Santa Caterina del Sasso

Experience the enchanting beauty of Lake Maggiore with a convenient 1-day circle-travel pass. Discover the region's treasures as you glide across the water on a public boat, explore scenic routes by bus, and ascend to stunning heights in a cable car.  Marvel at the historic Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery, and soak in panoramic views from the Laveno cable car. Choose your preferred direction of travel, whether clockwise or counterclockwise, and embark on an adventure that starts and ends at the same boarding point. Enjoy the flexibility to hop on and off at any port of call along the way with your Lake Maggiore Shipping Company ferry ticket. Embark from official departure points like Verbania Intra, Laveno, Santa Caterina del Sasso, Stresa, Carciano, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Baveno, Verbania Pallanza, and Villa Taranto.  Please note that the direction of travel and embarkation point is fixed upon ticket purchase. This self-guided adventure offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace, without a tour guide.

Cruise Lake Maggiore in your own private boat, operated by a driver who will take you around the lake and the 3 Borromean Islands. Soak up the enchanting atmosphere of one of Italy's largest and most well-known lakes. Admire the stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains and villages as you cruise. Choose the most suitable boat for your occasion, whether it be romantic or family-oriented. You can also opt for various tours or itineraries on your hour out on Lake Maggiore. Enjoy boating out to the Borromean Islands of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Pescatori. You can also be taken to the coastal towns of Stresa, Verbania, and more.

Depart from the resort town of Stresa on a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the beautiful coastline to discover the lesser-known corners of Lake Maggiore. Admire architectural masterpieces such as "Villa Amalia Bernocchi" in Empire style, "Villa Carlottina Margherita" in Liberty style, "Villa Excelsior Niobe" in Castellano style, "Villa Vignolo Domus" and the most famous "Villa Pallavicino". Sailing away from the coast of Stresa, move in the direction of the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, which perched on a sheer rock face overlooking the lake is undoubtedly one of the most evocative scenarios of Lake Maggiore. Take unique photographs and enjoy a tour of the lake outside the classic itineraries but no less fascinating and rich in history.

Do you want to learn how to cook three typical Italian dishes that are easy to make? You can do it with us during our private Italian cooking class in the province of Varese, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. The class will take place in the garden of a villa from the early 1900s near the lake, where you can savor the dishes prepared, accompanied by a glass of red wine. We look forward to sharing this experience with you! See you soon! What's Included The necessary ingredients, the final tasting, a glass of wine, and a booklet with the recipes. Live accordion accompaniment may be available at times.

Discover the sparkling waters of Lake Maggiore with this cruise to Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori, and Santa Caterina. Visit the Borromeo Palace and Gardens and the Santa Caterina del Sasso Monastery on a guided tour. Have the option to stop for a dip in the cool waters. Be met at your hotel in Verbania, Baveno, or Stresa and head to a comfortable boat on foot. Glide across the tranquil waters of Lake Maggiore Isola Bella for a tailored-made tour of the world-famous Borromeo Palace and botanical gardens. Sit down to a gourmet lunch at a balcony table at the upscale Elvezia restaurant on Isola Bella. Set sail to the Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery on the other side of the lake. Stroll through the medieval architectural of this jewel that was built on a cliff overlooking the lake on a guided tour. Continue to the charming Isola dei Pescatori for a guided stroll through historical alleyways. End your day by watching the sunset over breathtaking landscapes while sipping an aperitif of Italian sparkling wine and sampling mouthwatering finger food. Bid farewell to your guide at the closest landing stage to your accommodation in time for dinner.

We leave from Milan in a comfortable luxury bus, or in a private minivan, and in just over an hour we reach Stresa, the pearl of the lake; after a short visit to the city and its splendid architectural works we embark on a tour around the islands, photographing the lovely "Isola Bella", and making a stop on the "Isola dei Pescatori" the fishermen's island, where various typical restaurants and bistros await us for lunch; then, again by private boat, we approach the hermitage of S. Caterina, an astonishing cathedral literally built into the rock overlooking the lake, next we land in Arona, an elegant and fashionable lakeside town, where we can enjoy an aperitif and the italian lifestyle, the bus will reach us there to take us back to Milan.