Just across the lake from Golfo Gabella is Cannobio, a bustling lakeside town teaming with restaurant lined piazzas, piled high bowls of pasta and glass upon glass of Aperol Spritz.  On a Sunday, there’s a market at Cannobio that snakes along the edge of the lake which is full of locals and visitors alike snapping up a new pair of shoes or some keepsakes to take home in their suitcase.  There’s a water taxi that leaves from just outside the Reception of Golfo Gabella at 10am and costs appx 10 euro each way to cross the lake heading back at 2:30pm and 3:30pm.

If you’re living your sweet slow Sunday morning life (welcome to my life) there’s always the ferry stop just a 5-10 minute walk from the resort that costs appx 7euro for a return trip across to Cannobio.  You have to book your return time when you take the ferry across or you can buy a single ticket and return in your own time.  The market can get really busy so I’d recommend heading there early morning or, later on in the afternoon just before the stalls begin to shut up shop and you can experience Cannobio with and without the market.  Once the stalls are down that slow and easy Italian life seeps back in and people watching with a view of the lake at golden hour was a particular highlight of our trip.

Rent a Private Boat

Is it possible to visit the Italian Lakes and not venture onto the lake at least once?  Nope, it is not.  When we booked the trip, Violet was desperate to get us both on a boat after having such an amazing experience on Lake Garda where she was married.  And when I mean, on a boat, I don’t mean sitting back taking in the sights as someones else takes hold of the wheel.  She wanted us to take a motorboat out ourselves.  I was sold (although a little scared).  Golfo Gabella offer boat rental on site but as we visited a little out of season (mid September) and wind was high, we decided to hire the boat on a whim whilst in Cannobio and the wind had settled.

The 40. Hp boats don’t require a boating license and cost around 80 euros for the hour.  A little bit of negotiation and being out of season seemed to work in our favour and we managed to get 2 hours for just 90 euros in Cannobio.  Although a little daunting at first, being behind the wheel of that little boat and navigating our way around Lake Maggiore was one of my favourite parts of the holidays and completely took me out of my comfort zone.  With two hours on the water, it’s even possible to stop for a quick dip in the lake as the locals do before heading back to land.

Golfo Gabella also offer kayak hire during your stay which would be another amazing way to see the Lake.

Breakfast in Maccagno

The beauty of staying in an apartment is that if, like me, you’re not the best morning person, you can stumble out of bed, brew a coffee and enjoy a pasticceria bought croissant whilst still in your PJs and just woken up hair.There is something to a barista made coffee and the freshly baked warmth of a coffee shop croissant surrounded by the comings and goings of local life.

A short walk uphill into Maccagno is Pasticceria Gelateria Cerinotti opposite the supermarket and a small cafe where a glass of red wine will set you back just over a euro.  My kinda place. Grab yourself a seat outside on the roadside, a cappuccino and a croissant al cioccolato and watch the world go by for half an hour or so.

Swim in the Lake

You can’t go to either of the Italian Lakes and not take a dip in the lake. Lake Maggiore is renowned in Italy for the numerous beach areas situated all along the shores of the lake with Cannobio and Cannero Riviera’s beaches receiving a “Blue Flag” for strict water quality and safety standards in 2010.

In Maccagno the Tronzano beach is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, albeit, in September it was a little bit chilly (“its fine once you’re in, I promise” said Violet).

Ride a Bike

Exploring a mountainous area on bike sounds like my idea of hell.  Give me a flat strip of road and I’m all good with the wind in my hair but give me an uphill stretch and I’m red in the face and panting already, NOT the kinda “Charl unwinding in Italy” vibe I want to to achieve.  E-bikes however are another story.  Available from  the reception of Golfo Gabella they make the steepest hill feel like not much effort at all and are the ideal way to get around the local area of Maccagno.  The bikes also come with a lock and key meaning we had the flexibility of taking 5 minutes out to take a pit stop to admire the views, stop for a spot of lunch or grab a soft drink before going on your way (what else?  I don’t drink and ride.)

Traditional Italian Cooking Class

I love Italian food.  Love love love Italian food.  Pass me a big bowl of pasta, a beautiful risotto or cone of gelato and I’ll be happy.  For our final evening on Lake Maggiore l, our hosts Bookings for You arranged for us to be were treated to a traditional Italian Cooking Glass in our apartment with head chef and owner Alessio from the restaurant Osteria D’Alberto in nearby Luino.

I’m not the best cook but I love to watch people who can cook, cook and even more than that, I love to see and hear the passion that people who cook have about food and the dishes they’re preparing.  Alessio began our class with a glass of Prosecco (I liked him already) and as he taught us how to prepare classic Italian dishes from scratch, gnocchi  with ragu, porcino risotto and tiramisu, he talked to us about the history of the area as well as recommend places in the area for cheese, wine and food.  Understandably, Osteria D’Alberto was top of the list and had we been in Maccagno for longer, we’d have been there the very next evening because the food we prepared and ate on the balcony of our apartment was delicious.  The five of us chatted late into the evening over a glass of red wine and it felt more like an evening cooking with friends rather than a class, but isn’t that the best thing about Italian food?  It’s more of a social occasion.  So, Gnocchi party at my house, anyone?