A Local's Lago Maggiore, a Perfect Italian Weekend

A perfect weekend in Italy without the limitations of time, budget, or distance. Every week we ask interesting and inspirational Italians, or Italians at heart, to take us along for a perfect, local weekend. This week Sarvie & Jasper from Homestead Hospitality take us along Lake Maggiore for a perfect local weekend!

Sarvie & Jasper

Ciao, We're Sarvie & Jasper! We have a boutique real estate development firm that helps select International clients find, buy and renovate historic homes all over Italy. We lived in NYC for 12 years, with backgrounds in hospitality, real estate and marketing, before moving to Italy in 2020. Now we call Lake Maggiore home, but we operate all over Italy, with active renovation projects from the Dolomites to Puglia. Today we will take you along to all our favourite spots around Lake Maggiore:
 

Friday

Our ideal Friday night on Lake Maggiore is out in Arona with a prix fixe dinner menu at Drogheria. If we feel like going out after and listening to music, Porto 11 has a great vibe and DJ’s playing vinyl. If you want to be low key after dinner, take a passeggiata to our friend's gelato shop, La Via Latteria. They are third generation gelato makers, serving really interesting flavours. 
 

Saturday

On Saturday, if the weather is nice, we like to get out on the lake. You can hire a water taxi from Stresa to the Borromean Islands. We recommend Isola Bella where you can explore the Borromean villa and the stunning gardens that surround. If you want to be more adventurous, rent your own boat and have our friends at Commestibili Vini e Affini pack a lunch for you.

For dinner, take the scenic drive up in the hills to La Rampolina for a beautiful view of the lake, the islands and the Swiss mountains beyond. Davide, the owner, is serving Piemontese classics and there is a warm, high end atmosphere, without feeling at all pretentious.

Sunday

Our ideal Sunday morning we usually go for coffee at La Golosa, an amazing Pasticceria in our town. Then we usually walk our dog, Indy, along the ancient Roman trails that extend from Lesa to Stresa and beyond. 

When we are back in Lesa we would recommend lunch at Battipalo. Simone and Gabrielle have turned a decommissioned boat dock in to a restaurant with incredible lake views. They serve a progressive take on Italian classics and are Michelin guide. 

If we are looking for an intimate, local experience, we would book a pasta making class or catered dinner with Flore Private Chefs. 2 London trained chefs who host cooking classes and intimate dining experiences.

Where to Stay

Plinius No. 024 | Flamboyant Art Nouveau villa on Lago Maggiore

This Villa was built in the early 20th century, namely 1905 for the family Orsi, which owned the “Spazzole Verbania”, a factory for all kinds of brushes. The grand, three-story Villa is located directly on the lake and it is surrounded by a beautiful Italian-styled garden with many old trees.

Nowadays the villa has been renovated into a luxurious modern holiday villa, all with respect to its original style and the flair of the past era including beautiful frescos.

For Those Dreaming of Italy

For those inspired to create a place of their own, we love connecting you with people who truly understand the process. Sarvie & Jasper will help you find, acquire, and thoughtfully restore historic homes across Italy — from the Dolomites to Puglia. With backgrounds in hospitality, real estate, and marketing, they bring both a strategic and aesthetic eye to each project, guiding you from first search to final detail.

Have a look at their latest projects and get inspired!