DebitNM

Sorry, another thread. I know; just pick!

I have 4 nights to play with for a stay on Lake Maggiore, 11th of May.

I am going back and forth between where to stay. Deciding between:

1. Stresa for all 4 nights
2. Bavenno for all 4 nights
3. Stresa or Baveno for 1st night [after arriving at noon in Milan from NY] and then 3 nights in Cannnobio.

We will head to Lugano after, if the matters.

We are concerned that Stresa would be too crowded with fellow tourists but perhaps that early in May it might be tolerable.

We are looking for walks, outdoor beauty, nature. We will take public transit, in any form or shape on this trip, no cars.

And if you have a favorite hotel in any of the 3 towns, please feel free to share.

La Palma in Stresa?
Simplon Hotel in Baveno?
Pironi in Cannobio?
Approximate $200 a night; I prefer a bit of luxe, if possible.
Thanks~

bobthenavigator

Here is my favorite in Stresa--and that is where I would stay.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Piedmont.html

DebitNM

Thanks bob; would you go for the 1 +3 or all 4 in Stresa?

DebitNM

It appears to be closed for the season, bob; any idea when they open to book and approx cost per night?

Surfergirl

All 4 in Stresa, and then please do a trip report.

(My response is selfish . . . I have stopped there on the train countless times on my way to somewhere else, and every time I see how beautiful it is, just from my view from the train, and I tell myself I'm going to stay there one day!).

DebitNM

lol, surfergirl!

DebitNM

I got this reply from Hotel Residence La Luna Nel Porto:

<i>- Superior Suite - 55 sqm - facing and overlooking the lake with private huge terrace ( 120 sqm) made up of living room with sofa bedroom with double bed ( or twins if required) and bathroom with shower, at the price of euro 200,00 per night/per Suite
OR
- Superior Suite- 67 sqm - facing and overlooking the lake with terrace and private garden , made up of large living room with sofa and armchairs, bedroom with a double bed ( or twin beds- if required) and large bathroom (subdivided in two areas - one with two sinks and another with facilities and box shower) and hair dryer at the price of euro 200,00 per night /Suite ."</i>

Terrace or Balcony??

sandralist

Never been to Canobbio, but I stayed in Stresa, and while I was out on a boat on the lake, it docked at Baveno and thought: "I wished I'd stayed there instead!" It's not that I terribly disliked Stresa, but it is rather touristy in the main part of town. The corner of Stresa that I liked best is near the entrance to the cable car that goes up the mountain. There is a fun little restaurant right on the water called L'Idrovolante, and most people never walk that far down the promenade, so it is away from the main tourist center, but the boats dock right there and you have the cable car, and you can walk along the promenade. There are some hotels around there. The area is right at the Piazzale Lido.

All that said, friends of mine recently stayed a night or two quite happily in Baveno, in one of these apartments

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/resi...rl-amp-do.html

All the boats that go to the islands that stop in Stresa also stop in Baveno. The airport bus goes to both towns. Stresa has a train station, but I don't believe Baveno does. But it would be a short taxi ride to Stresa if it doesn't. The towns are very close together.

If you are very interested in gardens, there are some famous ones in the area, and I don't know if it is easier to get to them from Stresa or Baveno. However, if you like hikes, then the cable car into the mountains leaves from Stresa.

sandralist

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...el-advice.html

DebitNM

We are greatly leaning towards all 4 nights in Stresa.

neckervd

No place along Lake Maggiore will be crowded in May. Public transport between all of them is frequent and easy. There are train resp bus lines around the Lake and boats plying the Lake from Arona up to Locarno.
Stresa is famous for the 3 Borromean Islands (2 of them with botanical gardens) and the cableway to the viewpoint Mottarone.
Cannobio is smaller, but a gem. Frequent buses to Intra (- Stresa) and Switzerland.

sandralist

I think it's at least possible the Milan Expo will boost the population of Stresa above typical May norms

http://www.stresatravel.com/Tomassuc...m#.VMLGUNx0W2w

http://www.caldana.it/files/File/inc...lian-lakes.pdf