The archipelago of the Borromean Islands (Isol Boromei in local dialect) is located in the middle of Lake Maggiore, to the west, in the Borromean Gulf. This stretch of lake bathes the three main tourist municipalities of the area: Stresa, Verbania and Baveno.
In the 14th century, the Borromeo family, powerful feudal lords of the area but originally from San Miniato, became owners of the islands and began their transformation. Today, the family still owns Isola Bella and Isola Madre, in addition to the three rocks that emerged known as Castelli di Cannero because of the ruins of medieval fortifications.
The Isola dei Pescatori is the only one permanently inhabited, albeit by a small community, while the two “sister” islands are sought after by tourists who admire the two splendid palaces and their gardens, famous throughout Europe for the quality of the landscape and for the care and variety of the plant architecture, composed of over 2000 varieties of different species.
Isola Madre also has a large fauna of oriental birds, such as white peacocks, golden pheasants and parrots, free in the splendid garden.
Isola Bella has a garden that, skilfully designed over the centuries, presents multicolored blooms throughout the year, rotating between the various floral species (roses, orchids, bulbs, magnolias, orchards, azaleas, gardenias, wisteria).
A jewel of lago Maggiore surrounded by water and nature.
For further informations and plan a trip by boat, you can visit the following website Navigazione Lago Maggiore. You could also drive to Stresa and take a private boat from there.
