The heart of our journey was a beautiful wedding at the Grand Hotel Splendid, a luxurious lakeside retreat that felt like it belonged in a classic romance novel. The vintage beauty of the hotel combined with its breathtaking waterfront location made for a fairytale setting. While standing with the glistening lake behind us as we said our vows, the experience felt unreal—timeless, intimate and completely awe-inspiring. The impeccable service of the hotel and its excellent Italian cuisine added to the celebratory feel, making our evening filled with love, laughter and memories to last a lifetime.
We then took a romantic ferry dinner on Lake Maggiore after the wedding. The boat moved gently over the serene waters while the lights of Stresa and the Borromean Islands glistened off the water’s surface, giving us a spellbinding sight. The soft breeze was filled with the aroma of fresh Italian food and every course of our dinner was complemented by exquisite local wines. The quiet hum of conversation and the faint strains of live music contributed to the ethereal atmosphere, making it an ideal way to spend our first night as a married couple.
No Italian adventure is complete without savoring its signature aperitifs. We adopted the Negroni and Campari Spritz traditions during our visit, both classic symbols of Italy‘s rich cocktail culture. The Negroni, with its strong combination of gin, vermouth and Campari, was just the right harmony of bitter and sweet, served over ice topped with a fragrant orange peel. Meanwhile, the Campari Spritz, a light and fizzy combination of Campari, prosecco and soda, was a pleasant sidekick to our afternoon lake strolls. Having those drinks at this comfortable lake-view bar while viewing the sun slide behind the mountain felt like a perfect way to relax and embrace the splendor of Baveno.
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