Verbano on Isola dei Pescatori.
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Vistaqua
11 Via Giuseppe MazziniIn the cute little town of Feriolo, 10 minutes by car on lago Maggiore, this is a restaurant I go to a lot. The same owners as Serenella and Verbano on Isola dei Pescatori.
THE gelato destination in the area. The gelateria in the town of Mergozzo is mediocre, all the real locals go here! Just a mile out of town but with ample parking and lots of seating. Do it.
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Bar Gelateria Aurora
1 Via CominazziniTHE gelato destination in the area. The gelateria in the town of Mergozzo is mediocre, all the real locals go here! Just a mile out of town but with ample parking and lots of seating. Do it.
This is a locanda run by two of my friends, Felipe and Patricia, who are Brazilian and speak perfect English and Italian. They have a great restaurant with a lovely garden just a mile down the road and also can organize bike trips as Felipe is a passionate cyclist.
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Casa della Capra
25 Via PallanzaThis is a locanda run by two of my friends, Felipe and Patricia, who are Brazilian and speak perfect English and Italian. They have a great restaurant with a lovely garden just a mile down the road and also can organize bike trips as Felipe is a passionate cyclist.
Parks & Nature
http://www.lagomaggiorecanyoning.it/
They will organize trekking and canyoning trips, suitable for (just about) all ages and fitness levels. A great, fun, exciting way to explore all the rivers and valleys around Lago Maggiore, and a fantastic way to see the region by an expert guide - and get some exercise!
Lago maggiore canyoning Mountain Guides
http://www.lagomaggiorecanyoning.it/
They will organize trekking and canyoning trips, suitable for (just about) all ages and fitness levels. A great, fun, exciting way to explore all the rivers and valleys around Lago Maggiore, and a fantastic way to see the region by an expert guide - and get some exercise!
Lovely gardens with many animals and a petting zoo in an incredible setting on the grounds of a stately villa.
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Villa Pallavicino
4 Piazza MarconiLovely gardens with many animals and a petting zoo in an incredible setting on the grounds of a stately villa.
It's the highest, lakefront peak, about 1500meters, right above Stresa. You can catch the Funivia (chairlift) right near Stresa and it will take you all the way to the top. It's lovely for hiking and walking or picnics in the summer. There's also an "Alpine Rollarcoaster" called "Alpyland" at the peak.
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Mottarone
It's the highest, lakefront peak, about 1500meters, right above Stresa. You can catch the Funivia (chairlift) right near Stresa and it will take you all the way to the top. It's lovely for hiking and walking or picnics in the summer. There's also an "Alpine Rollarcoaster" called "Alpyland" at the peak.
This sweet little trail departs from the center of Mergozzo, and takes you all along Montorfano, the little turtle-shaped mountain you see directly in front of the house.
The trail is mainly flat and good for all levels. It'll take you about an hour there and back and is mainly all in the shade, so great for either hot or rainy days. You can either take snacks, or there's a little cafe' (very simple) near the " town" (a few houses and a lovely 12th Century church) of Montorfano.
Sentiero Blu per Montorfano
Viadotto MergozzoThis sweet little trail departs from the center of Mergozzo, and takes you all along Montorfano, the little turtle-shaped mountain you see directly in front of the house.
The trail is mainly flat and good for all levels. It'll take you about an hour there and back and is mainly all in the shade, so great for either hot or rainy days. You can either take snacks, or there's a little cafe' (very simple) near the " town" (a few houses and a lovely 12th Century church) of Montorfano.
A day trip by car to Macugnaga will take you through beautiful little villages and windy roads. Once to Macugnaga you can take the cable car up to the top of Monte Rosa (bring a jacket, it will be chilly!) - which is the second highest peak in the Alps. It's a really lovely panorama, very characteristic of the mountains surrounding Lago Maggiore.
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Macugnaga
A day trip by car to Macugnaga will take you through beautiful little villages and windy roads. Once to Macugnaga you can take the cable car up to the top of Monte Rosa (bring a jacket, it will be chilly!) - which is the second highest peak in the Alps. It's a really lovely panorama, very characteristic of the mountains surrounding Lago Maggiore.
Cute island, nice place for lunch. I really suggest ristorante VERBANO, for the view and the food. If you can, avoid on the weekends and book in advance in the garden.
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Isola Pescatori station
Cute island, nice place for lunch. I really suggest ristorante VERBANO, for the view and the food. If you can, avoid on the weekends and book in advance in the garden.
This is a really nice trip, you park in Stresa and take the Funivia up to the top of Mottarone. Great views and just a gorgeous spot, especially if you want to cool down, it's always a bit cooler up there so bring a sweatshirt!
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Τελεφερίκ Στρέζα Μοτταρόνε
8 Piazzale LidoThis is a really nice trip, you park in Stresa and take the Funivia up to the top of Mottarone. Great views and just a gorgeous spot, especially if you want to cool down, it's always a bit cooler up there so bring a sweatshirt!
Everything Else
A lovely day spa with tons of pools and thermal baths in Locarno Switzerland. The setting looks like a James Bond movie. Worth a trip, and the 45 minutes drive (maybe more in summer, could be traffic-y) is lovely. When you want to treat yourself. You can also get to Locarno by boat from Lago Maggiore!
