Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella

Lake Maggiore: or Verbano, is Italy's second largest lake after Garda and lies in the shelter of the alpine circle between Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. The lake was of fundamental importance to communications in northern Italy from the Roman era. Blessed with a mild climate, the shoreline became a holidaying area in the 18th c. The green banks were filled with villas, parks and gardens which are still very popular tourist destinations. Beyond Stresa, the jewel on the lake with its splendid Borromeo islands, Lake Maggiore is blessed with superb landscapes, views and monuments. The ancient Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the Fort at Angera on the Lombard shore, the attractive nature park in Ticino and Valgrande, the superb botanical gardens at Villa Taranto and Isola Madre, and the many villas and parks along the shore are some of the attractions that the lake offers.