RB
Established Member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2004
- Posts
- 4,279
Stresa
There is a fantastic atmosphere around this Lake Maggiore settlement. There are many small shops, restaurants & bars & enough people around to keep things busy.
The funicular from Stresa up to Mottarone is marvellous-long hauls with no stanchions. The funicular cars are licenced for up to 40 but we enjoyed a trip with only 15. The ski lift haul at the very top was also fine. Got some good pictures looking around in all directions. The lift takes a 1hr lunch break- we decided to walk down to the Alpino station at that time. It was not a wise move & we spent 3hrs on a scenic but uncharted path!
The weather in Stresa is OK but low cloud persists so our plan for the Centovalli Railway round trip is left for another time. We use the ferry to see Isolla Bella and Isola Madre where the gardens are the highlights. We also walk to Baveno & catch the ferry back.
Food choices are plentiful & cheap with good quality pizza around 6-8 Euro & nice fish from the lake for 10 Euro. We particularly enjoyed Il Vicoletto that had received good recommendations on Trip Advisor. Right next to it were a couple of small bars that were patronised by the locals-plenty of chips, cheese, bread, salami etc provided with drinks. The toasted Panini were also high quality.
Stresa to Malpensa
Another (and last) easy transfer. This time we caught a train (started on time) to Busto Arsizio & then a bus to the airport. The total cost about 7 Euro each- the bus meandered around & cut in at the back of the airport. We were dropped at Terminal 1 just outside the Sheraton and then made our way to departures via an escalator.
Report of the 2 Etihad flights is here
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-trip-photos/etihad-ey-88-mxp-auh-30950.html
After a couple of not so quiet days in Sydney with mates we have our last flight SYD-PQQ. This flight is on the holiday Monday of June & the onset of the Chile ash. We receive a sms on the Sun night but upon ringing Virgin (they answer within seconds) we are advised that we should not have received the message & our flight is as planned. Syd is very quiet on the Mon morning & we are checked in quickly & wait at the gate. Boarding only starts around the planned departure time. There are only around 30 people on the flight & we are told the flight time is 32 minutes-why do these figures never eventuate? Luggage is quickly available & we are soon home after another very enjoyable time.
Summary
All accommodation bookings were fine & there were no misrepresentations-maybe web feedback such as trip advisor has minimised this
Czech Buses-excellent, reliable transport
Food-great variety, some fantastic dishes, pasta in Castello in Cochem, rabbit in Mendrisio & trout in Olomouc are my highlights
Beer-only 1 not so fresh, poorly poured beer in Olomouc spoilt my super run of the good stuff
Terra Mineralia in Frieberg (www.terra-mineralia.de)- If you are ever in the area (near Dresden) get yourself there!
Flights- the 3 J flights are super comfortable, easyjet did the job we expected and the Virgin Aust links PQQ-SYD-PQQ are always comfortable
Photos are -View from top of finicular, Stresa from ferry, Isola Bella,Regina Palace hotel showing the flower baskets that abound around the town, View across the lake & low clouds that prevailed
There is a fantastic atmosphere around this Lake Maggiore settlement. There are many small shops, restaurants & bars & enough people around to keep things busy.
The funicular from Stresa up to Mottarone is marvellous-long hauls with no stanchions. The funicular cars are licenced for up to 40 but we enjoyed a trip with only 15. The ski lift haul at the very top was also fine. Got some good pictures looking around in all directions. The lift takes a 1hr lunch break- we decided to walk down to the Alpino station at that time. It was not a wise move & we spent 3hrs on a scenic but uncharted path!
The weather in Stresa is OK but low cloud persists so our plan for the Centovalli Railway round trip is left for another time. We use the ferry to see Isolla Bella and Isola Madre where the gardens are the highlights. We also walk to Baveno & catch the ferry back.
Food choices are plentiful & cheap with good quality pizza around 6-8 Euro & nice fish from the lake for 10 Euro. We particularly enjoyed Il Vicoletto that had received good recommendations on Trip Advisor. Right next to it were a couple of small bars that were patronised by the locals-plenty of chips, cheese, bread, salami etc provided with drinks. The toasted Panini were also high quality.
Stresa to Malpensa
Another (and last) easy transfer. This time we caught a train (started on time) to Busto Arsizio & then a bus to the airport. The total cost about 7 Euro each- the bus meandered around & cut in at the back of the airport. We were dropped at Terminal 1 just outside the Sheraton and then made our way to departures via an escalator.
Report of the 2 Etihad flights is here
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-trip-photos/etihad-ey-88-mxp-auh-30950.html
After a couple of not so quiet days in Sydney with mates we have our last flight SYD-PQQ. This flight is on the holiday Monday of June & the onset of the Chile ash. We receive a sms on the Sun night but upon ringing Virgin (they answer within seconds) we are advised that we should not have received the message & our flight is as planned. Syd is very quiet on the Mon morning & we are checked in quickly & wait at the gate. Boarding only starts around the planned departure time. There are only around 30 people on the flight & we are told the flight time is 32 minutes-why do these figures never eventuate? Luggage is quickly available & we are soon home after another very enjoyable time.
Summary
All accommodation bookings were fine & there were no misrepresentations-maybe web feedback such as trip advisor has minimised this
Czech Buses-excellent, reliable transport
Food-great variety, some fantastic dishes, pasta in Castello in Cochem, rabbit in Mendrisio & trout in Olomouc are my highlights
Beer-only 1 not so fresh, poorly poured beer in Olomouc spoilt my super run of the good stuff
Terra Mineralia in Frieberg (www.terra-mineralia.de)- If you are ever in the area (near Dresden) get yourself there!
Flights- the 3 J flights are super comfortable, easyjet did the job we expected and the Virgin Aust links PQQ-SYD-PQQ are always comfortable
Photos are -View from top of finicular, Stresa from ferry, Isola Bella,Regina Palace hotel showing the flower baskets that abound around the town, View across the lake & low clouds that prevailed
