Hi Cuties, it's 4.00pm in Stresa, as I write this to you on Sunday afternoon.

We've had an awesome time here, arrived here yesterday after sitting on the train in Domodossola for 2 hours - there was a tree that had fallen across the train tracks and they had to get staff out to it to safely remove it.

We didn't mind as we had nowhere to be at a particular time. We just rang our Hotel and told them we'd probably be in around 2.00ish, and that's what happened. Trev in his wisdom has booked Hotels for us withing walking distance to our Hotels.

I can tell you the difference between the Swiss trains and the Italian trains is amazing. The Swiss trains and stations are spotless, the Italian trains are nice inside but a lot of Graffiti on them, also the train stations are very old and in some cases dilapidated!

Never mind, when we got into Stresa all that flew out the window. Stresa on Lake Maggiore in the upper left hand side of Italy is stunning! We've been out all day visiting the 3 major islands off Stresa by ferry boats.

We toured through the two major castles/grand villas etc on Isola Madre, (Mother Island) and Isola Bella which has the old castle of Carlo Borromeo, who was the Archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584 and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. In that role he was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminaries for the education of priests. He is honoured as a saint by the Catholic Church, with a feast day on 4 November.

In the bottom of the castle are Grottoes made out of seashells and stones etc. Unbelievable!!! The size of the rooms are just mind-blowing and the Chandeliers are exquisite made from Murano glass!!!

The Castle is fascinating, I could just imagine children running around playing hide and seek and getting lost for hours, as there are so many rooms and at least 3 stories high. The gardens are just beautiful and it's such a temperate climate so many exotic plants and trees grow here. We are off to have a siesta as it's quite warm and no one comes out for dinner until after 7.00pm! There are so many pictures, but I'll just send a few. Love Chris


1. Our Hotel La Palma
2. Trev and I enjoying a Cappuccino at Isola Madre
3. Leaving Isola Bella by ferry boat.
4. Domed shell and stone Grotto
5. Chandelier in Isola Bella from Murano glass
6. Domed ceiling in Isola Madre home.
7. Vaulted ceiling in Isola Bella castle
8. Massive 3 story ballroom in Isola Bella castle!!!!!