We purchased tickets for a full day trip on Lago Maggiore Express available at sales points at each…read moreport served by the line. (http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/m_crociere1.asp?ID=24) This is a combination of Navigazione Lago Maggiore boat and a Swiss train. (Bring your passport!)
We opted for the morning boat from Arona, Italy, to Locarno, Switzerland, followed by an afternoon, panoramic train from Locano, Switzerland to Domodossola, Italy, then TreinItalia from Domodossola back to Arona. The trip is available train first as well, all for €34/person (children are €17) plus €15/person if you would like lunch (or dinner, €10/child) on the boat. Pay for the meal on board, first level up. The staff will show you which table is 'yours'.
The Arona ticket office is about 150 meters from the train station; very convenient. We waited in line a short time to purchase tickets. The boat has three upper levels. The dining room is located on the first level up, another dining area and bar on the next level, as well as some 'fixed in place' seating outside. The top level has groupings of plastic lawn chairs that can be moved at will as well as 'standing room'.
The cruise up the lake took approximately 4 hours, stopping at many ports along the way. A great opportunity to see from the lake many of the towns there are to explore. This is a commuter boat giving you an opportunity to get from one town to another along the lake. The day we went the water was calm and it was an easy, relaxing cruise up the lake sitting in the sun.
Lunch begins at noon. The website specifies reservations are necessary, however, we did not reserve until we arrived on board. There was a reservation list, so other people did figure out how to reserve, unlike us. They take cash or credit cards for both the tickets and the meal.
The waitstaff were very friendly and very busy. There are two plates stacked on top of each other at each place setting and water was waiting at the table when we arrived - both still and 'frizzante'. Most guests sat down right around noon time and staff began taking drink orders (not included in the price of lunch).
Next, the first course is served from large platters onto your first plate: risotto and pasta in tomato sauce. The pasta was good, cooked firm, in a light tomato sauce. The risotto was very tasty and also well cooked. First course plates are cleared, a bread basket placed on the table and next up platters of pork roast, carrots and potatoes come round which are served onto your (second) plate.
If you prefer the fish entree instead of the pork, that will be round shortly with the same sides. Not sure what type of fish, but it was a large portion, served with the skin intact. A 'strong' tasting fish it included bones so use care. The carrots were cooked soft and were tasty, the roasted potatoes were tasty and soft inside.
The meal ended with lemon cake which was very nice; moist cake, light lemon custard, not too sweet. Coffee is included. A nice meal, sitting in the sun by a window, overlooking Lake Maggiore as we cruised past beautiful scenery. What's not to like? If you ordered the wine or beer, settle up with your waiter before heading back outside to enjoy the rest of your cruise. Please note: lunch is only available if you are going from Arona to Locano, Switzerland.
In Locano, you will find the train station up the road from the boat dock: straight ahead up Viale Giuseppe Cattori. Walk through the station office to the tracks, bear left to go around the tracks (there are only a couple) and down the staircase under the 'Ferrovia Locarno-Domodossola' awning. You board the trains underground. They are very nice, comfortable with large windows to take in the scene. Sit on either side - part of the ride has scenery on each side. Get on the train early to get a seat before it fills up.
Between boat and train and a little sight seeing along the way, it is a full day. For one in our party, who sometimes suffers from motion sickness, it was a little too much all in one day. There is also a 'two day' option for this trip. You can also begin and end your trip at any town along the route, creating a shorter boat and train trip. Plan time in your trip to explore the medieval city center of Domodossola. (Enter Piazza Mercato into your GPS map) It's like stepping back in time.
Lake Maggiore has beautiful islands and towns to visit. Navigazione Lago Maggiore also offers other options including 'The Islands' from Stresa and 'Pearls of Lake Maggiore' from Arona. See more at: http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/m_crociere.asp It's a lovely way to travel the lake whether you are staying in one of the towns along the water, or traveling up for the day.
