Lake Maggiore

I have died and gone to heaven. Stresa, perched in the middle of Lake Maggiore in Northwestern Italy, it’s amazing, absolutely beautiful. I wanted to pinch myself after arriving here. My hotel is right on the lake, I have a balcony and my view is North, looking out to the mountains. To describe my current state of affairs, I am sitting on my balcony, slight chill in the air and I’m wrapped in my favorite new sweater purchase from Milan, I can see the silhouette of the mountains in the background, as the half-moon is now just over head and casts enough light to make them out. There is a bottle of chianti to my right and my glass is ever so close to my hand! I wish I could say there were birds, or just silence, but I think the dishwasher is stationed three floors below, so every often I hear plates and silverware clanging, not too bad though, doesn’t take away from it, that’s for sure (maybe the wine helps). Aside from that…I have found a place I may never leave, especially if I could secure one of the many villas lining the lake. I think I have found my “Under the Tuscan Sun” situation. Wow. I haven’t even toured around yet, but I could walk along the flowers and the trees along the lake forever. I plan on venturing off to discover the three islands on the lake tomorrow, then I’m not too sure, if it’s nice, maybe I’ll attempt a tan, although the outdoor swimming pool is empty and I would feel a little strange laying out next to an empty pool. I haven’t completely lost my mind; at least not yet.