The Magic of Maggiore

Advantages: Romantic breathtaking scenery
Disadvantages: Expensive

...Lake Maggiore or Verbano as it is called locally contains three islands called The Isola Borromeos. We stayed in Stresa, which is a very elegant resort on the western side of the lake where you get a wonderful view of the three islands, and in particular Isola Bella. When we first visited the lake a few years ago we stayed at The Astoria Hotel and had a room at the front with a balcony overlooking this island. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and see the statues and towers of the Pallazo Borremeo suspended in the blue of the lake. The lake is 65km long and 372metres at the deepest point. It stretches from Locarno in Switzerland to Arona Italy. This time (Sept 03) we stayed at the Regina Palace which has wonderful food and service to match but it is more expensive and we could only get a room at the back overlooking the hills...

silver40 17.01.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lake Maggiore (Italy)

a tour of Lago Maggiore

Advantages: very nice sightseeing locations
Disadvantages: none

...The Lago Maggiore or Verbano as called by locals is located some 50 km northwest of Milan or just 20 from Malpensa International airport. Tis lake lays on area of glacial era origin. The north tip of the lake is belong to Switzerland while the west shore is in Piedmont region and the est in Lombardy region. All around the lake you will find a lot of old villas with gardens and parks. Our tour starts in Arona (on the west shore of the lake). ARONA Is a nice small city famous for a tall and big bronze statue of San Carlo Borromeo (the locals call this statue "San Carlone" that means big Charles)that was the archbishop of Milan around the end of 1500 century. This statue has been erected in 1697 on the top of an hill overlooking Arona and it is 36 meter tall. With a small fee in can enter inside the statue and climbing...

traveller55 30.04.2003 · Read review
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Review of Lake Maggiore (Italy)

A Covent Garden gem

Advantages: Location, atmosphere, food
Disadvantages: Can get expensive if you drink a lot

...Maggiores is on King Street, just off the north-west corner of the Piazza. Walk through the door off the busy street and you will find yourself in what seems to be a very small restaurant festooned with vegetation. But beyond the bar, it opens out into a large courtyard area with a fire, so can accommodate quite a few people. This area seems to be more lively - if you want a quiet romantic meal, ask for a table near the front. There is no formal non-smoking area but few people seem to smoke, at least in the front part. It isn't cheap - their set lunch is around £12, add a few pounds for the set dinner and a few more still if you prefer to go a la carte. Drinks can also get a bit expensive, though even the cheaper wines are very good and mineral water is fairly priced. For the area, it is very good value. What about the food...

MarkBrock 19.01.2004 · Read review
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Review of Maggiores, London

For an amazing romantic holiday

Advantages: Only 2 hours flight!
Disadvantages: None!

...My husband and I visited Lake Maggiore for our honeymoon a few years ago. I have to say for a romantic holiday nothing can beat it. Italy has fantastic culture, food, and people. There is plenty to see and do across the lake as well as taking in Milan (for a bit of luxury shopping) or Lake Como also as day trips. The weather in the summer - July / August - is just about perfect, a little breeze off the lake but plenty of sunshine (not too hot) to soak up. If you can get a room with a view over the lake then this is what I would recommend the sun rise and sun sets over the lake are absolutely amazing and if you are looking for a romantic holiday which is only a couple of hours on the plane - THIS IS THE PLACE X ps dont forget your camera!!!...

aliceellen1974 07.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Lake Maggiore (Italy)

Picture perfect

Advantages: Quaint, unspoiled beauty
Disadvantages: Not very exciting

...They say that few things in life are as beautiful as in a touched-up Photograph. For some places, you don't get the chance to see the photograph to find out. Ranco, on the East side of Lake Maggiore, is one of these. Lake Maggiore's West Side is the visited shore that features in almost every glossy holiday brochure, often described as 'a perfect holday spot'. And, indeed, it is beautiful - stunningly provovative, with the perfect blend on exciting city life in a place where you are at all times touched by the wonder of nature. Surrounded by rolling green hills, with the hustle and bustle of a modern town by day, and by night the lights of the cars and the hotels twinkle in a kaleidoscope of colour. But, to truely appreciate nature, surely you need to go a little further away from the towns, say to a conveniently located village...

franproc 15.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of Lake Maggiore (Italy)

Charolais Beef amoung the cherry blossom

Advantages: Very Good food and service; exceptional atmosphere
Disadvantages: Too many wines to choose from(!)

