Situated 80km northwest of Milan on the lake Maggiore’s western shore is Stresa, an international tourist resort commonly known as a base for visiting the Borromean Islands. Since the second half of the nineteenth century up to the first decades of the twentieth, when the first English tourists arrived, Stresa, whose hotels and villas were built in Liberty style, was unique, peculiar and elegant. Nowadays it is a renowned holiday resort and an important place of cultural manifestations.

See:

• Rocca di Angera – Elevated on a calcareous rock, this completely preserved medieval fortified building has always dominated the southern part of Lake Maggiore. It is an 11th century castle containing one of the largest doll museums in Europe.
• Monte Mottarone – For those interested in scenic lookouts, cycling or walking then enjoy a ride on the Funivia Stresa-Mottarona (cable car) to the top of Mountain Mottarone. This mountain, elevated at 1491 metres, is famous for its bike and walking trails.
• Giardino Botanico Alpinia - Stopover at the Alpino mid-station (at 803 metres), before arriving at the top of Monte Mottarone, and see 700 Alpine species flourish in the Giardino Botanico Alpinia, a botanical garden dating to 1934.
• Parco della Villa Pallavicino (Villa Pallavicino Park) – This magnificent landscaped park features a rose garden, botanical trails and a zoo with an array of exotic animals.

Experience:

• Borromean Islands – These islands can be reached from various points around the lake but Stresa is known to be the best departure point. The four islands – Bella, Madre, Pescatori (or Superiore) and San Giovanni – form the lake’s most beautiful corner.