Verbania

If you don't have a rental car, the easiest way is by train (1–3 per hour; 75–100 min. from Milan). Note that the fastest trains leave from Milan's central station, but there is more frequent (and only slightly slower) service from Milan's Porta Garibaldi station.

How to get to Verbania by boat: If you are already on the lake, Verbania is a major stop in the Lake Maggiore ferry system (www.navigazionelaghi.it)—though in winter this is reduced to just local ferries (one that only crosses between Arona and Angera; another that only tools around the central lake between Stresa, the islands, and Verbania/Intra, etc.) but doesn't connect these localized lake regions.

How to get to Verbania by bus: Verbania is connected by S.A.F. (tel. +39-0323-552-172, www.safduemila.com) to other towns on the western shore of Lake Maggiore roughly twice per hour, including Arona (45 min.) and Stresa (20 min.). There's also twice daily service from Milan's Lampugnato stop on Metro line 1 (105 min.).

How to get to Verbania from the Milan Malpensa airport: Verbania is just an 80– to 90-minute bus ride from the Milan-Malpensa airport (www.sea-aeroportimilano.it) with the S.A.F. Alibus (tel. +39-0323-552-172, www.safduemila.com)—though the bus only runs once every two hours, and only between late April and September. Off-season, you can take the Malpensa Express train (www.malpensaexpress.it) to Busto Arsizio and catch a Verbania-bound train or bus from there.