yestravel I’m also so confused when I start my planning, finding the ‘right’ base for my needs is important to me, and my comments about Stresa vs Baveno were related to the ferry schedule. The crowds in Stresa didn’t affect us really, we were not there during the day, and the ferry hopping day trippers seem to just pop in for lunch and shopping. As neckervd points out, there’s loads to experience in the area, we could have stayed longer, and we could have based elsewhere, I did want to visit Macugnaga and Cannobio (gorge walk and the town) and the villages along the Centovalli and the Simplon area and Arona….sigh….

I was also initially conflicted about Locarno as a base, and it was a perfect choice, apartment near a grocery store, the central bus stop, and the train station, which led to so many incredible day excursions. It’s such a relief when the decision works out.

TDudette I’m widening my scope next year, adding France instead of Italy.
Again, hoping my choice of bases is right for me 🤞

I am looking at google maps to get from Domodssola to some of the places you mention. Its not showing routes with transit or they are like 3 hours which for me is too long for a day trip. What am I missing?

Macugnaga (1300 m above sea level): 1 hr 15 min by bus, 7times daily

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...22486b2931.jpg

Thank you! What app do I use? I was looking at Google maps and wasnt finding anything.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ac506e39a1.jpg
Monte Moro Pass, 1 hr 40 min by bus and cableway from Domodossola (via Macugnaga Staffa), July/August plus weekends in September

Timetables: https://www.comazzibus.com/linee_orari.php
Map: map.geo.admin.ch

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2f0b9a1c99.jpg
Ponte Formazza, 1 hr by bus from Domodossola

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2b7d468d74.png
Riale, Val Formaggia, 1 hr 20 min by bus from Domodossola, July-August only

Thanks so much! I appreciate it.

All about Domodossola and it's valleys:
https://www.visitossola.it/en/ (with tons of useful links)
https://english.santamariamaggiore.info/

Piana di Vigezzo: https://www.visitossola.it/en/poi/pi...zo-ski-resort/
The gondola runs continuously in July/August and about every hr or every 30 min for Easter until September.
The gondola station is half an hr on foot from Sta Maria railway station (no convenient bus). You can shorten this walk if you leave Domodossola by 7.52 train (the only one which stops on request at Prestinone SSIF, 15 min from the cableway).
Timetables Valle Vigezzo:
https://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/...izi/orari.html load down "Treni internazianali e treni locali italiani"
Prontobus in Valle Vigezzo - Santa Maria Maggiore

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...570371b890.jpg
Piana di Vigezzo