Page 56 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

54 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

5 Sacro Monte della
SS Trinità di Ghiffa
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont; 28055
Set in a stunning position with views
across the lake to the foothills of the
Alps, the 17th-century complex on
this sacred mountain is incomplete,
with three main chapels and two
smaller ones flanking the central
sanctuary. They were built between
1605 and 1617 and contain depictions
of biblical scenes, including the
baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist,
with God looking down from above.
ª Return to SS34 and turn right
towards Verbania. After 6 km (4 miles),
once in Intra, follow signs to Villa
Taranto, where there is a car park.

Val Cannobina
Explore the secluded Val Cannobina
up to Traffiume and Orrido di
Sant’Anna, a small gorge spanned by
Top Lago Maggiore and Verbania, ringed by a Roman bridge. This pretty riverside
path is an 8-km (5-mile) round trip
forest-clad hills Above Ferry taking visitors 4 Cannobio and navigable on foot or by bike.
across Lago Maggiore Above right Fresco at Piedmont 28822 Bikes can be hired from Cicli Prezan
Varese’s Sacro Monte An attractive village close to the Swiss (Viale V Veneto, 9, Cannobio 28822;
border, Cannobio is a relaxed holiday 0323 712 30). There are many picnic
VISITING CANNOBIO
resort, popular with families. It has a spots and a restaurant (see right).
Parking good beach, a wide choice of
There are several well signposted pay- watersports and plenty of cycle trails
and-display car parks; Piazza Martiri della and hikes inland. Accommodation and 6 Verbania
Libertà at the northern end is the largest.
restaurant options are dotted among Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont; 28922
Tourist Information the pretty, stepped lanes. The town is Mussolini merged the villages of
Via A Giovanola 25; 0323 71212; also famous for its statue of the Virgin Suna, Intra and Pallanza under the
www.procannobio.it
Mary said to have started bleeding in Roman name for the lake, Verbania.
VISITING VARESE 1522. The Santuario della Santissima This is an attractive town with narrow
Tourist Information Pietà was built at the site in 1578. shop-lined lanes in the centre. The key
Via Romagnosi 9, Piazza del Podestà, ª Take SS34 south to Ghiffa. Then draw is the Villa Taranto (open mid–
21100; 0332 28191; turn right, following signs to Sacro Mar–end Oct). In 1931, capitalizing on
www.varesecittagiardino.it Monte up steep lanes to the car park. the region’s microclimate, Neil
Funicular McEacharn, a retired Scottish captain,
www.varesefunicolari.org Below Alfresco seating on one of the café-lined began landscaping a botanical
streets in Verbania garden with species from around the
WHERE TO STAY
CANNOBIO
Pironi moderate
A friendly hotel in a 15th-century former
monastery with comfortable rooms.
Via Marconi 35, 28822; 0323 70170;
www.pironihotel.it; closed Oct–Feb
Residenza Patrizia moderate
This modern hotel is near the beach.
Via Vittorio Veneto 9, 28822; 0041 41
410 7830; www.residenzapatrizia.com
AROUND VARESE
Borducan moderate
This is a historic antique-filled hotel
set in a Liberty villa on the hillside.
Via Beata C Moriggi 43, 21100; 0332 22
05 67; www.borducan.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–200; expensive, over €200

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