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Termali Salini & Spa Locarno
7 Via Gioacchino RespiniA lovely day spa with tons of pools and thermal baths in Locarno Switzerland. The setting looks like a James Bond movie. Worth a trip, and the 45 minutes drive (maybe more in summer, could be traffic-y) is lovely. When you want to treat yourself. You can also get to Locarno by boat from Lago Maggiore!
This is a 5 minute drive from the house, with stables for horses right on the Natural Park of the Toce River and where horse lovers can go riding for an hour or two.
http://www.whiteroseranch.com/index.html
White Rose Ranch
Via ai CasoniThis is a 5 minute drive from the house, with stables for horses right on the Natural Park of the Toce River and where horse lovers can go riding for an hour or two.
http://www.whiteroseranch.com/index.html
Arts & Culture
About a 15-minute drive from the house, directly opposite Stresa, the three Borromean Islands lie in a wide gulf surrounded by mountains. The islands take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. Only the best architects and gardeners were called on by the famous members of the family—themselves art lovers and botanists—to breathe life into their ambitious projects. Hop on a ferry and spend the day exploring all three for a lovely, nearby, day trip.
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Borromean Islands
About a 15-minute drive from the house, directly opposite Stresa, the three Borromean Islands lie in a wide gulf surrounded by mountains. The islands take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. Only the best architects and gardeners were called on by the famous members of the family—themselves art lovers and botanists—to breathe life into their ambitious projects. Hop on a ferry and spend the day exploring all three for a lovely, nearby, day trip.
Entertainment & Activities
Haven't ever done this, and I personally never will, but hey, why not suspend yourself from a metal cord and go FLYING above a canyon? http://www.lagomaggiorezipline.it/ Not for people like me, who are terrified of heights but for those who like a thrill, go for it!
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Ζιπ Λάιν Λίμνη Ματζιόρε
Località Alpe SeglettaHaven't ever done this, and I personally never will, but hey, why not suspend yourself from a metal cord and go FLYING above a canyon? http://www.lagomaggiorezipline.it/ Not for people like me, who are terrified of heights but for those who like a thrill, go for it!
Every summer, the town of Stresa hosts a Music Festival in the area. Here's the link to the 2018 program:
http://www.stresafestival.eu/?lang=en
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Stresa Festival - Settimane Musicali Di Stresa
38 Via Giosuè CarducciEvery summer, the town of Stresa hosts a Music Festival in the area. Here's the link to the 2018 program:
http://www.stresafestival.eu/?lang=en
A nice, large swimming pool with some water slides and a climbing wall area. Good for kids and adults who want to splash around in a pool for a few hours.
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AquadventurePark Lake Maggiore
18 Strada CavalliA nice, large swimming pool with some water slides and a climbing wall area. Good for kids and adults who want to splash around in a pool for a few hours.
Once you've gotten atop Mottarone (on the Funivia, or you can drive - very windy roads but pretty) treat yourself and your kids (ages 4+) to a "bobsled rollar coaster" ride at "Alpyland". Really fun even for someone scared of heights (like me!)
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ALPYLAND
Once you've gotten atop Mottarone (on the Funivia, or you can drive - very windy roads but pretty) treat yourself and your kids (ages 4+) to a "bobsled rollar coaster" ride at "Alpyland". Really fun even for someone scared of heights (like me!)
Getting Around
This is a wonderful day trip if you want to get a view of the surrounding valleys and mountain towns but don't feel like driving. This railway line takes you all the way from Domodossola to Locarno, the Swiss tip of Lago Maggiore, passing through dozens of little towns you might otherwise not see.
For info write info@vigezzinacentovalli.com
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Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli (ιταλικό κεντρικό γραφείο)
Piazza G. MatteottiThis is a wonderful day trip if you want to get a view of the surrounding valleys and mountain towns but don't feel like driving. This railway line takes you all the way from Domodossola to Locarno, the Swiss tip of Lago Maggiore, passing through dozens of little towns you might otherwise not see.
For info write info@vigezzinacentovalli.com
Hey, you're on the lake: why drive when you can use a ferry boat? Here is the online site for the Lake Maggiore Ferry Service!
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/risultati.aspx?lake=Maggiore
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Navigazione Lago Maggiore
2 Piazzale della VittoriaHey, you're on the lake: why drive when you can use a ferry boat? Here is the online site for the Lake Maggiore Ferry Service!
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/risultati.aspx?lake=Maggiore
Sightseeing
It's about 30 minutes by car, and the least famous lake in the Lake District (obviously after "our" Lake Mergozzo). Very charming and romantic.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187854-d585256-Reviews-Lake_Orta-Orta_San_Giulio_Province_of_Novara_Piedmont.html
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Λίμνη Ορτα
It's about 30 minutes by car, and the least famous lake in the Lake District (obviously after "our" Lake Mergozzo). Very charming and romantic.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187854-d585256-Reviews-Lake_Orta-Orta_San_Giulio_Province_of_Novara_Piedmont.html