Stresa e Pallanza

Buonasera miei studenti meravigliosi.

Since the last time I wrote you, I have been very busy exploring some beautiful towns along Lago Maggiore. As well, one of the teachers from Baveno drove me up into the mountains, just 20 minutes from the border of Switzerland (students in Years 3 to 6, can you remember which other countries border Italy?).

Venerdi, quarto di gennario I caught an autobus (think how you would pronounce this) to Stresa, the next town along Lago Maggiore, and the most popular for tourists. Stresa is in the Gulf of Borromeo and is the gateway to the area's famous Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre e Isola di Pescatori). I'm sure you can name the first two Islands in English, but what about the third one? The Islands are known for their stunning palaces and gardens. I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the islands as there are very few ferries that cross the lake in the middle of winter, but I hope to one day soon.

Un albero di Natale in Stresa Piazza

Stresa Piazza (or Stresa Town Square)
(Similar to Forrest Chase in Perth City)

Later the same day, I spent the afternoon with una amica who is also a teacher from Perth. We drove to another town along Lago Maggiore, Pallanza where we walked along the promenade (a walkway typically alongside a beach or other body of water) and enjoyed the sunshine on what was a very cold day. The promenades along Lago Maggiore are often filled with the people who live in the area, as well as tourists. It is particularly common for the Italian people to take a walk (una passeggiata) after they have eaten their evening meal. When it is not too cold, you may see dozens or even hundreds of people strolling along the promenade, many walking their dogs.                                                 

A typical promenade in Lago Maggiore. These two photos are from the town of Pallanza.

Un bel cielo blu in inverno, generally means it is molto freddo. On this day, it was no more than 8 degrees.