On the south of Lake Maggiore, Le Robinie Golf Club is the unique course designed by the 'Golden Bear' Jack Nicklaus in Italy.

An area immersed in nature and history

Luino: from the highlands of Lake Maggiore, passing through Colmegna, to Maccagno

Hikes among lakes, villages and mountains: the 2026 calendar of outings with CAI and Fondazione Varese Welcome

A land to explore on 2 wheels...

One of the most relevant and strategic advanced projects for contemporary Luino, redefining the relationship between the city and the lake. The idea of the "lakeside park" project was to transform a car park on the lake into a verdant public garden on the shore of Lake Maggiore. The pedestrian promenade is the guiding thread of a homogeneous route capable of giving continuity and linking the park to the lake with different poles through the use of continuous and uniform paving, lighting fixtures, colour and distinctive street furniture. The lawn is a modelled surface, an undulating plane like the lake, which becomes the connecting fabric of the various 'green narratives' that design the park and a space for rest and relaxation. The lakeside park appeals to a wide range of users, from different age groups, in particular to children, for which games have been placed on anti-trauma flooring, along a path that encompasses the entire intervention area. Different types of luminaires were also used to accommodate the different architectural conditions through low energy lamps such as LED and fluorescent lamps. The project of this waterfront recovers the link with water through a sustainable and intelligent use of water resources, consistent with the overall image of the urban landscape. Water as an ecosystem becames fundamental element of the mutant landscape entrusted to a miscellany of crops for educational purposes and direct experimentation for young users. In concrete terms, therefore, water features consisting of flush fountains and systems integrated into the vegetation are used. The wide steps that design the discent to the lake are organised in such a way as to become now simple curbs that design the turf, now wide seats and horizontal paths that cross the park. Reclaiming this piece of the city, previously a 'non-place' - in that it was not lived in, except by cars - has meant the transformation of this area on the fringes of the urban context and life in Luino, to translate it into a valuable opportunity for tourist and recreational development.

This church is one of the points that remain more etched in the memory of the travelers who travel the Varese-Laveno

Peasant roots in traditional taverns

We continue to Leggiuno, a small town in the Province of Varese overlooking the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore nestled between the municipalities of Laveno Mombello, Monvalle, Besozzo and Sanzano and bathed by lake waters opposite the famous Borromean Islands.   Situated in a hilly area (its name deriving from the Celtic leze dunum, meaning “at the foot of a hill”), the village is a popular summer destination for tourists looking for refreshment.Birthplace of legendary footballer Gigi Riva, it owes its fame to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a 12th century monastery that overlooks the waters of lake, which can be reached both on foot and using the Navigazione Laghi ferries. Built in the Middle Ages as a hermitage, it was founded by Alberto Besozzi, a wealthy local merchant who, having survived a shipwreck, decided to retire as a hermit on this stretch of coast. He is credited with saving some of the inhabitants of Arolo from the plague and having a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine of Egypt built in the town. Refitted as a monastery between 1230 and 1250 by a group of Dominican friars, it was then inhabited by the Carmelites until 1770, when it was closed and left to fall into ruin. Restoration work on the Hermitage only began in 1970 when, having become the property of the Province of Varese, its artistic and architectural works were recovered, a commitment that in 1992 brought to light some splendid 14th century frescoes.  Still an ascetic and spiritual place, since spring 2019 the monastery has been operated by the Franciscan Fraternity of Bethany.  In addition to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Leggiuno’s church of Saint Primo and Saint Feliciano and the delightful historic church of San Primo are also worth a visit.   

Episode 2

Your Gateway to the Lakes

Segregated bike lanes, fishing villages and historic parks. On the roads of a memorable edition of the Road World Cycling Championships