No skorts in Stresa

Isola Pescatori on Lake Maggiore

I'll get to the skorts, but first to Stresa. Friends from Australia, Mary and Melissa, arrived in Milano last week for a brief stopover on their way to a Scandinavian adventure. After a quick tour of the 'must see' spots in Milano we whisked them away to Stresa for the weekend.

Admiring the Duomo in the early evening light.

We are discovering that one of the best things about Milano is that it's a convenient stopover with many international flights transiting through Malpensa airport. Even more appealing is Milano's central location so weekends away are very easy to organise. Stefano's colleagues recommended Stresa as a great spot to take visitors and it's only an hour away by train. We arrived there around midday slightly disappointed by the fairly ordinary scenery along the train route, but once we reached the famous promenade along the shore of Lake Maggiore our disappointment vanished rapidly.  Looking out to the beautiful Borromean Islands we decided to make the most of the sunny afternoon. A brief ferry trip took us to the most famous, and closest island, Isola Bella.  Like other slightly more well known couples, Napoleon and Josephine, Charles and Di, we strolled around this once rocky outcrop. For centuries the Italians have been gardening here transforming the tiny island into a spectacular garden which spreads out like a bride's veil from the magnificent palazzo.

We could have spent more time exploring the other islands as the largest, Isola Madre,  has an even more expansive garden but like the light we were fading from our afternoon of sightseeing. Luckily all that was needed was a refreshing glass of prosecco, or an aperol spritz for the more adventurous Mary, and we were revived in time to stroll into town for dinner leaving the Italians to their lakeside card games.

Our lucky weather streak changed on Sunday as we woke to a cool, wet morning. Plans to catch the cable car to the top of Monte Mottarone were abandoned, as was our brief ferry trip up the lake in search of more pretty towns. So instead we enjoyed a hearty lunch in Stresa before returning to Milano Centrale.

Although we didn't spot a skort in Stresa, they were seen on the streets of Milano this week.

Yes, it was fashion week in Milano with police controlling the crowds who flocked to the usually empty designer shops in the Quadrilatero d'Oro. Perhaps the crowds had something to do with the free Campari cocktails, or maybe it was the live mannequins in the window displays.

Next year if you're in Milano for fashion week let me know and I'll book one of these appropriately dressed Fiats, but you'll have to BYO skorts.

Così fino alla prossima settimana addio da Milano.