Lake Maggiore — A Romantic Dream Getaway

The Italian Lakes, a name coined for a chain of alpine lakes in Northern Italy, evoke images of picturesque lakeside vistas, pretty gardens and elegant villas – a picture perfect backdrop for a dream romantic getaway.

Lake Maggiore is the second largest of all lakes in the area stretching from the region of Lombardy to Piemonte and spreading towards a small portion of the Swiss Alps. It is a favorite of many vacationers and usually gets a little too crowded especially during the summer months. However, despite the crowd, a visit to the lakeside towns of Maggiore and its many attractions is well worth doing.

Lago Maggiore, as it is known in Italian, is accessible by train from the major cities of Milan and Turin. So, visitors from these popular Italian cities can easily head up to the celebrated lake. Moving around the area is also not a problem. Several steamers service the lake, providing access to many interesting lakeside towns and islands. Buses also run frequently in the area.

Perhaps the most popular of all Maggiore destinations is the lakeside resort town of Stresa. Its villas are stunning and celebrated for their stylish design and luxurious accommodation. Open balconies and picture perfect gardens are part and parcel of Stresa charm. There’s also the cable car facility that brings visitors to Monte Mottarone. At 4,000 feet in the air, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Alps and the neighboring lakes.

My personal favorite of all Maggiore destinations is the lakeside town of Locarno located at the Swiss side of the lake. The Santuario della Madonna del Sasso Church perched on a steep cliff against the blue waters of the lake and the dark outline of the mountains is a splendid picture visitors will find enchanting. You also get to ride a funicular on your way to the church – an experience in itself.

Not far away from Locarno is Valle Maggia. The drive itself is the highlight of the trip. It will take you through meandering roads along the Maggia River through Valle Maggia and right into the Swiss Alps. The view along the way is the most scenic in the region with glimpses of vast meadows, spectacular waterfalls and charming villages.

On your way, make a short detour to the pretty town of Ascona. Its lovely waterfront promenade, with a fantastic view of the Alps, is perfect for a laid back stroll and a romantic meal is not far away in the quaint cafes and restaurants that can be found in the area.

Finally, do not miss out on Val Bavona where time seems to have stopped. The alpine landscape is at its most stunning in this area but what is even more remarkable are the buildings which all seem to have been made out of gleaming stone and granite.

After meandering about, head back to Locarno and cap off your day with a pleasant dinner while you witness the sunset’s beautiful display of colors against the calm waters of Lake Maggiore.

Superbissima Valleta

Supperbissima – “most proud” – is an apt description of Valletta, a small Mediterranean island in Malta just south of Sicily. The city stands tall and proud with its quintessentially Baroque construction surrounded by formidable fortification.  Valletta’s founding dates back to 1566, when the first stone was laid by Jean Parisot de la Vallete of the religious Order of St. John – for whom the city was named after. Since then Valletta has grown into a beautiful city of gorgeous churches and imposing palaces. Unfortunately, the city’s architectural treasures suffered much destruction during World War II.  Major restoration projects were then carried out and Valltetta has been restored to its former glory.   When approaching from the sea, visitors will notice the outstanding fortification that seems to embrace the city. Unlike other fortifications which are nothing but a crude wall of stone, Valletta’s wall is a stunning expanse (standing at 330 feet high) artfully decorated by bastions, ravelins and curtains, which make it quite a sight to see.    Since the city was built and established by a religious order, it is a treasure trove of churches that are among the oldest and most opulent in the world. Grand palaces also abound in Valletta, thanks to men of nobility that were the city’s founders and builders. One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of architectural treats when visiting the capital of Malta.  Its museums were former palaces that house historically relevant and remarkable masterpieces of art, armory collections and archeological finds. For one, the National Museum of Archaeology should not be missed. It displays exceptional exhibits of artifacts from Malta’s prehistoric period some of which were considered as the first man-made free-standing structures on earth.   For a picture-perfect over view of the harbor, the Upper Barrakka Gardens is the place to be. The Lower Barrakka Gardens, on the other hand, offer a beautiful panorama of some of Valletta’s landmarks such as Fort Ricasoli, Fort St. Angelo and Bighi Palace interlaced by the Vittoriosa and Kalkara creeks.   If you can’t wait to leave a bus terminal when traveling, you will not feel the same seeing Valletta’s bus terminus. A charming watchtower stands sentry overlooking the terminal of white and yellow buses and at the center of the main terminus is the Triton Fountain. Visitors can sit back and rest their feet in one of the many little cafes and shops in the area and still enjoy some of the city’s visual charms.   The Valletta Waterfront is perfect for a romantic evening. It is located near Floriana and composed of a long line of warehouses dating back about 250 year. These warehouses were given a chic face lift and now look elegant and graceful with their pastel exterior and stylish furnishings. Add the beautiful reflection on water of the buildings with their soft lighting and the mood is set for a wonderful evening.   Moving around Valletta shouldn’t be a problem. Although the streets within the city center are mostly pedestrian and entrance of motor vehicles is limited, there are plenty of hop-on hop-off buses that will take you to all major destinations easily and cheaply.  Also, walking is a great way to experience the city.  Bringing rental cares to Valletta should be avoided if possible since parking can be expensive (billed depending on parking duration) and private cars may not be allowed within the city center.

