Montisola: Italy's largest lake island

In this episode, we talk about beautiful Montisola, Europe's largest lake island. We tell you the name of our favorite bakery, the "hidden" vantage point for the best view of the island, where to find a bizarre huge fish head in a jar, and recount stories of our many travels there, including some about our favorite island cat, Grigio. 

Want to know more about us and our travel services? Find us at:

www.LittleRoadsEurope.com

www.facebook.com/LittleRoadsEurope

We craft small-town driving itineraries for travelers to Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

And our "alter-egos" as musicians:

www.OrsiniVirtuosi.it

Transcript

MONTISOLA podcast notes

Note: This is not a complete transcript, but rather the show notes we write in advance to prepare for the episode. 

INTRO: 

Welcome to Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond

Today we’re talking about Montisola, Europe’s largest lake island - You’ll hear:

- Where to find a giant fish head in a jar

- the name of our favorite bakery with the most delicious petit fours 

- the best hidden picnic spot, which is also the best viewpoint for photos of the island

- The type of fish even a feral cat would not eat

[music up then down to 20%]

This is Matt Walker          …and I’m Zeneba Bowers - 

We’re recording while sitting on our balcony of our little home in Italy ETC ETC

“ … today we’ll be talking all about Montisola - here on Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond.”

[Music up then fade out]

For those of you who don’t know us: We are professional musicians and also travel writers and consultants, living and working here in Italy for the past 6 years. 

If you want to learn more about us and what we do, you can find us on our website LittleRoadsEurope..com, on our socials, and now here on our podcast.

…and by the way, we hope you like our intro music - Matt arranged it, and we recorded it right here in our house! Since we’re musicians working here in Italy, we thought it would be fun to do our own theme music.

So let’s get talking about Montisola. 

Europe’s largest lake island, in Lago Iseo. 

Like a mountain jutting out of the water. 

Describe how it looks, with the Alps in distance

View of island from afar - several lodgings also pizzerias w views of lake and island

1st time visiting: Stood on top of rental car roof to get photo 

Also like to stay ON the island

Taking the boat and parking - to stay on island 

No cars on island….doctors and priests

Peschiera Maraglio  —  Carzano 

May - Walk in between towns, looks longer than it is but there are bars

North from Peschiera (SE corner) to Carzano (NE), west to Sensole (SW)

- Places to swim on the island 

Fish head (luccio - pike) in the jar that has been there for 10 years 

Fish that hang to dry : Missoltini 

[Talk about our guidebook?]

— “ADVERTISEMENT” BREAK —

That reminds me that we need to stop for a word from our sponsor - - - - 

- - - just kidding, we don’t have any sponsors - and we’re not looking for any either, we want to keep this an ad-free show.

So today’s show is brought to you by: A Good Idea. And today’s Good Idea is: 

Pick up random plastic bags when you see them and throw them away. Even better, toss it in plastic recycling bin 

That’s it!

… So anyway, where were we?

We arrived on my birthday - story - Stayed in SIVIANO (NW corner of island)

All the stores were closed

Grigio the cat, holiday home on west side - cat didn’t want gummy fish 

- Fried perch - Local island sausage 

Locanda Canogola 

Trip on bus up to Curè, we were the only tourists on tiny bus. 

Cappuccino, Sanctuary at top: Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola 

Briola 1955, best for bread, little cakes, gelato. Gorgeous setting and food. 

Best viewpoint: Eremo di San Pietro - walk up the Via Crucis, (Way of the Cross)

 - good spot to enjoy one of those sweet treats, view of whole island - but do pack out whatever you bring up there

OUTRO: 

I think that’s a good place to wrap it up here - we hope you enjoyed joining us for our show on Montisola! If you liked it, please rate it and share it with your friends. 

You can find us on our website LittleRoadsEurope..com, and here on our podcast, where we’ll be talking about a wide variety of topics, from travel tips to slice-of-life stories - we’ll post a new episode every Tuesday. 

So catch us next time - we’ll see you down the Little Roads… CIAO!