Isole Borromee

Isole Borromee Review

Boats to the three islands depart every 15 to 30 minutes from the dock at Stresa's Piazza Marconi, as well as from Piazzale Lido at the northern end of the promenade. There's also a boat from Verbania; check locally for the seasonal schedule. Although you can hire a private boatman, it's cheaper and just as convenient to use the regular service. Make sure you buy a ticket allowing you to visit all the islands—Bella, Dei Pescatori, and Madre. The islands take their name from the Borromeo family, which has owned them since the 12th century.

Isola Bella. The most famous of the three islands, and the first that you'll visit, is named after Isabella, whose husband, Carlo III Borromeo (1538-84), built the palace and terraced gardens for her as a wedding present. Before Count Carlo began his project, the island was rocky and almost devoid of vegetation; the soil for the garden had to be transported from the mainland. Wander up the 10 terraces of the gardens, where peacocks roam among the scented shrubs, statues, and fountains, for a splendid view of the lake. Visit the palazzo to see the rooms where famous guests—including Napoleon and Mussolini—stayed in 18th-century splendor. Those three interlocked rings on walls and even streets represent the powerful Borromeo, Visconti, and Sforza families. 0323/30556. www.borromeoturismo.it. Garden and palazzo €13. Late-Mar.-late-Oct., daily 9-5:30. Painting gallery: daily 9-1 and 1:30-5.

Isola dei Pescatori. Stop for a while at the smallest island, less than 100 yards wide and only about ½ km (¼ mi) long. It's the perfect place for a seafood lunch before, after, or in between your visit to the other two islands. Of the 10 or so restaurants on this tiny island, the three worth visiting are Ristorante Unione (0323/933798), Ristorante Verbano (0323/30408), and Ristorante Belvedere (0323/32292). The island's little lanes strung with fishing nets and dotted with shrines to the Madonna are the definition of picturesque; little wonder that in high season the village is crowded with postcard stands.

Isola Madre. The entire island is a botanical garden, whose season stretches from late March to late October due to the climatic protection of the mighty Alps and the tepid waters of Lago Maggiore. The vision of cacti and palm trees on Isola Madre, its position so far north and so near the border of Switzerland, is a beautiful and unexpected surprise. Take time to see the profusion of exotic trees and shrubs running down to the shore in every direction. Two special times to visit are April (for the camellias) and May (for azaleas and rhododendrons). Also on the island is a 16th-century palazzo, where the Borromeo family still resides at different times throughout the year and where an antique puppet theater is on display, complete with string puppets, prompt books, and elaborate scenery designed by Alessandro Sanquirico, who was a scenographer at La Scala in Milan. 0323/31261. €11. Late Mar.-Oct., daily 9-5:30.