Our First Family Trip to Europe: A Wedding, Wild Roads, White Peacocks and Eiffel Tower (Start - Lake Maggiore)

You know it’s going to be an epic adventure when your first family trip to Europe kicks off with a destination wedding in Italy. With our three daughters (ages 11, 9, and 5) in tow, we were ready for a whirlwind journey full of laughs, history, and, of course, amazing Italian food. And what better way to explore Italy than in our rented Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio? It had some serious kick—perfect for curvy roads and squeezing in all our luggage (plus those three essential crayons the kids insisted on bringing).

Pro Tip: Yes, all five of us, with three big suitcases and three crayons (don’t ask), managed to fit comfortably in the car. Italian engineering at its finest!

Checking into Our Airbnb in Stresa Baveno 28831 Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Italy

Our adventure began in Stresa, where we checked into our two-bedroom Airbnb. This wasn’t your typical stay—it was a brand-new, upscale construction with a rooftop pool that overlooked the Borromean Islands and Isola Superiore. Each morning, we’d wake up to the sight of these picturesque islands while sipping espresso or wine.

The kids, of course, were more interested in diving into the pool at any given moment, but can you blame them? The view was absolutely breathtaking and the perfect introduction to Italy’s beauty.

Dinner With a View at Vista Ristorante

Our first night in Italy, we dined at Vista Ristorante (Vista Ristorante).

Let’s just say the food was as incredible as the views. We sat outside in the yard, overlooking the entire lake, with the evening sun setting the water aglow. The combination of delicious Italian cuisine and the breathtaking scenery made it the perfect start to our family trip.

Highly recommend trying their seafood risotto—chef’s kiss! It was the kind of first-night experience that made us feel like we’d truly arrived in Italy.

Lunch With a View: Hotel La Palma

The next day, we treated ourselves to lunch at Hotel La Palma (Hotel La Palma), where the rooftop restaurant offers panoramic views of Lake Maggiore.

Now, let’s talk about this lake for a second: You might not find George Clooney’s boat or villa here (that’s over on Lake Como, in case you were wondering), but that’s exactly what makes Lake Maggiore special. It’s authentic, charming, and primarily a vacation spot for Italians. There’s something about it that feels more real, like you’re getting a true taste of Italian culture rather than just ticking off a tourist hotspot.

As we soaked in the sun, the views, and more pasta than we should have eaten, we knew we were in for an incredible journey. The Borromean Islands in the distance and the glistening water made for the perfect backdrop to our first full day.

Exploring the Borromean Islands and Palazzo Borromeo

After lunch, we headed over to the Stresa Ferry Terminal (Navigazione Laghi) and took a tour of the Borromean Islands. The highlight was definitely Palazzo Borromeo (Palazzo Borromeo), where we encountered those famous white peacocks strutting around like they owned the place. They’re basically the Italian version of celebrities—glamorous, confident, and totally unbothered by the tourists (or our daughters chasing after them for the perfect photo).

We also explored Isola Superiore 

(Isola Superiore dei Pescatori),

a charming little island with narrow streets and traditional Italian houses.

It was once a fishing village, and even though it’s more tourist-friendly now, it still has that authentic, rustic charm. We felt like we’d stepped back in time, and the girls had a blast exploring the tiny shops and alleys.

Lake Maggiore: Stresa vs. Verbania

Let’s break down Lake Maggiore. On the Stresa side, it’s all about fun—more restaurants, more things to do, and a livelier vibe. There were countless places for the girls to get pizza, gelato, and, of course, souvenirs we didn’t need. We even hopped on a ferry from the Stresa Ferry Terminal (Navigazione Laghi) for a tour of the Borromean Islands. Fun fact: at Palazzo Borromeo (Palazzo Borromeo), we spotted white peacocks roaming around the grounds like they owned the place. Seriously, these birds are so glamorous they make regular peacocks look like pigeons.

Then there’s Isola Superiore (Isola Superiore dei Pescatori), a tiny island that feels like stepping back in time. The streets are narrow, the houses charming, and the whole place oozes old-world Italian charm. We learned that it was once home to local fishermen, and even though it’s more of a tourist spot now, it still has that quaint, historical vibe.

Now, on the Verbania side, things are a little more relaxed, more old-fashioned, and a bit quieter. But there’s still plenty to love about it—quaint streets, historic architecture, and a slower pace that gives you time to appreciate the beauty of Lake Maggiore. Verbania is known for its lush gardens and villas, which makes

it perfect for anyone wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Stresa. It may be a little older in style, but sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it charming.

Rehearsal Dinner at Lido Beach Club Baveno

After our tours of the islands, we headed to the rehearsal dinner for family and close friends at Lido Beach Club Baveno (Lido Beach Club Baveno). The atmosphere was simply unbeatable, with the restaurant overlooking the lake as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was a perfect blend of elegance and relaxation, just what we needed after a day of sightseeing.

Now, let me tell you, my brother is quite the world traveler, and his friends came from all corners of the globe—South Africa, Portugal, London, Switzerland, Israel—you name it! It felt like the entire United Nations had gathered in this one restaurant (but with better wine and food, and without all the arguing). It was such a joy meeting everyone and hearing their stories about their adventures with my brother.

We took countless photos with the stunning views as our backdrop, raising our glasses to toast the beautiful couple. And let’s not forget, we drank a lot of wine—Italian wine has a way of making you feel like you’ve been friends with everyone at the table for years. Meanwhile, our kids had their own adventure, discovering that they have distant relatives they’d never met before. Watching them bond with their “new” cousins was a highlight of the evening.

The menu was filled with delicious Italian dishes, from seafood pasta to wood-fired pizza, and the girls were in their element, trying everything. There’s just something about enjoying a meal lakeside, surrounded by family and friends, that makes everything taste even better. It was the perfect prelude to the wedding, and a night we’ll always remember

The Wedding (The Real Reason We Came to Italy)

The big day arrived, and the wedding took place at the stunning Villa Rusconi-Clerici (Villa Rusconi-Clerici), which was an upscale, fairytale-like event.

We rolled up in our Alfa Romeo as always in style lol, parking was a little bit of a hustle because those authentic Italian towns did not take into consideration modern larger cars.

So Imagine a classic, elegant Italian venue overlooking Lake Maggiore, with the bride and groom arriving in a traditional wooden boat. Talk about making an entrance!

We could hardly believe how beautiful everything was—the music, the scenery, the decorations—it felt like a scene straight out of a movie.

Earlier, the family photos were taken at the Grand Hotel Majestic (Grand Hotel Majestic), which,

true to its name, is as grand as it gets. Rustic and authentically Italian, the hotel overlooks the lake and provided the perfect backdrop for those picture-perfect moments.

The wedding itself was traditional, intimate, and full of joy. It was one of those rare moments where everyone’s smiling, dancing, and just genuinely having a great time. And, of course, the party lasted until the early morning because Italians know how to celebrate in style!

And Onto Our Next Adventure: Cinque Terre

After this fabulous wedding and saying our goodbyes, it was time for some serious family bonding. We packed up our trusty Alfa Romeo and hit the road for our next destination: Cinque Terre. We couldn’t wait to dive into the next chapter of our European adventure, with even more breathtaking scenery, delicious food, and family memories waiting to be made.

This was just the beginning of our family’s European journey, and if this first stop was anything to go by, we knew we were in for an unforgettable trip. Stay tuned—there’s more fun, history, and gelato on the way! 🍦