Between Switzerland and Italy the Lago Maggiore represents a nice holiday destination with a diverse landscape, excellent food and historical places. The lake is around 64km long and 10km wide. The Swiss side is more expensive to stay and shop, so we went to the Italian side and stayed in a hotel in Cannobio.
Hotel Casa Arizzoli: http://www.hotelcasaarizzoli.com/uk/hotel_casa_arizzoli_cannobio.asp?lan=1
One of the highlights and a tip from a friend was the trip with the ferry to
Cannero Riviera and then taking a walk back to Cannobio in the woods with amazing views on the lake.
A trip to the Swiss side we made was with the car to Minusio- facing a few difficulties to park without local currency (Swiss Franken)- then a walk at the lake to Locarno and back. Frank was interested to see where the ‚contracts of Locarno‘ were negotiated and signed in 1925, but the place was basically a ruin and really disappointing.
The walk though was really nice, the trees in autumn with colored leaves, and the sun reflecting in the water.
The Swiss side also offers an amazing valley- Valle Verzasca- with water falls (e.g. La Froda in Sonogno), a green river with big rocks, a Roman bridge and charming villages. Worth a day trip!
On the way back we went by car to the top of Monte Bre - a really, really narrow road. An adventure in itself.
Nice view at Madonna del Sasso.
