Lake Maggiore is to be found north of Milan, and part of it even reaches the country of Switzerland. The Borromean Islands and their subtropical parks attract many tourists, and the beautiful nature of this lake makes a holiday at Lake Maggiore one you will not soon forget.
From Stresa, a main town at Lake Maggiore, there are boats that leave to the Borromean Islands, and one of the stops they make is at the Isola Bella. Here, a most beautiful palace that dates back to the 17th century is to be found, with splendid gardens, art and architecture. Close to the village of Meina, you will find on a low hill a gigantic statue that you can visit from a last minute holiday home at Lake Maggiore, a statue of the St. Charles Borromeo, a former Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan. There is even a stairway inside the statue, and you can climb all the way to its head and look through its eyes... not something you do every day, indeed. Isola dei Pescatori can be another great stop on a holiday at Lake Maggiore, this small patch of land is like a fishing village in itself, with narrow streets and people that still live off this industry. Cannobio is a town on the west shore of the lake, with narrow streets and a Palazzo della Ragione that dates back to 1291. The Santuario della Pieta is a church that is also worth seeing here, hosting a small picture that is said to be a "miracle maker".
A holiday at Lake Maggiore is always fun, and more so, it is always one that will leave you more... culturally inclined. If you get the chance, set off from a holiday home at Lake Maggiore and see the Villa Taranto with more than 20.000 plant varieties in its garden-park. It is a truly spectacular setting. The town of Stresa is the largest resort of this lake on its Italian side, a holiday at Lake Maggiore should simply not go without a stop in this town with its shops and upscale restaurants, and a most beautiful promenade from where you can see the Borromean Islands. In Cannero Riviera you can get to see the two Castelli di Cannero, beautiful structures, plus, the resort itself is very quiet and perfect for exploring the Lake Maggiore's beauties. Don't miss out on the Rocca d'Angera as well, the Borromeo castle that overlooks the lake at Angera, with a most stunningly vast and impressive collection of dolls and toys. A must, must see.
If you take the cable car from Stresa, you can get to the top of Monte Mottarone, and the views from here are simply amazing, totally worth the trip. Stop at the Giardino Alpinia as well, the numerous mountain plants here are amazing. Besides, the lake itself is one that offers a most unique atmosphere, and the quaint little towns around it, the traditions portrayed in them just complete the scene. The Borromean Islands are beautiful and host numerous villas and gardens, with a wide variety of plants. A great example is the Isola Madre, with its all so many azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias.
Thermal baths, mineral waters, a perfect wellness holiday at Lake Maggiore. And the area is quite famed for this as well. Check out the thermal baths of Premia and enjoy their facilities: water gym, pool, jacuzzi, hydro massage, wellness treatments. The Bognanoco thermal baths are another great option, with saunas, and whirlpool tubs, with massages and healing therapies and so on. Nothing like a day or so of pampering in a scenery that simply takes your breath away with its infinite beauty.
Being on the shores of a lake, water activities are a great deal of fun here: sailing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Visit the Borromeo Islands as well, and enjoy their beautiful shores, the many castles and villas here. Take a cruise on the lake from a holiday park at Lake Maggiore, and return via the small gauge railway through the stunning landscape of the 100 Valleys. Take a helicopter ride over the lakes, and see them from a different “point of view”. Trekking in the Terra dei Laghi area is amazing, and there are even possibilities for parachuting and bungee jumping, and also rafting. Skiing and winter sports in the Lake Maggiore area in places such as Mottarone, Macugnaga, the Val Formazza, will be simply unforgettable experiences, and hiking in the Apennines here reveals stunning sceneries as well.
A family holiday at Lake Maggiore is one that should not by any means not comprise of also a visit to the Villa Pallavicino, which is both a botanical garden and a zoo. Walk around the park here and encounter zebras, Tibetan goats, llamas, swans, flamingos and colorful parrots, as well as numerous species of plants. The Aquapark Brebbia is great for the little ones and lots of fun for adults alike, very clean and very... water fun. From a holiday villa for families at Lake Maggiore you should also not miss the Museo Ogliari Transport Museum, which is in fact a lot of fun for both the little ones and the adults, with hundreds of conveyances set in chronological order and following technology. The more than 1,000 dolls, board games, toys and children's books that you can find in the Rocca d'Angera castle are also most impressive and a great way of spending an afternoon or so on a family holiday at Lake Maggiore.
Some of the local products at Lake Maggiore that are quite famed for their deliciousness are the cheeses such as the Bettelmatt, the Ossolano d'Alpe, and the local honey. Of course, you have then the cured meats that are also a great option for a hearty breakfast: the mortadella of the Ossola, the raw ham, as well as the violini di capra. As for desserts, the Fugascine of Mergozzo and the Margheritine of Stresa are a must, they even go with a glass of the local wine, such as the Ghemme Docg, or the Nebbiolo, the Neuv Bruschett and others.
A holiday with a pet at Lake Maggiore is a holiday with fun by the water, with long walks on the lake shores together with Rover, of barbecuing back at your pet-friendly holiday home at Lake Maggiore. You can choose a different activity every day here, or you can simply just relax together with Puffy, and make this vacation here a memorable one for you both.
Points of interest, a “must see” list at Lake MaggioreThough its name may indicate a vastest body of water among the Italian Lakes, the Lake Maggiore is not the biggest one of them all. It is a most impressive one though, and a holiday at Lake Maggiore is a not only big but quite great experience in its all. See for yourself this year!
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