Così come a casa - Bed and Breakfast - Where we are: Neighbourhoods

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			Where we are: • Neighbourhoods •


		Laveno Mombello		Even known as the “Pottery Country”, Laveno-Mombello is one of the most important climatic, touristic and cultural center of the Maggiore Lake. province: Varese surface: 25 Kmq., 200 mt. a.s.l. inhabitants: about 9.000

Ruled at first from Longobards and Franks, Laveno e Mombello were parts of the Seprio Committee; afterwards came the Visconti, the Sforza, the Borromeo and Besozzi fiefs.
The most ancient news about Mombello came from the traces of primitive settlements, such as the remains of pile dwellings dating back to 3000 b.C., in the protected hilly zone known as "Torbiera".



		Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso		It is built on the lombard side of the Maggiore Lake, just a short distance away from our Bed & Breakfast; it is a romanic hermitage overhanging the lake, and it date back to the 11th century: to reach the buildings and the church you’ll have to go down along a staircase with more than 300 steps, but you will be completely repayed by the amazing naturalistic and artistic sight.

The building, about ten meters above the lake waters, hangs on a sheer cliff, part of the rocky wall that in the Middle Ages was called Sasso Ballaro (“the Ballaro Stone”).
The complex, a real jewel of the artistic and naturalistic patrimony of the Lago Maggiore, offers to the visitor a charming view of the southern part of the lake.
Currently people can access the ancient complex either by boat, directly from the lake, or from the top, along a trail starting at the small square "of the Quicc", where in the ancient times were buildings belonging to the monastery. The latter starting point is at walking distance from our home.
The same boat landing place can be used to explore the many interesting places of the lake, such as the Isole Borromee (Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre), the parks of Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino, the Rocca di Angera , etc.



		Sasso del Ferro		From the Laveno cable railway you can reach Sasso del Ferro top in about 10 minutes: from here, at a height of about 1000 metres, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the whole Lake Maggiore and of the Monte Rosa massif overlooking the nearby mountains. Sasso del Ferro also represents a very good launching pad for hang-gliding lovers.

Path to the Sasso del Ferro and to Pizzoni di Laveno mountaigns
Start: Casere di Laveno (Capanna Gigliola).
Arrival: Sasso del Ferro, 1062 mt.
Time: 50 min.
Height difference: 308 mt.

From Casere (on the road that brings from Cittiglio to Cuvignone pass), take the climbing path starting from Capanna Gligliola. From here, in about half an hour, you can reach Poggio S.Elsa (950 mt); here it is the Laveno cable railway arrival: going on for about twenty minutes, you will reach the Sasso del Ferro top and enjoy the panorama.



		Isole Borromee		Visiting Stresa you may be gazed by the beautiful lake panorama where the three Borromeo Islands shine: The Isola Madre (Mother Island) with the beautiful botanic garden, plenty of rarities; the Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), overlooked by the famous Borromeo Palace; the Isola dei Pescatori (Fishers Island) and its enchanting village.


				Isola Madre: It’s the largest and the most characteristic of the Borromeo Islands for its quiet and enchanting atmosphere: a garden of rare plants and esotic flowers, where white peacocks, parakeets and pheasants of many species live in complete freedom, creating the enchantment of a tropical land. The XVI century Palace was open to visitors in 1978: here you can find interesting reconstructions of ancient rooms, and collections of liveries, dolls and pieces of porcelain. You can’t miss the wonderful exhibition of the “Puppet Theatres” (XVIII and XIX century).


				Isola Bella: n 1670 the Count Vitaliano Borromeo started building the monumental baroque Palace and the majestic scenery of the gardens that made the island famous: up till now they prove their ancient splendours. This Borromeo residence contains inestimable works of art: tapestries, furniture and paintings. The gardens, plenty of rare plants and flowers of every variety, expand in 10 superimposed terraces: a classic and inimitable sample of “Italian Garden” of that age.


				Isola dei Pescatori: Was the first island to be inhabited and now, more than ever, with its characteristic narrow and winding streets, is one of the most romantic places on the lake. The little church, dedicated to Saint Vittore, dates back to the beginning of the XVI century.



Altri percorsi	Villa Pallavicino The park houses animals like deer and llamas, who live free in spacious lands. There is also a little amusement park equipped with swings, slides and a mushroom-shaped “Dolls House”. You can admire the rare and exotic plants or walk in the beautyful Italian Garden, gazing hundreds of different blooming species.	Arona The statues of San Carlo rises on a hill, close to Arona. It was built after the canonization of the Borromeo Archbishop in 1610. The giant statue of San Carlo (also well known as San Carlone), is impressive because of its measurements, and makes this place the tipical destination for those who want to visit Arona.


				Villa Taranto Villa Taranto is renown for its famous gardens; its name comes from an ancestor of the captain Mc Eacharn, dubbed “Taranto Duke” from Napoleon. The huge woody mass is composed by thirty thousand species of plantes and trees coming from all over the world.


				The Angera Fortress The Rocca di Angera is a rare sample of medieval fortified building fully preserved. The Visconti has started to build this imposing fortress from the annex including the “Hall of Justice”, with wonderfully painted wall, and from the “Castellana Tower”: at the top of this tower you can enjoy a rare enchanting panorama.