Stresa to Castelbrando

Stresa to Castelbrando

Sadly we said ‘Goodbye’ to Stresa and Lake Maggiore as we headed to our next destination of Castelbrando near Venice.  We headed along the motorway to Lake Garda and the pleasant tourist town of Simione.  

Simione on Lake Garda

This is a very pretty town on a tongue of land which protrudes into Lake Garda.  The Lake is a beautiful clear aqua, coloured by the melting snows.  It is Sunday which is family day in Italy, and families were out in large groups enjoying the day.  The cars parks were very busy and there were hundreds of busloads of tourists to add to the whole tumult of busyness.

Typical Gelati stand 

On the way to Castelbrando 

Our route took us through agricultural county of grapevines and kiwifruit vines.  The vine growers have discovered that kiwifruit grown with grape vines will help detect the first signs of disease.  In the past they have grown roses for this purpose. Kiwi growing is now on a grand scale.

Castelbrando with funicular entrance

Courtyard

Castelbrando is a castle that goes back to Roman times.  The castle sits strategically high on a mountain top in very pretty country at the base of the Dolomites.  It has had various owners, and at one stage, it belonged to the Commune of Venice but now is a hotel with spa and function rooms.  It overlooks the agricultural area and town of Cison San Marino.

View from Castelbrando

Our  private dining room