CNA - The jewels of Upper Piedmont: from the cento valli train to the splendor of the lakes

Arrival in Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, and boarding for the tour of the Borromean islands: Isola Bella, with its Renaissance garden; Isola Madre, with its lush English garden and the famous Palazzo Borromeo, dating back to the 16th century; Fishermen's Island, also known as Superior Island, the only one in the archipelago to still be inhabited. Transfer to Domodossola, hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight stay

Breakfast at hotel. Departure with the “Vigezzina-Centovalli” train, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Ossola Valley. Stop in Santa Maria Maggiore, the main center of what is also known as the Valley of the Painters or Valley of the Chimney Sweeps. Visit to the village and the Chimney Sweep Museum. The profession of the chimney sweep had its origins in the 14th century and was practiced until the middle of the last century. The young rusca (chimney sweepers), hired when they were still thin and able to climb into the chimneys to clean them, spent the cold winters far from their homes. families, always dirty with soot.

Lunch in restaurant

In the afternoon free time or time available to search for ancestors' documents in the archives and visit places of memory for Italian descendants with origins in the area.

Return to Domodossola in the evening and walk to discover the town, the hub of a border land, a crossroads of cultures and trade; the heart of the most authentic Ossola, a place full of ideas, in the center of the seven Ossola valleys. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Departure by bus for Brolo, the town of cats with stories, anecdotes and tales about felines! Walking around the village it will be very easy to see cats appearing, even on the many murals, up to a real monument to the cat!

Continuation to Omegna, walk through the alleys and the Nicoglia canal. Omegna is one of the most important centers of Made in Italy with regards to historic housewares brands such as Alessi, Lagostina and Piazza. In addition to being able to visit and buy at the shops, it is possible to visit the Forum, a multipurpose cultural center managed by the Arts and Industry Museum Foundation. Lunch in a restaurant during the excursion

Return to hotel, dinner and overnight

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for Orta, meeting and very short "crossing" by boat from beautiful Orta to the island of San Giulio, a scenic lake island in the center of the lake. You visit the frescoed basilica, including the crypt and take a short circular walk that follows the perimeter of the island with views and descents onto the lake. Return to Orta and after a walk, lunch in a restaurant. Afternoon visit to the sacred mountain of Orta which is located in an extraordinary landscape context.