Lake Orta to Stresa on Lake Maggiore

Today we move on to Stresa only half an hours drive from Orta. The countryside changed as we were driven across to the next lake. The drive was shortened by a very long tunnel and once we'd reached the other side I felt as though I was back in NZ with these rugged mountains appearing before us.......the Swiss Alps. We arrived in Stresa just before lunch at a little family run hotel which was once a family home. It seems to be the place of huge chandeliers including this little hotel.  The hotel is perfectly located and only a short walk down the hill into the central square and Lake. 

Hotel du Parc

We were caught out.

A lovely old Englishman came walking along and saw a lineup of us eating our delicious gelato ice cream and commented that it would make a great photo. Unfortunately a couple of them were a bit camera shy and moved.

We took a walk through this maze of narrow cobbled streets with all it's gorgeous little shops cafes and restaurants. On the hour every hour of the day all the churches or church, we can't quite work it out, ring their bells but there is a different tune with each one of them and it sounds amazing echoing through the village.

It was time to call it a day so we walked back to our hotel and joined an English couple for a cuppa then went and found something for dinner.