By boat and train

An interesting way of visiting Lake Maggiore and the Vigezzo Valley is by train and boat, so that one can see beautiful views. There are numerous possibilities to see the whole area. From Stresa or Baveno one can reach the Borromean islands by boat and visit the botanical gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre and stop to explore the characteristic village on the Fishermans island. The boats also stop at Carciano for the cable car to Mount Mottarone, and at Santa Caterina to visit the Sanctury which is on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore.

The Lake Maggiore Express is a fantastic journey! It is a combination of boat and train, taking in both the Italian and Swiss parts of Lake Maggiore plus the Centovalli and Vigezzo Valley (Valley of the Painters) between Locarno and Domosossola.

This is a circular tour which can be done two different ways:
Is is possible to leave from Baveno or Stresa by train to Domodossola, changing to the narrow gauge railway along the Vigezzo Valley and Centovalli as far as Locarno and returning by boat, or the other way round starting with the boat from Baveno or Stresa to Locarno and returning by train to Domodossola and connecting with the Italian State railway to Baveno or Stresa.During this journey one can admire the Borromean Gulf, the Cannero islands with the ruins of the Castles, the town of Locarno and the alpine valleys between Locarno and Domodossola.

Verbano Viaggi can book your journey and issue all the tickets for the Lake Maggiore Express, the Lake Maggiore ferry service and the Mottarone cable car plus the entrance tickets to the Borromean palaces.