This is a special programme of guided "one-off" excursions offered by the Verbano Cusio Ossola Province to show off the delights of the mountains and valleys that are found near Lake Maggiore.

The excursions included in this programme are organised by the Verbano Cusio Ossola Province and are offered, therefore, at the special promotional price of €15.00 per person. This price includes transport in air-conditioned coaches, a local guide and/or a nature guide.

With the exception of the walking itineraries, every passenger will receive a voucher worth €12.00 to exchange for lunch in participating restaurants. For special gudied walks this summer please see our dedicated guided walks page.

How to Book:

• At the reception of your accommodation

• Contact Tomassucci Travel. Booking lines open 07.00 - 22.00 everyday +39 0323 933621 or +39 389 1554324 (credit card number required to secure booking)

• Visit Tomassucci Travel office opposite the Ferry station in Stresa

Official Booking Agent: Tomassucci Travel Agency in Stresa (info@stresatravel.com)

10th August

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, the Calvario Sacred Mount of Domodossola consists of a series of 14 chapels dedicated to the Stations of the Cross with a 15th chapel dedicated to the Resurrection. The religious scenes in the chapels contain numerous terracotta and plaster statues. At the summit is the Sanctuary Church. Not far from the Calvario Sacred Mount is the Bognanco Valley, known the world over for its mineral water. The discovery of the mineral water in 1863 lead to the creation of Bognanco Fonti, the Spa and the mineral water source and bottling plant. The main town in the Bognanco Valley is San Lorenzo which is situated in a wide lush Alpine hollow and opens out into the upper valley. It is an ideal departure point for walks for all abilities. The San Lorenzo Parish Church houses notable frescoes and woodworks. Back to top

The narrow gauge, scenic Vigezzina Railway winds its way between the valley’s small towns and from Domodossola to Santa Maria Maggiore you can enjoy the beautiful countryside from the little blue train. Apart from the more well known towns, such as Santa Maria Maggiore and Malesco, the Vigezzo Valley is home to a series of small villages which have retained the rural architecture typical of the valley. In the villane of Craveggia the houses have very tall chimneys which are a symbol of the fortunes amassed by the emigrants who left for countries across Europe. Also in Craveggia is the Church of Saints Giacomo and Cristoforo which houses the “Treasury of the Kings of France”, a rich collection of jewellery and vestments donated by the emigrants. Just a couple of steps from the historic centre is the old wash house which was once a central part of village life. In Crana the frescoes in the Oratories of San Rocco ad San Giovanni and the communal oven tell the history of this little community. Back to top

The Antigorio Valley offers visitors one of the best examples of religious architecture in the province. The San Gaudenzio Monumental Church in Baceno effortlessly unites Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture and is dominated by its bell tower which reaches 164ft in height. The Antigorio Valley leads into the Formazza Valley. The River Toce flows through both valleys and near the top of the Formazza Valley it forms one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe with a drop of 469ft. The Formazza Valley, which for years was home to the Walzer people, opens out onto a beautiful, lush plain above the waterfalls. Water is an important element in Crodo where there has long been a tradition for bottling the mineral water. This tradition is illustrated in the “Carlo Brazzarotto Mineral Water Museum” where there are 80,000 mineral water labels and 9,000 different types of bottle. Back to top

In the past stone masonry, as well as farming and self-sufficiency, was part of the local population’s daily life. The story of the stone masons is told in the Museum of Ollar Stone in Malesco. Approaching the Swiss border, the grandiose Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna del Sangue rises from the countryside in Re. It was completed in 1958 and was designed by the architect, Edoardo Collamarini from Bologna. The sanctuary was built on the site where, in 1494, an effigy of the Madonna started bleeding and it contains many votive offerings, testimony to the strong link between the local population and the Madonna from Re. The artistic tradition of the Vigezzo Valley is evident in the Parish Church of the Assumption in Santa Maria Maggiore with frescoes by local artist, Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis. The Chimney Sweepers Museum tells the story of another tradition. From 1500 onwards, chimney sweepers left the Vigezzo Valley for cities across Europe, taking young children with them as apprentices. Back to top

The Anzasca Valley and the Mount Moro Pass have always been an important connecting route to Switzerland. Before the road was opened goods were transported along a trail. In Castiglione the old village of Colombetti has retained its rural architectural traditions. From Pontegrande, further up the river, you reach the trail leading to Barzona, Calasca, Antrogna and the Cathedral in the Woods. Back on the main Anzasca Valley road you reach Macugnaga, one of the principal Walzer settlements. The presence of the Walser people is evident in the traditional wooden houses of the Dorf and in the old church. Near the old church is the large lime (tilia) tree under which, tradition says, people from all the surrounding Walser valleys used to meet. Back to top

