If you think life in the Italian countryside is boring, think again.
Whether you want to gorge yourself on incredible food and wine, satiate your inner adrenaline junkie, quench your thirst for cultural exploration, indulge yourself and your better half with a romantic date, or simply relax and soak up the Italian summer sun… we’ve got you covered.
— Brought to you by our resident lifestyle editor
Must Visit
Borromean Islands
Hop on a ferry and visit the beautiful islands on Lake Maggiore next to Stresa:
Isola Bella, with the lavish Palazzo Borromeo and its iconic gardens,
Isola Madre, beloved for its lush vegetation and disco chickens (trademark pending),
Isola dei Pescatori, home to a picturesque fishing village (and where the Welcome Aperitivo will be held).
Rocca di Angera
Also owned by the Borromeo family and located in the town of Angera, this castle dominates the southern end of the lake. Originally built in the Middle Ages as a defensive fortress, it played a key role in controlling trade and protecting the surrounding territory. Over the centuries, it became a residence for nobles and remains one of the best-preserved medieval castles in northern Italy.
Today, it’s open to visitors and hosts historical collections and exhibitions, with stunning panoramic views over the lake. (Pro tip: visit the castle and the gardens, but skip the doll museum ‘cause it’s seriously creepy — unless you’re into that kind of stuff).
Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso
A 12th-century monastery set in a breathtaking location, built directly into the cliffs above the lake. It’s such an iconic and atmospheric place that words won’t do it justice. Just go see it. You can get there by walking down a path with lots of steps or by boat… also with lots of steps.
Arona
On the shores of Lake Maggiore, just a stone’s throw away from Stresa is Arona, Miri’s hometown. Its cobbled streets are lined with some excellent shops, bars and restaurants, while the lakefront is perfect for long walks or a relaxed aperitivo at sunset.
Fun fact: the town is home to an imposing, 35-meter-high statue of San Carlo Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan during the 17th century. It’s the tallest statute in Italy, and served as inspiration to sculptor Frédéric Auguste Barthold when designing the Statue of Liberty (you’re welcome New York). For those who aren’t claustrophobic, there’s a staircase inside that you can climb to the top, where you’ll peep the dizzying landscape through San Carlo’s back, eyes, ears and nostrils (nice).
While you’re in town, you can also visit Rocca di Arona, an old fortress that once saw many battles. Today, it’s a peaceful public park on top of a cliff, with some gorgeous lake views.
Orta San Giulio
This one’s a true gem (and one of our favorite places).
Next to Lake Maggiore lies its smaller cousin, Lake Orta, one of Northern Italy’s best-kept secrets. The town of Orta San Giulio is highly underrated and picture-perfect from every angle. Narrow cobblestone streets dotted with buildings featuring faded frescoes lead down to the lakeside. The main square, home to gelato shops, chic restaurants and cafés, opens onto a small harbour with boats heading to Isola San Giulio, a place of history and spirituality, often called the “island of silence”.
Up on the hill above the town, the Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the nine “Sacri Monti alpini”, is well worth a visit (if not for its 21 chapels filled with sculptures and frescoes, definitely for the breathtaking views over the lake).
Activities
Enough touristing. It’s summer in Italy after all, and we’re by a lake, which means… bring your swimsuits!
Lake Maggiore is perfect for swimming, and home to several beautiful fresh water beaches. Stresa itself, along with nearby towns like Baveno and Lesa, boasts a variety of well-equipped beach clubs where you can relax, sunbathe and enjoy the vibes. Same goes for Lake Orta and Lake Mergozzo, an even smaller lake just 20 minutes away, known for having some of the cleanest, clearest waters in Italy. Across all these lakes, you can rent boats (no, you don’t need a license) and, for the more adventurous among you, there are plenty of water sports like canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing.
If you want to enjoy nature but water sports aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Stresa and the Lake Maggiore area are ideal for those who love the outdoors. Bring your hiking shoes and explore trails like Il Sentiero dei Castagni, Monte della Croce, Lagoni di Mercurago, or head up to Mottarone (1,492m) where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of lakes, mountains, and everything in between.
You can also venture into the nearby Italian Alps around an hour’s drive away, where you’ll find countless hiking trails complete with perfect picnic spots. If you’d like recommendations, just let us know, we’ll happily share our top picks (and maybe join you?).
Finally, if you’re coming from far away and want to turn this into a longer trip, you’re spoiled for choice: from city breaks in Milan or Turin, to the wine and truffle region of Langhe, to the colorful villages of Cinque Terre, or even Zermatt in Switzerland, a place very close to our hearts - yes, it’s where we got engaged!
In short, take your time, explore, eat well, and enjoy la dolce vita ♥️ We can’t wait to hear your stories.