Lake Maggiore

After successfully negotiating the precipitous Alpine roads we crossed the border into Italy.  It is interesting how much the style of houses, restaurants and general landscape changes as you move from the German section of Switzerland, through the Swiss-Italian area then into Italy itself.  Meaning no disrespect to Italy, the German side is super neat and tidy. Farms look like they have been mown and swept that morning and houses are spick and span and made colourful with flower boxes. While also colourful and enchanting in their own way, villages and towns are less orderly and well-groomed as you approach and enter Italy. I guess it reflects the stereotypes of passionate Italians and reserved and precise Germans.

The other instant difference when you cross into Italy is that everything is much cheaper.  Unless you are earning Swiss francs, pretty much everything in Switzerland is eye-wateringly expensive. A cheese roll and a coffee for lunch will set you back about $20Aus in Switzerland. You can halve that for the same in Italy.  No wonder many Swiss save up their supermarket shop then drive over the border to shop in Italy.  Although they can be taxed on the way back it is still much cheaper.

Arriving at our accommodation in a small village on the edge of Lake Maggiore we were delighted to find that we had a magnificent view of the lake from our stylish apartment. It was a quick walk down to the shore and we had a couple of nice little restaurants nearby.

The next day we pottered about the local area and had lunch in a shady trattoria near the water. It was very hot the whole time we were there so staying near the water was helpful.  After shopping for supplies at the supermarket we returned to our apartment. When it had cooled down a little after dinner we went for another walk down to the lake and Jim went for a swim.

On our second day we drove around Lake Maggiore to the town of Stresa on the opposite side. There we took a ferry to Isola Bella, the largest of the three Borromean Islands in the Italian part of Lake Maggiore. Count Carlo III began developing Isola Bella between 1629 and 1652 and his son Vitaliano built a summer palace and beautiful gardens. It was so pretty and again, a welcome respite from the heat. It was also fun to take the car ferry back across to our village.

The Borromean Islands

We spent our final night before returning to Lucerne in a hotel high above the lake on the west side. It had air-con and a pool which was welcome.  There was a strict rule that you must wear a bathing cap in the pool! You could hire one for 3 euros – we didn’t bother.  A nice little earner I guess but I wasn’t wearing a hired bathing cap – yuck!

Back over the Alps, again marveling at the view, we returned Sabine’s car and had a quick coffee with her then began the journey back to Dorset.  After flight delays, roadworks and losing connection to Google maps we finally turned into our drive at 5 am. We had expected to be back about 1 am – nearly 13 hours to get from Lucerne to Nightingale Farm!

It was a remarkable trip of stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences made extra special by the generosity and hospitality of Maria and Sabine and their family and friends. Thanks so much. We hope to see you all soon.

We head off to Ireland tomorrow and I haven’t done a thing yet. I had better sign off and do some packing.  If there is time I will put up some pics as we go so keep an eye out for leprechauns and four leafed clovers. Otherwise we will be back in about two weeks.

Love your emails and always appreciate comments on here.

Take care everyone!

Frankie and Jim