Until 2006, from the 11th November to the 2nd February every year, the town of Viganella was plunged into shade as the sun disappeared behind the surrounding mountains. Since 2006 the brilliant idea of a giant sun-reflecting computer-controlled mirror has returned the sun’s light to the centre of the village. Viganella’s Parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary dates back to the 16th century and a 17th century nut press is important evidence of the valley’s economic history. The search for enlightenment is evident in the little hamlet of Bordo which is almost completely deserted apart from a Tibetan Buddhist community. At the top of the valley is Lake Antrona. The result of a landslide in 1642, it is a permanent reminder of an event which took the valley by surprise. Back to top

In the years preceding the First World War various fortifications were built to defend Italy against invasions coming through Switzerland. These fortifications, called the Cadorna Line, were restored for civilian use and offer an interesting way to visit the local area. They were formed from tunnels and trenches and examples can be seen in the hills surrounding Ornavasso. Not far from Fort Bara you can visit the Boden Sanctuary. In the historic centre of Ornavasso, which was once inhabited by the German speaking Walzer people from Switzerland, is the 16th century Parish Church of San Nicolao and its bell tower. The Museum of Religious Art houses important works of art from local churches including a wooden statue of San Antonio Abate dating back to the 14th century. Back to top

Vogogna was the main jurisdictional town for the lower Ossola Valley until 1818 and has retained its original medieval feel. Winding your way through the narrow lanes you can visit the Pretorio Palace and then climb up to the Visconteo Castle. Vogogna’s historic centre is home to numerous churches including the Neogothic Sacred Heart Parish Church.From Vogogna it is an easy walk to the hamlet of Genestredo where all the buildings are made of stone and there is a wide, panoramic view across the Toce Valley. Domodossola is a few miles from Vogogna and the renaissance-style market square is surrounded by mansions with balconies and loggias and traditional porticoes. Near Domodossola is the Calvario Sacred Mount which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. The Calvario Sacred Mount is dominated by the Sanctuary Church and consists of 14 chapels along a Stations of the Cross, with the last chapel dedicated to the Resurrection. Back to top

In the area around Lake Orta artisan metalworking was already developing in the 14th century. The industrial revolution transformed this craft into a real industry with geographical specialisations: in and around Omegna they specialise in household objects whilst in San Maurizio d’Opaglio the tap making industry grew. In Omegna the Forum houses a great collection of iconic objects by famous producers/designers such as Alessi, Lagostina, Piazza and Girmi. In the hills surrounding Omegna, Quarna Sopra offers breathtaking views, whilst quarta Sotto is home to the Ethnographic Museum of Wind Instruments which tells the story of the local production of wind instruments as well as offering a glimpse into rural life in the area. The completely restored Batine Watermill Ecomuseum is the only surviving example of a watermill in Quarna and bears witness to the milling tradition that was once very popular wherever you found a river. Back to top

Malesco and Santa Maria Maggiore are among the towns in the Vigezzo Valley most frequented by visitors during the summer and offer a rich artistic heritage. Connected to Domodossola by road as well as the narrow guage Vigezzina Railway, Santa Maria Maggiore and Malesco are worth stopping in to visit. Near Malesco, in the hamlet of Zornasco there is a watermill dating from the 17th century which was the last working mill in the valley before being restored. In Zornasco, the Church of San Bernardo da Mentone is a focal point of the Stations of the Cross and the frescoes were, in part, painted by local artist Lorenzo Peretti. In Malesco the frescoes in the Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul and the San Bernardino Oratory depict the intense activity of the Vigezzo Valley art school. Other examples of this artistic tradition are evident in Santa Maria Maggiore in the Piazza Risorgimento and the Parish Church of the Assumption with frescoes by Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis. Back to top

At 5248ft Alpe Devero is a rare example of unspoilt countryside. Hidden among the surrounding mountains and used for centuries as summer pasture for sheep and cattle, Devero has retained its flawless natural beauty. Shepherds’ dwellings have been renovated keeping their traditional stone roofs and so they blend effortlessly into the surrounding countryside. Alpe Devero is an ideal starting point for walking paths to suit all abilities. In fact you can reach the small village of Crampiolo along an easy metalled path. In Baceno the San Gaudenzio Monumental Church combines Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture and is dominated by its majestic 160ft tall bell tower. Back to top