Laveno is a holiday and health resort on the east side of Lake Maggiore in the province of Varese. It is an important communications junction and lake port, as well as being famous for its pottery factories. Three kilometres away is the little village of Cerro, famous for its sixteenth century Guilizzoni-Perabò Palace which has a china and pottery collection from various periods documenting the history of local ceramic production.

A trip to the thirteenth century Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso is particularly recommended. It can be reached by boat or by the road (5 km) which goes through Leggiuno, the little village at the foot of Mount Sangiano on which the Oratory of Saints Primo and Feliciano stands. It dates back to the eleventh century. You can also take the Laveno-Poggio Sant’Elsa chair lift, following an excavated road, up the Sasso Fermo mountain to an altitude of 1062 m from which there are wonderful views.