Wow Stresa on Lake Maggiore, you impressed me. I was so confident that Bellagio on Lake Como was my favorite but now I’m not sure. Lake Maggiore is stunningly beautiful and the food and shopping was to die for and I could still live on my private island (Borromean Islands). Even with the parking issues (it took us over an hour to find a spot and Andy literally found one as we decided to give up and leave) you are still in the running for my favorite place.

We ate lunch at Ristorante Bar La Botte. I had the risotto with gorgonzola and pear and Andy had eggplant ravioli. Delizioso! Then we went shopping! Holy cow! I was in heaven! The shops were amazing!

When we moved here I told Andy that I wanted to get some handmade Italian dinnerware and I’ve been looking everywhere for something that I liked. I walked into Ferri Cristina and there it was. The pottery had the beautiful blues and yellows that I’m always drawn to.  Andy was waiting outside the store in the piazza and when I went out to get him to show him I was thinking that I really hoped he’d like it because if he didn’t I would be really sad. He reluctantly came in the store and as we were looking at the pieces of pottery that I liked, we noticed that the artist was Tassi. Andy’s mom’s maiden name is Tassi! SOLD! The store owner, Cristina, and her staff helped us pick out some amazing pieces. I can’t wait to go back! Upon further research, we discovered that the artist has a shop in Deruta, Italy which is about 4.5 hours from us but I’m sure we will make a visit to the shop on our way to visit Southern Italy. Maybe we are related?

Along the promenade, there were amazing palatial hotels. Hemingway stayed at the Grand Hotel Des Iles Broromees and it’s gardens were incredible. Maybe I can get Andy to make it an overnight next time we go to Stresa?

I’m not sure where we are going next weekend but I know Stresa and Lake Maggiore will be hard to beat!