Stresa is a beautiful and elegant town on Lake Maggiore, at the foot of the Italian Alps.

The apartment "Vista Lago" has stunning views of virtually the whole lake and is very romantic. From the front terrace you can see Isola Bella and Isola Madre and Stresa old town and from the other side, you can see Laveno and the eastern side of the lake. This side also overlooks a wonderful sub-tropical garden filled with palms and flowering plants and the sound of birdsong. The terrace is large (30m2) and fully furnished with table and chairs and sunloungers and is partly shaded.

Secure garage available for one car but you do not need a car with this rental.

The apartment is stylishly but comfortably furnished and spacious (110m2) and is very well-equipped. There is parquet flooring throughout. The location is both very quiet and leafy, but is under a 5-minute walk from both the lake and the historic centre of Stresa with all its restaurants and shops.

It was recently renovated and finished to a high standard and has all the mod cons. Each room has a lake view and a view of 'Isola Bella'.

Free Wi-Fi Internet, air-conditioning and central heating and is available all year round.

It is located on the 1st floor in a purpose-built residence with lift.

The apartment comfortably accommodates up 4 people in one double bedroom and one twin-bedded (or double) room. 2 bathrooms - one with shower and bidet and one with large corner bath for 2 people + shower attachment and bidet. I have another apartment in the same residence with lake view which sleeps up to 6 people.

The living room has lovely views on the lake and leads to the terrace. It has a dining area for 6 people and a decorative fireplace. The kitchen is separate and well-equipped with dishwasher, electric oven and gas hob, washing machine, microwave, Gaggia electric Espresso/cappuccino machine, mini-oven, electric filter coffee machine, toaster and kettle. It also has a small table with 2 chairs.

The bedlinen and towels are changed at the end of the first week and the apartment is cleaned (no extra charge).

Milan Malpensa Airport is less than an hour's drive (31km) and 85 km from Milan itself. From the end of March to the end of September there is a bus service (Alibus) which takes you directly from Malpensa airport to the apartment in under an hour. It stops at the church on the lake, 5 minutes' walk from the apartment.

The bus-stop for the lakeside towns of Verbania and Arona is very near.

Stresa makes a perfect base from which to explore the wonders of Lago Maggiore: hop on any ferry to discover the magic of the Borromean Islands, the fascinating villas along the shore, the Piedmont towns of Arona and Intra and the picturesque towns on the other side of the lake in Lombardy. You can even take a full-day boat tour all the way up the lake to Switzerland (Ascona and Locarno). Stresa's railway station which is a 15-20 minute walk connects you easily with Milan (in under and hour), where you can shop, sightsee, or simply sip a coffee and watch the world go by in the famous Piazza del Duomo.

GPS Coordinates 45.882432, 8.543739

Website: italianlakes.rentals
chantalrowley@btinternet. com for other rentals on Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.