Islands Borromeo
written by azurblue
on May 9th, 2008
(1 vote)
On the South part of Lake Maggiore, there are three jewels called Borromées Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Superiore and Isola Madre. Lake Maggiore is the second largest of Italian lakes (65 km long, 2-4.5 km wide and 370 m deep in its maximum depth) but may rank first in beauty. It is an internationally famous resort of Europe, with its picturesque and spectacular landscape, mild climate and luxuriant vegetation. The climate favors a beautiful botanic garden on the lake shore, with exotic and rare plants including even those from the subtropical zone. The lake has many islands and some of them are famous for their lovely parks and pretty villas.
Isola Bella is 5 min from Stresa – remains true to its name, with splendid 17th century gardens that ascend from the shore in 10 luxuriantly planted terraces. The Borromeo palazzo provides a chance to explore opulently decorated rooms, including the one where Napoléon and Josephine once slept.
Isola Superiore aka the Fishermen Island is occupied by an old fishing village, now a repair of pizza stand and souvenirs shops for hoards of tourists.
Isola Madre – whole island is private. The importance of this island comes from the botanical Garden where from the beginning of the 19th century on have been cultivated exotic species coming from all over the world. The collection of 150 species of Camellia is very important. Peacocks and pheasants wander among Azalea and Rhododendron bushes, bald cypresses and tea-plants. Since 1978 it is possible to visit also the house.
One advice still – this romantic and Eden places are cremed with worldwide tourism, so you’ll have to get there out of season (May-June, or in autumn) and get up early to enjoy the peace of these paradise gardens. But it’s worth doing it!
How to go there: Fly to Milano and then hire a car to visit the shore of the Lake. Or take the train and stop in Stresa.
Public Ferries leave for the island every half-hour from Stresa’s Piazza Marconi. You can buy a day pass for about 10$. From Stresa, you can even joint the North and Swiss part of the lake (Locarno) in 4 yours by boat.
Islands Borromeo aka Isole borromées situated on Lake Major, 20 km to
Milano.
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