From Milano you don't need a car to take this day trip to one
of the most beautiful corner of the Italian Lakes: the Isole Borromee on the
Lake Maggiore, you just hop on a train of the "LeNord" private train company,
and in a short time you are in a magic place of lakes, gardens and palaces.
This
is specially recommended in spring or autumn, when often you can leave the fog
and cold of Milan to reach sun-shining lakefront wiews in the mild climate of
the Lake Maggiore.
The "LeNord" trains depart right in the center of Milan, at
the Cadorna station, the ones you are interested in, the "diretti" (direct)
to Laveno stop also at the Bovisa-Politecnico station in Milan, and in the
small town of Saronno before reaching Varese, and then Laveno, a nice little
town on the Lombard side of Lake Maggiore. The recommended trains you can use for this
trip depart from Cadorna at 7:50 and 8:50 AM (7:58 and 8:58 at Bovisa, 8:13
and 9:13 at Saronno and 8:46 and 9:46 from Varese). Check the LeNord site for up-to-date scheduling information or if you want to
leave at different times.
Once in Laveno you walk few steps from the train station to
the ferry landing station, and in a few minutes you board the ferry to
Intra, where you find a boat that takes you to the Isole Borromee.
For your trip back you can do the same itinerary backwards
leaving Isola Bella at 4:05 PM or 5:10, and arriving in Milano at the
Cadorna station at 7:25 or 8:11 PM. In alternative, from the islands you
take one of the many boats to Stresa, a lively town you can visit in a few
hours, and then a "Trenitalia" (state railroads) train to Milan. (see the Trenitalia.it site for train schedules). Trains run from Stresa until 8:13
PM. Since they run on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, on a very
different route than the "LeNord" route, you will arrive at a different
station in Milan, either the Porta Garibaldi or Stazione Centrale, and you
will not stop in either Varese, Saronno or Milano Bovisa.
You can also hire a private guide for all the trip, call
Myriam Gulla at 0331-958121 or mobile phone 347-7856903 to make
arrangements.
Is the largest of the Borromeo islands and the most characteristic one, with its atmosphere
of the silence, meditation and enchantment: a garden of exotic plants and flowers where
white peacocks, parrots and pheasants, flying in total freedom, give the charm of a tropical
island. Isola Madre is particularly famous for its flourishing azaleas, rhododendrons and
camellias.
It is the furthest from Stresa, but it is still easily reachable by
boat. In 1978 the 16th century palace was opened o the public.
The visit is interesting
for the reconstruction of the antique interior decoration and for the liveries, dolls and
ceramics collections.
Exceptional exposition of “Puppet Theaters” from the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Isola dei Pescatori
Fishermen’s Island, also easily reachable by boat from Stresa, owes its name to the activity of its inhabitants.
The fascination of
this island lies in the archaic simplicity and the rustic candor of its houses and
narrow street.
The distinctive profile of the ancient, unchanged with the passage of time, is certainly the most picturesque Borromean Islands: the sharp bell check the red tiles of roofs, houses with low porches overlooking the lake showing pergolas and terraces, the bank is always occupied by boats.
Also known as Superior, named after the main function that characterizes this century fishing village. Although few families maintain the original asset, is still intact the identity of the small community that never ceases to fascinate tourists with the simplicity of its houses, narrow streets, the stone portals and the evocative underpasses.
On the island there are some typical shops, and especially those famous restaurants where you can taste the dishes of freshly caught fish, a tradition that endures in time and never ceases to delight the palates of celebrities. In this regard it is worth recalling the story in 1935 that saw the protagonists of the Conference of Stresa fuoriprogramma opt for an island, attracted by the desire to taste the most famous dish, the perch.
Shops are available on the island.
Isola Bella
In this island just across from Stresa, in 1670 Count Vitaliano Borromeo started
construction of the monumental baroque palace,
and began to landscape the majestic scenery of the gardens for which the Island,
easily reachable by boat from Stresa, became
so famous, and which today still bear witness of the splendors of that bygone age.
The stately Borromeo residence contains priceless masterpieces: tapestries, furniture, and
paintings by great masters.
The gardens bloom with every variety of trees and rare flowers
which, in their succession of ornate terraces, provide a classic, inimitable example of
the celebrated “Italian garden” of that period.
"Fantastic and bizarre" as he called Dickens. A princely palace and spectacular gardens: this is the Isola Bella is undoubtedly the most famous of the Borromeo Islands. The name is due to the wife of Charles III Borromeo Isabella, who in the early seventeenth century undertaken work transformation of this barren rock island.
Striking sequence halls of the palace, from ballroom to the Throne Room, the Hall of Arms that of the bedroom, the Hall Napoleon (by the illustrious guests who stayed here several times) at the Music Hall (home of Stresa Conference of 1935 between Britain, France and Italy). There are also six underground rooms arranged in imitation of the natural caves with walls of tufa stone, stucco and decorated with stunning mosaics depicting the magic of the underwater world, moved by false stalactites and further enriched by some curious and valuable objects such as archaeological Golasecca culture.
The Italian Gardens are divided on ten terraces arranged to form a truncated pyramid great. Nymphs, exedras, mythological and allegorical statues, obelisks and fountains adorn the gardens of valuable tree species such as cedars, orange and lemon trees, magnolias, laurels, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. Contribute to the enchanting charm of the place even the white peacocks, free to turn velvety lawns. Near the palace and gardens is part of the existing village, where there are several restaurants and typical shops.
Stresa
To the tourist, who for the first time arrives in Stresa,
a breathless sight is offered. At the beginning a superb window of the lake front,
delineated with lines of palm trees, with flourishing gardens and facades of majestic
hotels.
Then, turning to look at the lake, enchanted, as if emerged from the same
waters the spectacular Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei
Pescatori). It is enough the splendor of these visions to make one understand how
Stresa has been able to become one of the maximum meetings of international tourism.
Stresa, already at the middle half of the 19th century was the most elegant place
to stay, the most visited by the international upper middle class.
The waters of Lake Maggiore wash
up on the banks of Piedmont and Lombardia in Italy. A wealth of natural
beauty awaits you: mellowed lakeside villas, dozens of lush gardens,
sparkling waters, and panoramic views. A veil of mist seems to hover at
times, especially in early spring and late autumn.
Stresa has skyrocketed from a simple village to a first-class international
resort. Its vantage location on the lake is almost unparalleled, and its
accommodations level is superior to that of other Maggiore resorts in Italy.
The scene of sporting activities and an international Festival of Musical
Weeks (beginning in July), it start into action in April, stays hopping all
summer, and then quiets down at the end of October.
One day trip to the Isole Borromee
For your trip back you can do the same itinerary backwards
leaving Isola Bella at 4:05 PM or 5:10, and arriving in Milano at the
Cadorna station at 7:25 or 8:11 PM. In alternative, from the islands you
take one of the many boats to Stresa, a lively town you can visit in a few
hours, and then a "Trenitalia" (state railroads) train to Milan. (see the 
Isola Bella
Stresa
