Borgo Di Mustonate
You will not find this area "Borgo di Mustonate" (borgo = village) in a travel guide - unless you have already stumbled upon the place. However, it is very central, close to the A8 motorway to Milan and only 3 km from the city of Varese, with its population of approx 80,000 people and is certainly worth a visit.
A small village situated in Lombardy, Borgo di Mustonate is a little gem, situated 2 km up the hillside, providing the stunning panoramic views of one of the 7 great lakes of northern Italy; Varese Lake and the second largest mountain in Europe; Monta Rosa (translated = the pink mountain). This mountain is well known for the perfect sunsets, as the sky illuminates by a bright red glow, you will forget everything around you for a few moments. But back to the area Mustonate, a village combined with the rustic and the modern in a tasteful wrapping - not least thanks to the unspoiled but extremely well kept nature that is located right on your doorstep.
Borgo di Mustonate, in my view justifies to be talked about in any travel guide as it is an idyllic, beautiful and charming area, which many Italians have found, and therefore very popular among the locals, especially on weekends, when the Italians come and enjoy the idyllic scenery with the prospect of Monta Rosa and take advantage of the great little coffee shop "Osteria Stables".
The café is a gathering place for many Italians, both during the week and especially on weekends, where there may be a full house outside, and where you have plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals and feel just like an Italian for a while. The café offers breakfast, light lunches and snacks. If you like grappa, it is a must to taste their local "Amandola Grappa di Moscato d'Asti", which is available in different qualities.
What is special about this small village, which has only around 35 houses, is the very thorough renovations of the facades that characterize all the buildings in the village and provides a uniform impression, which, together with the well-kept surroundings of nature, makes you understand why it is also a popular wedding venue. Almost every Friday and Saturday during the summer season a wedding is held at the restaurant "Tana d'Orso" (translated: the bear's cave).
The restaurant "Tana d'Orso" is centrally located in the village and can accommodate up to 160 guests, whether it is for a reception, wedding or evening meals. The restaurant opens onto a large terrace, where it is obvious in the summer to beat the pavilions and enjoy an aperitif. Upstairs you can stand on a balcony and enjoy the panoramic views of Varese Lake and across the green fields. Opening hours are daily from 12 noon to 15.30 and then 19pm - midnight every day except Wednesday, when it's closed. More information is available at: www.ristorantetanadorso.it
In addition to the restaurant and café the village also has a cute little church "St. Anthony ", which is open every day and a large stud farm" Mustonate Stables Equestrian Centre ", which has a race course of 1200 meters where you can see the training of the horses with their riders, which is located right next to the cafe. The stud is said to be Borgo di Mustonate's main attraction, which accommodates up to 125 horses of superior blood lines and none other than Robert F. Kennedy visited here. Finally, not forgetting the hotel Borgo di Mustonate near Varese Lake. The surrounding area offers 28 km of tracks - and we know this very accurately, since there are bike & jogging routes all around which are gauged by kilometer signs. Rental bicycles are available at the lake if you want to combine a beautiful nature experience with exercise.
If you'd like to stay in Borgo di Mustonate for more than a day, there are 2 guest houses "House of Pleasures Campestri", available year round for you to enjoy the unique opportunity for the combination of "living in the country" with modern facilities in beautiful nature that hits once again.
So ... do you want to sit at a café and enjoy a glass of grappa or wine and feel at one with nature away from the urban hustle and bustle, and if you need to let the silence descend upon one, then it is a obvious place to spend some hours. Or do you want to live in a small village and feel true Italian living, while sitting on a Tana d'Orsa and enjoying delicious Italian food with good wine and the view of Lake Varese - then Borgo di Mustonate is the obvious choice for you .
And if you are lucky, then you will see horse-drawn carriages, often in the summer running through the village with a driver who smiles and greets everyone in his path. The story is that the driver is actually the guy who owns the whole Borgo di Mustonate - and it is he who has arranged for the renovation and repair of all houses in the village, which has taken him over 10 years. Personally, I believe that he must be extremely pleased with the outcome, as it is a unique beautiful place, not least thanks to the combination of having preserved the countryside whilst keeping the more modern and not compromise on quality. Definitely worth a visit!