I am in the early stages of planning next summer’s hiking trip and just got our flights (early, with miles). We will meet our guide at the Milan airport (MXP) but want to fly in 2 days ahead. We will want to go someplace nearby with nice scenery and walking possibilities, where we can relax, dine well, and speak Italian. Would Stresa fit? I believe we can get there directly from the airport without going in to Milan.
Thanks!
Yes, there are buses to Stresa from the airport.
https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/
Lola,
We will want to go someplace nearby with nice scenery and walking possibilities, where we can relax, dine well, and speak Italian. Would Stresa fit?
I think Stresa will meet most of your expectations, except for the last one (speak Italian).
When I visited Stresa (Fall of 2017), many of the people I dealt with (hotel staff, restaurants, shop owners, etc..) spoke English.
The only exception was the saleswoman at the Vodafone shop!
Lago Maggiore is absolutely beautiful, enjoy your time there!
Stresa is great. However I would stay at least 3 nights as there is a lot to see in the Lake Maggiore area.
Last time I went I stayed at the hotel linked below, right in front of the ferry dock. It’s a nice upscale hotel. Prices are around $150 a night, all taxes included.
Workers in the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, etc), will speak several languages besides Italian.
Also most hotel workers (and waiters) in Italy nowadays are immigrants from other countries. The only Italian staff in the hotel where I stayed was the guy pictured as you open the website below. He’s the restaurant manager and is from Calabria. Everybody else was from Romania, Ukraine, and the rest of Eastern Europe.
http://www.milansperanza.it/en/
Lola,
We stayed in Stresa as a stopover between Switzerland and Liguria last fall. Good spot for three nights as Roberto recommended. We also stayed at the Milano Speranza and highly recommend it.
One of our outings was to take the dramatic lift to Mottarone, our objective being lunch at Viila Pizzini, which was magnificent. it’s not so much a “hike” as a stroll, though next time we are in the area we will spend the night there.
Thank you! Sounds good and that hotel looks perfect, especially the lakefront rooms with balcony.
Stresa is an excellent choice. Great for decompressing, and if you head over to the islands you will be well impressed by the gardens. Not only peacocks but white peacocks whose display looks like back lighted lace. Lots of them. And on Isola Madre the garden is really really good, and includes completely free range exotic chickens. We love it there. Can you tell?
