Italy: Lago Maggiore Rowing Wellness Retreat

Arrive in Cannero.  There will be one pick up organized from Milan's Malpensa airport plus a train station near the tour region.  Settle into your charming accommodation for the week.  We kick thinks off with a late afternoon boat cruise, enjoying the scenery, sipping Prosecco and nibbling on appetizers.  Meet your guides and support team and get an orientation to the trip.  Back on land, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.  

Every day will start with a short wellness session on the outdoor terrace of the hotel.  Stretch and welcome the morning, then gain insights into health eating and lifestyles.  Now for some rowing.  After breakfast we will catch the ferry and head to the rowing club where our boats are waiting for us. Our first excursion carries us south along the eastern shore of Lago Maggiore. We will stop for lunch and a visit in beautiful Calde or Castelveccana.  It is a short walk up to the chapel of Santa Veronica, charming in itself and offering superb views of the lake and it's beautiful setting.  We can see the rowing club across the way near our hotel - off we go, leaving the boats in Cannero, ready for tomorrow's fun. This afternoon you could choose to relax around the pool or head onto a nearby trail for as long a walk as you wish. Another delightful dinner shared together. Anticipated rowing distance – 18 km.

Our row today heads north to the town of Cannobio. Of course there is amazing coffee and delicious gelato to enjoy during a stroll through the narrow backstreets and broad waterfront promenade.  There might even be the chance for a little shopping.  We will return for lunch at the hotel. The highlight of the afternoon is a guided visit to the gardens at Villa Taranto in Verbania. The botanical gardens cover 16 hectares and are known to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Tonight dinner will be on your own.  We will help you with the different choices.  Anticipated rowing distance – 13 km.

Our plans today are to row south, past the gardens we enjoyed yesterday, then exploring the western most bay of the lake.  Bring a change of clothes - after a light lunch we load into the vans and head to our afternoon and evening cooking class with an Italian chef.  Mamma mia! You’ll eat what you prepare and it will be delicious! Transport back to the hotel - perhaps there will be some snoozing in the van on the way home?

From the western corner of Lago Maggiore we will row the boats home to Luino.  The highlight will be passing the famous Isole Borromeo. There are three islands, some with hotels and restaurants, others with pallazo and gardens. Those Italians sure understand the good life.  Of course we think that it is a good life to be rowing in such a beautiful location.  Ferry back to the hotel to enjoy another fine dinner.  

For our last day of rowing we have the opportunity to explore a different lake and maybe even row into Switzerland.  No passport required.  Our Luino friends have a base on Lago Lugano at Ponte Tresa.  This is on the Italian part of the lake, but Swiss waters are very close. We can row as much or as little as the group desires. On the way back to Cannero we will stop in Locarno - is Swiss gelato as good as Italian? Then it is time for our farewell dinner at the hotel.  

Today we leave Cannero, taking with us beautiful memories, new friends and the secrets of La Dolce Vita.  Benissimo!