Cycling holidays on Lake Maggiore

Alpine cheeses

An indispensable product of local food culture is cheese, thanks to the vast green areas used for grazing. Among the most famous is the Ossolano d’Alpe, a sweet flavoured cow’s cheese, the Toma del Mottarone and…

Alpine cheeses

An indispensable product of local food culture is cheese, thanks to the vast green areas used for grazing. Among the most famous is the Ossolano d’Alpe, a sweet flavoured cow’s cheese, the Toma del Mottarone and the Bettelmatt, which is produced only in 7 mountain pastures in the Antigorio Valleys and Formazza. Beside these is another excellent dairy product, Gorgonzola with its strong and decisive flavour.

Fish

Another typical product of the area is fish. The lake is inhabited by various species such as perch, symbol of the lake used in risottos, bleaks, which here are fried and eaten, pike and lake trout.

Sweets

Those who love sweets will be spoilt for choice on Lake Maggiore. Among the local sweet specialities is the “Fugascina di Mergozzo”, also known as the sweet of Saint Elisabetta. Another typical sweet is “Pan Dolce of Cannobio”, its shape resembles a plum cake made with hazelnut flour, almonds and soft wheat. The “Margheritine of Stresa” are also typical, biscuits, once made in honour of the Queen Margherita of Savoia. There is also the “intresine of Verbania”, buttered biscuits sprinkled with almonds and hazelnuts and “Dolce Varese”, a typical soft trunk-shaped cake made with corn flour.

Wines

Lake Maggiore’s landscape features prestigious vineyards which gives it a slight rural atmosphere. Among the excellent wines produced in this area, is Nebbiolo red wine from the Novara hills, Ghemme Docg, Prunent, Cà d’Matè and Nouv Bruschett, which pair perfectly well with red meat and cheeses. The red, white and rosé wines of Angera are also famous, called “Ronchi Varesini”.