LAKE MAGGIORE

0​         Italy has many lakes and among them are three beauties—Lugano, Como and Maggiore. We are now in Stresa—on Lake Maggiore. The Barromeo family owns three islands plus a castle with an extensive doll collection by Lady B. Yesterday, we visited all three islands and today we go see her doll collect.
         Our gorgeous weather continues with Maine-like temps and clear skies. The only day of rain was on our bus trip up here.
         Stresa is loaded with magnificent hotels and we are in one of the finest—The Regina Palace. This hotel opened in 1908 and is meticulously maintained. We stayed here three years ago on our first doll tour and have an even nicer room this trip, plus I swim in their Grotto-Pool. Outstanding!
         Tomorrow we leave Italy and bus over the Alps to Munich, where we stop for one night to pick up 5-6 new people and head for Coburg, Germany and the International Doll Exhibition. From now on, the tour turns to dolls. For almost two weeks, we have seen some of the most beautiful Italian towns, castles, churches, and mseums; travelling with Lynn Murray and a nifty group of doll people—who also happen to be bright, attractive, and very interesting to talk with.

          LATER: We visited a wonderful doll and toy museum owned by the same Borromeo family who also own the three islands we visited. This museum was laid out by a fellow named Marco who is now at the new doll museum in Bologna that we visited. He's a genius at laying out these museums.
          Our weather continues to be superb and I've been able to swim for two days, in addition to lots of walking.
            We pack up again tonight and head for Munich. On to Germany with great memories of our Italian visit.