Please respond by September 30th, 2026 so we can finalize numbers with the villa and the boat. The form at the bottom of this page takes two minutes.

Yes — the venue is a 10 minute walk and 3 minute drive. Shuttles will run between Hotel La Palma and Villa Muggia before the ceremony and after the party.

Early June on Lake Maggiore is usually warm and sunny — low-to-mid 70s °F, occasionally warmer — with cooler evenings by the water. Bring a layer for after dark.

This will be an adults-only celebration. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to raising a glass with you.

Celebrating with us in Italy means the world, and making the trip is already a generous gift. Please don’t feel any expectation to give us anything more.

The welcome party, wedding, and farewell dinner will be outside with a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Parts of the wedding will be held on the grass, so we would highly recommend grass-appropriate footwear!

A few favourites from our planner. Reservations are wise in summer, and essential on the islands.

On the islands

Ristorante Belvedere · Isola dei Pescatori. A garden terrace at the water’s edge — and where we’ll all be for the farewell dinner. In the evening they send a private boat from Stresa, Baveno or Carciano.

Ristorante Verbano · Isola dei Pescatori. A terrace looking straight across to Isola Bella, lovely at sunset, with lake fish at the centre of the menu.

Ristorante Italia · Isola dei Pescatori. Run by a family of fishermen, so the lake fish is as fresh as it gets, served in a restored white villa at the tip of the island.

Elvezia · Isola Bella. Intimate island dining, best in the evening once the day visitors have gone and the island is almost your own.

In Stresa

Al Buscion · Via Principessa Margherita, old town. A cosy wine bar and bistrot with a deep list by the glass and boards of local salumi and cheese. Easy and informal.

Trattoria La Botte · Via Garibaldi, historic centre. A small family-run trattoria listed in the Michelin Guide. Seating is limited, so book ahead.

Lo Stornello · Via Cavour, near the lakefront. Refined yet relaxed, built on lake fish and Ossola valley produce, with a pretty summer terrace. Also in the Michelin Guide.

In the hills

La Rampolina · Campino, above Stresa. A local institution with a panorama over the Borromean gulf — homemade pasta, Fassona beef, and a garden for aperitivo. Reached by car.

Aperitivo and rooftops

Sky Bar · Hotel La Palma. A rooftop terrace over the lake, right where most of us are staying. A fine spot for a spritz before dinner.

Rooftop Perlage · Boutique Hotel Stresa. Sunset views across the gulf with a cocktail in hand.

Stresa makes a relaxed base — walkable, full of cafés and gelaterie, and a few minutes by boat from the Borromean Islands.

On the water

The Borromean Islands. Isola Bella holds the Borromeo palace and its baroque terraced gardens, where white peacocks wander. Isola Madre is the largest, with an English-style botanical garden. Isola dei Pescatori is a working fishing village of narrow lanes, artisan shops and lakeside restaurants. Reachable by public ferry or private boat.

A private boat tour. The loveliest way to see the gulf — circle the islands, glide past the grand lakeside villas, and stop for an aperitivo on the water as the afternoon turns gold.

Castelli di Cannero. Two medieval island fortresses that rise straight out of the water near the Swiss border. They opened to visitors in 2025 after a long restoration, reached by boat with an audio guide.

Santa Caterina del Sasso. A monastery built into the cliffs on the eastern shore, reached by boat. Dramatic, peaceful, and well worth the crossing.

Gardens and grand villas

Villa Taranto · Verbania, by ferry. One of the finest botanical gardens in Italy, with winding paths and rare plants. The blooms are at their best between April and October.

Parco Pallavicino · walkable from Stresa. A park and garden with animals and open lawns.

Up to the mountain

Mount Mottarone. The summit looks out over the Alps and several lakes at once, one of the great views in northern Italy. About forty minutes from Stresa along the panoramic road — the historic cable car is being rebuilt, so access for now is by car or private transfer. At the top there are walking trails and the Alpyland alpine coaster, and the Alpinia botanical garden sits partway up.

Towns worth a wander

The Stresa lakefront. A palm-lined promenade made for a slow evening walk, with the islands floating just offshore.

Orta San Giulio. About forty minutes by car — a medieval village on neighbouring Lake Orta, with the tiny island of San Giulio in the middle of the water. A romantic half day.

Cannobio. A charming town toward the Swiss border, with cobbled lanes and a well-loved Sunday market along the lake.

Rocca di Angera. A Borromeo castle on the southern lake, home to a surprising doll and toy museum, with wide views from the ramparts.

For the active

Sailing, kayaking and swimming through the warmer months; lakeside cycling and mountain trails around Mottarone; golf at the courses near Stresa; and Milan is about an hour by train if you want the Duomo and the shops.

Getting here

Fly into Milan Malpensa, about an hour from Stresa by car. Linate and Bergamo are also options. By train, Stresa is roughly an hour from Milano Centrale on the line toward the Simplon. Private transfers can be arranged — see the Travel section above.

Passports and ETIAS

US guests need a valid passport, ideally with at least six months left beyond the trip. No visa is needed for stays under ninety days. The EU is introducing ETIAS, a quick online travel authorisation, so closer to the date check europa.eu to see whether it applies to you. On arrival you may also pass through the new automated biometric border gates.

When to book

Early is best. May through September is the busiest stretch on the lake, so lock in flights and rooms as soon as your plans are set.

Weather and packing

Spring and autumn are mild, summer is warm, and evenings by the water can turn cool in any season. Bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones and gardens, something dressier for the celebrations, a wrap for the evenings, and sun protection.

Money and tipping

Italy uses the Euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, though a little cash is handy for small cafés, markets and tips. Tipping is not obligatory — rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated. Check the bill, as a small cover charge is common in Italy.

Language

Italian is the local language, and English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops around the lake.

Getting around

Stresa is walkable. Ferries connect the towns and islands, and private boats and transfers work well for groups. Taxis are limited, so book ahead.

Phones and plugs

Italy uses 230 volts with type F and L sockets, so bring an adapter. For data, an eSIM or an EU roaming plan keeps you connected.