Kamakura — Witnessing The Ancient Majesty Of Japan

Less than an hour’s ride from the busy metropolis of Tokyo is the serene town of Kamakura. It was once the center of Japan’s exciting past, dominated by the military fervor and religious zeal of the shoguns and their followers.

Now, Kamakura continues to represent the proud heritage of its past as reflected in the many shrines and temples that can be found in the area.

It’s accessibility from Tokyo makes it a wonderful day-trip destination for visitors who want a short respite from the city’s neon lights and hectic humdrum. Moreover, Kamakura’s 84 Shinto Shrines and Buddhist temples are idyllic for those seeking a place of serenity and tranquility.

The Zen temple of Engaku-ji is one of the most visited temples in Kamakura. It is located on the northern fringes of the town. Built in 1282 by Buddhist monks, the temple is surrounded by towering trees and visitors are treated to an endless symphony of songs from the many birds who inhabit the area. Of historical note the temple is said to house a tooth of Buddha.

My personal favorite of all Zen temples in the area is the Hase-dera Temple located in western Kamakura. Nestled on the side of Mt. Kannon, the temple features a perfect setting to view Yuigahama Beach and Sugiyama Bay.

With its many artfully arranged gardens, Hase-dera is one of the most beautiful of all temples in the area. More than its physical beauty, the temple is significant to thousands of Buddhist pilgrims because it houses a religious relic showing the 11 stages of enlightenment – Japan’s tallest wooden sculpture that dates back to 721.

In stark contrast to the gentle and subdued design of Zen temples is the shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu. The shrine was built in 1180 to honor the god of war for guiding Yoritomo Minamoto to crush his competition and secure the shogunate for himself. It features conspicuous vermillion structures and imposing torii gates. It is also home to a lone ginkgo tree of massive proportions believed to be more than a thousand year old.

Not to be missed is Kamakura’s most famous figure, the Daibutsu or the Great Buddha that dates back to 1252. This bronze statue stands  44 feet tall and weighs 100 tons. Every 8th of April, the vicinity bears witness to a flood of pious pilgrims paying their respects to this icon of Buddhism. If you happen to be in the area, watch out for sachets of ama-cha or sweet tea distributed by monks. Ama-cha is believed to contain magical properties that confer good health to those who partake of it.

Spring is the perfect season to visit Kamakura, when the cherry blossoms are vibrantly blooming and the streets are buzzing with the excitement of festivities and celebrations. Visitors can join in the fun of parades and street dancing or just be eager spectators to re-enactments of the city’s colorful past.

Do not miss the dance performance entitled Shizuka-no-Mai, a re-telling of a beautiful but tragic love story of Princess Shizuka, believed to have transpired 800 years ago. An impressive display of skills in horseback archery known as yabusame is also something that visitors will find impressive and entertaining.

Sirmione Getaway Lake Garda Italy

Lake Garda in Northern Italy is the largest of the celebrated Italian Lakes. Aside from its sheer size, it is also famous for its dramatic landscape of rolling hills and towering mountains surrounding the lake.

The town of Desenzano del Garda gets the most concentration of tourists because it is located right on a major railway. Although a practical choice, visitors looking for more impressive sights may want to head out north and stay in the more breathtaking lakeside towns. Take the boat and be on your way to other exciting destinations around the vast expanse of Lake Garda, one of which is the pretty lakeside town of Sirmione.

The popular resort town of Sirmione is just a short boat ride away from Desenzano del Garda. The magnetic pull of this lakeside town dates back to the Roman times when it was used as a spa by members of nobility. Today the thermal springs of Sirmione remain popular among visitors from all over the world. The Roman ruins of Villa Romana, found here, add to the already charming character of the area.

You might want to time your visit out of season. It can get pretty crowded during the summer months and a full exploration of the area may not be as enjoyable with countless tourists milling about.

The historical center is a must visit. With its fairy tale castle, Sirmione makes for an exciting and picturesque destination. Walking around the historical center is the only way you can explore the area. Its narrow winding lanes may seem like an overwhelming maze but all you have to do is follow the signposts and sooner or later you are out into the promontory to enjoy a panoramic view of the lake.

The 13th century castle of Rocca Scaligera is one of the iconic attractions of Sirmione. Although the castle is nothing but an empty fortress, it is still worth visiting. Its ramparts are ideal for a laid back stroll and climbing its tower is also quite thrilling.

The Villa Romana, remnants of the Roman world gone past, is located at the end of the promontory or the headland. You can easily reach it by following the signposts that can be found all over Sirmione’s historical center. The ruins also feature a small museum, delightful olive groves and beautiful views of the lake – making it a delightful place to visit and explore.

Although a boat ride is a more enchanting way of reaching and leaving Sirmione, the town is also accessible by bus. It is in fact within the route of buses between the towns of Brescia and Verona. Since these two towns are serviced by a budget airport and are easily accessible by train from other major Italian towns, visitors can easily drop by Sirmione and leave as they please.

If you want to maximize the Italian railway route, the nearest train stations in the area are in the nearby lakeside towns of Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera.

Sirmione Getaway Lake Garda Italy