STRESA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Being tucked in natural beauty, walking and sailing next to the Borromeo Islands precious architecture, the fresh and mild climate, regenerate body and mind. The Hotel La Palma welcomes you and takes you to discover the romantic atmosphere of the Maggiore Lake, historical destination of an elegant and refined tourism, ideal for whom loves nature.

The city

Unique and charming, Stresa is a sought after destination thanks to its climate, the garden in bloom, the lakeside in front of the Borromeo Islands, the artistic and architectural beauty of its villas, the liberty style hotels and the open air activity in the unspoilt nature.
To start your visit in Stresa you will inevitable feel attracted by the lakeside. No doubt about that! Your sight will be stroke by the contrast of the vivid colors: green, yellow, red of the gardens, blue of the lake and pale blue of the sky! Walking north-south, on your left-hand you’ll see the Borromeo Gulf, with its islands, and on your right-hand there are the great liberty hotels from the beginning of 18th Century, that made the history of this tourist destination. Leaving the lake side and taking up the alleys of the historical centre, you’ll find shops and places to eat and drink. We recommend to visit the parish church of Sant’Ambrogio for the artistic value of its pitcures from the 15th century. Next to the church there is the Villa Ducale, from the eighteen century. If you chose Stresa because you are classical music lovers, in the city centre you’ll find Palazzo dei congressi (congresses palace) where the “settimane musicali” (music weeks) are held http://www.stresafestival.eu/.

The Botanical and Zoological Gardens

Giardino Zoologico di Villa Pallavicino.
The splendid 18th  century villa that shelves from the hill to the lake, was turned into a zoological garden in 1956. You can walk through flowers, deers, peacocks, wildebeest, centuries-old trees, and precious statues. (toward the southern exit of the city, 5 minutes walking from the centre).

Giardino Alpinia.
Colourful flashes of the season blooms, a garden created to amaze you. This is the criterion followed since its opening in 1934. From the garden you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lake Maggiore (Mottarone direction, 10 minutes driving).

Villa Taranto:
English Gardens with more than 20 thousands botanical species, set in a wide variety of decorations and perspectives typically Italian: terraces, waterfalls, statues. Thanks to the Scottish Neil Mc Earcharn, who was able to notice the versatility of the Lake Maggiore climate, there are also perfumes and colors of flower species that come from every latitude. (Pallanza direction).

The Borromeo Islands

“There are four of them: Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isolino di San Giovanni and Isola dei Pescatori.
The artists linger with peculiar affection on the last one, that it really seems the work of an artist (…) There’s no landscape painter who visited the lake who didn’t sketch it on his drawing book, or made it the subject of a picture.” (Ceretti, Intra 1925).

Vacanza attiva!

Sailing the lake
All over the year the Lake Maggiore is crowded with modern sailing boats; Its waters are in fact the ideal place to practice sailing and yachting: much more than just sports, they represent a real lifestyle.

Canoeing, kayaking
The wide surface of the Lake Maggiore is an ideal place for the tourist to venture by canoe or kajak, covering long distances surrounded by a natural landscape of rare beauty.

Water skiing and wakeboard.

Mountain Bike:
By cableway http://www.stresa-mottarone.it/ for a downhill pattern or a panoramic trip up to the top of Mottarone, you’ll enjoy panoramic routes with different difficulty levels that takes you back to the lake side.
Here is an example of  possible route:http://itinerari.mtb-forum.it/tours/view/961.

Trekking and panoramic excursion from Stresa up to Mottarone by cableway http://www.stresa-mottarone.it/ , or excursions on the mountains and natural reserves http://www.illagomaggiore.com/it_IT/home/vacanza_attiva/trekking

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Golf

The Lake Maggiore area is an international golf destination. Here are the most suggestive places to enjoy your favourite sport:

Golf Des Iles Borromees:
18 hole, 5 km away from Stresa city center. It’s got a pattern that stretches out in a natural unspoilt landscape, at an height of about 500 meters, well sun exposed, fresh in summertime and sunny in wintertime. Located in a wonderful place, the green has an amazing view, from the plain of the Ticino river to the Sempione and Switzerland Alps and four subalpine lakes: the Lake Maggiore, the Varese Lake, The Monate Lake and the Comabbio Lake. THE GOLF DES ILES BORROMEES opens all year. (Closed in January).

Golf Alpino 9 hole, 8 km from Stresa
Golf & Sporting Club Verbania  9 hole, 10 km from Stresa
Circolo Golf Piandisole 9 hole, 25 km from Stresa
Golf Club Castel Conturbia 18 hole, 40 km from Stresa
Arona Golf Club 9 hole, 42 km from Stresa

Before you start your holiday, we suggest you to visit the official web site of the Lake Maggiore to get updated about events, and to get more information on excursions and other activities.