...Maggiores is truly one of those places that you discover and wonder whether you should keep it secret so that it doesn't become too overpopular. It is a very unique restuarant and the first time that you go there, you will certianly want to come back for more. Situated in Kings Street right next to Covent Garden, you would almost miss it when walking past, with a fairly unassuming exterior no different from many london restuarants. Upon stepping inside, however you are immediately greeted by the ever friendly staff, asking to take your coat and guide you to your table. The bar is right at the front and there are a few tables nearby which provide for a warm and cosy atmosphere. By far the best feature of Maggiore's however, is the conservatory, which houses most of the tables. This room is flanked on most sides by branches full...

Garth87 08.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Maggiores, London

When in...

Advantages: loads to see
Disadvantages: noisy and stuffy in summer

...I have visited Rome several times, always as a tourist. the best accommodation I found was in a family-run hotel (pensione, to be precise), where the hotel occupied floors of an apartment building. If you want to find it, it's a few streets behind the Baths of Diocletian. Things to see and do; some are obvious, such as the Colosseum and the forum, but watch out for the church of santa Maria Maggiore, Baths of Caracalla, the Tiber bridges, of which the oldest dates to 179bc, and the Parthenon. This last one is hidden in a maze of narrow streets towards the river, but is an architectural masterpiece. It was started by Marcus Agrippa, a friend of Augustus, and rebuilt about 150 years later by Hadrian. If you have time, it's also worth going out (bus 118) along the old Appian Way to see the tombs and the Christian catacombs; there's Hadrian...

Elagabulus 24.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Rome in general

Marble quarries

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...The first approach to the marble slopes takes you generally to Colonnata (532 metres high), an ancient hamlet said to have been founded to accomodate the slave who excavated the marble in Roman times. The quarries of Colonnata comprise the most important of the Apuan slopes and offer a supeerb view of the majestic marble pieces on the slopes of the Mountains Serrone Maggiore an Spallone. At the summit of the same mountain you find the slope of Gioia: this is an eyecatching quarry complex unique in the world. The Fantiscritti quarries are reached by following the River Carrione to the Vara bridges. For 100 years, these have permitted trains to carry marble, today converted into a road which crosses the Vara Tunnel. Known as a Fantiscritti because it is from here that the famous Roman bas-relief came. The marble extracted from this...

giannit 16.09.2000 · Read review
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Review of Carrara (Italy)

Hotel Palace Bolgna- Old World Charm

Advantages: centrally located, large rooms, excellent value
Disadvantages: some rooms on the top floor too hot in winter

...I know the Palace Hotel in Bologna because I stayed there every year when we had our annual teachers' conference. I would say it is a superior three star hotel. First the location- it is very central just a few minutes walk from the main square Piazza Maggiore. It is tucked away in a small street off the main Via dell'Indipendenza. The organisation I worked for chose the hotel I think because of its central location and also because it has a large number of rooms. All are comfortable and perfectly well appointed. There is a certain old world style reception area. The quality price trade -off is just right. Breakfast is usually included and is more than adequate. They had a full breakfast bar the last time I was there and you can order coffee or tea from the staff. They have great cornetti as well which are fresh every morning...

wellness5 10.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Palace Hotel, Bologna

The world's capital of silk

Advantages: the Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy and Como is a very good place to buy silk products
Disadvantages:

...Como is a beautiful town, of approximately 80.000 inhabitants, located on border of the Lario, the ancient name of the Lake Como. Lake Como, one of the most romantic places in Italy, is the third largest lake in Italy, after Garda Lake and Lake Maggiore. Lake Como is located 25 miles north of Milan. Como and Milan are connected by bus and train. The city of Como is a center of artistic and cultural importance, combined with important industrial and commercial activity, and is famous for the production of precious silk, exported throughout the world. In Como there are many attractions and you find many museums and historical sites to visit. The most important touristic attractions are in the so called "Città Murata", the historic center of Como: square San Fedele with the famous Dôme, a splendid Cathedral of the Renaissance...

Romario_ 29.06.2006 · Read review
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Review of Como (Italy)