The Lago Maggiore or Verbano as called by locals is located some 50 km northwest of Milan or just 20 from Malpensa International airport. Tis lake lays on area of glacial era origin. The north tip of the lake is belong to Switzerland while the west shore is in Piedmont region and the est in Lombardy region. All around the lake you will find a lot of old villas with gardens and parks.
Our tour starts in Arona (on the west shore of the lake).
ARONA
Is a nice small city famous for a tall and big bronze statue of San Carlo Borromeo (the locals call this statue "San Carlone" that means big Charles)that was the archbishop of Milan around the end of 1500 century. This statue has been erected in 1697 on the top of an hill overlooking Arona and it is 36 meter tall. With a small fee in can enter inside the statue and climbing a narrow stair you reach the head from where you can have an impressive view of Arona and all Lago Maggiore looking out from the statue eyes.
LESA
Just few kilometer past Arona you find Lesa, a very small town, famous for its old style villas laying on the lake shore. Lesa was famous since the XVIII century as holiday place for the rich families of Lombardy.
STRESA
Is the most famous city of Lago Maggiore. A lot of worldwide tourists come here all year around. The "Ile des Borromees" hotel is a masterpiece of Liberty style construction and it lays along the lake shore. Every year in September, Stresa hosts "le Settimane Musicali Internationali (International weeks of classic music). Villa Pallavicno has a magnificent park with a small zoo.
ISOLE BORROMEO (Borromeo Islands)
In front of Stresa the lakes has 3 small islands: Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), Isola Madre (Mother Island) and Isola Pescatori (Fishermen Island). In the Isola Bella you can visit Palazzo Borromeo (XVII century) that lays in the center of Italian style garden. On the Isola Madre you can visit a botanic garden with flowers and trees from all over the world. The Isola dei Pescatori is famous for its narrow streets and for its restaurants where you can sample local lake fishes. All the three islands can be easily reached by boat from Stresa or any other city located along the lake shore.
PALLANZA
30 km norther of Stresa you reach Pallanza famous for the Villa Taranto gardens. The gardens have been built-up by a Scottish captain, Mr. Neil McEacharn, between 1931 and 1936 and includes thousands of rare and extotic trees coming from all around the world.
SANTA CATERINA DEL SASSO BALLARO
Is and old and striking monastery built vertically on the lake cliff. The locals say that this monastery was built by a rich merchant that survive to a lake storm some hundred years ago.
ROCCA DI ANGERA
The Rocca (castle), built on the top of an hill overlooking Angera during the XIII century, has been house and fortress for the Visconti (rulers of Milan) and Borromoeo families. Inside you can see some frescos of XIV and XV century. Actually the Rocca is the seat of one of the most important european museum of doll.
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Advantages: The Cities of Como and Bellagio around the Lake, close to Switzerland/Milan, Can tour Lake by Boat Disadvantages: You won't be able to stay forever (unless your Rich and George Clooney).
i_heart_elo 25.09.2009 (26.09.2009)
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Apr 30th, 2003
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