A three-star hotel by the lakeside

If you love sunshine, fresh mountain air and refreshing lakes, then Lake Maggiore will be your ideal summer location. The climate of the region is famed for its mildness, allowing Mediterranean-like vegetation to flourish. We stay in a traditional, family run, three-star hotel. Overlooking the lake, it offers excellent hospitality with a buffet breakfast and a three-course evening meal. Our evening meetings, which include a helpful Bible talk, are always a highlight.

Lakeside walks, swimming, ice-creams, cafés

The shores of the lake invite you to stroll along treelined promenades, or to linger in one of the many lakeside cafés and watch the world drift by. Sailing boats, villas, terraced gardens and flowers are all bathed in brilliant sunshine. There are also tennis courts and an excellent open-air swimming pool a short distance from our hotel.

Sophisticated Locarno in Switzerland

We have the opportunity to take a leisurely cruise to Locarno and enjoy the beauty of the lake, as part of our optional excursion package. Locarno lies at the northern end of Lake Maggiore and is in fact across the border, in Switzerland. Enjoy the fun of water pedaloes and bicycles, take the short climb to the castle or ride up on the gondola to see the spectactular views.

A lake cruise to the Borromean Islands

A lake cruise will also provide a relaxing day as we glide across to visit the famous Borromean Islands. The Isola Bella is renowned for the splendid Palazzo Borromo, now an art gallery. White peacocks roam in the stunning Italian-style gardens, which rise in terraces. The area is covered with lush southern vegetation – lemon and orange trees, cherry-laurels, cedars and camellias. The tiny Isola dei Pescatori is the best preserved and most atmospheric of the islands, with the narrow alleys of the fishing village, the port and the esplanade.

Alpine village of Macugnaga

We visit the tranquil Alpine village of Macugnaga, set high on the mountainside. A chair lift takes you up to Pecetto for impressive views of a glacier while a cable car soars to the heights of Monte Rosa. Look back to enjoy the amazing views of Italy and compare this with the scenic grandeur of Switzerland lying on the other side. Alternatively, you can stroll around the Walser village itself with its quaint shops or enjoy some of the area’s fine walks.