The ones who already know these surroundings may have a precise program and may be informed about the possibilities offered by these places. All the other ones, who have never visited the region, will receive plenty of information and material from our side about where they can spend time up to their preferences.
The small distance (only a few minutes) from the house to Stresa, to the motorway A26 Genova-Gravellona and to the highway passing through the Ossola and the Sempione (which leads to Switzerland) allows the possibility to reach in a short time the Lago Maggiore, the Lago d’Orta, Lago di Mergozzo, the River Toce and the valleys and the mountains from the Ossola to the Switzerland.
In the hills nearby covered by chestnut, beech and birch woods, there are easy hikes suitable for families and mushroom and chestnut seekers.
In the near villages, next to the lakes and the valleys of the Ossola, during all year there are a lot of events, festivals, feasts with handcraft markets, floriculture and typical products of the area.
During the summer months you could do a lot of water activities and it is possible to bath on the bank of our lakes. There are quite a lot of different mountain hikes, both on the Mottarone nearby and on the mountains of the Ossola, in the parks of the VEGLIA DEVERO, on the area of CUSIO and on the one of Wilderness, not far from the town of Verbania, in the Park VALGRANDE.
A lot of these locations are famous in winter for downhill ski, cross country ski and for excursions with snowshoes, and during the year for the particular feasts:
- “the Chimney sweeps” in S.M.Maggiore,
- “la Scargaa” from Devero to Crodo,
- “il Gelindo”,
- “la Milizia”,
and various different Christmas market and live Nativity scenes.
Human Heritage are the “paths between faith and culture” of the various Sacred Mountains, in Domodossola, Ghiffa and Orta, which may give moments of real peace and unexpected wonderful views. Always for faith and culture, S. Caterina del Sasso, the island of S. Giulio and the Madonna del Sasso are really worth a visit.
The local handcraft has always been specialized in the wood, stone, metal and embroidery manufacturing. For the flower lovers there are a lot of events, near Stresa, to be visited in parks and gardens: Villa Taranto, Villa Pallavicino, the Isola Bella and the Isola Madre.
There also a lot music festivals during the Musical Weeks of Stresa:
- the musical season of the “Fondazione Salina” in Arona
- the unique and not to be missed Musik-festivals in our ancient caves, “Tones on the Stones”
- cultural events as “Letteraltura Festival” in Verbania” dedicated to sale of books that describe our mountains and the live of their people
- the prize “Stresa Narrativa”
- the “Festival Grinzane, Cinema” in Stresa.
As you may see, there is a huge choice of possibilities! We are waiting for you!
As far as the sports concern…
…we are suggesting to the golf lovers that 5 minutes far from our house, they may find the golf course “des Iles Borromées”, with 18 holes and the one “Golf Alpino di Gignese” with 9 holes.
In the area nearby there is also a horse rent for excursions on our hills also with guides.
Possibility of fishing in the streams and in the lakes.
There are a lot of swimming pools and water entertainments during the summer and the Terme di Premia with thermal bath and treatment during all the year.
The water is a predominant element in these area and so you may enjoy the possibility of sailing, canoeing Kayak and rafting courses.
During the winter, there are several areas nearby suitable for downhill and cross country ski, as well all for excursions with snowshoes.
For the bike lovers, there are tracks on the Lago Maggiore, on the river Toce’s outlet and for mountain bikers there are tracks in valleys, hills and mountains.
For trekking and climbing there is a wide choice also with various proposals from the association “Consorzio Guide Wilderness”. Possibility of paragliding.
