Lake Maggiore Sunset Island Tour

This tour is an opportunity to see islands in the Borromean gulf of Lake Maggiore in the beauty of the late afternoon sun. The quality of light is great at that time of day, and best of all. . . the crowds have gone home! Ever since the days of the Grand Tour, these islands have been dazzling visitors with the sheer impossibility of their existence. I first saw them 25 years ago, and still remember the awe that I felt. Breathtaking scenery, exotic gardens, and a unique microclimate at the foot of the Alps which I like to call "the Garden of Eden". Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, with its stunning palace and lavish gardens tells the story of the historic rulers of the lake: the Borromeo family who own the island to this day. Isola Pescatori, the Fisherman's Island, is home to a community of 'isolani' (islanders), in a village full of quaint alleyways, shops and fishing boats.

• The tour begins in Stresa at 4:15 pm, when we meet in Stresa for boat transport to the islands. • We reach Isola Bella after a ten minute ride, spending over an hour here. • We will visit the impressive Baroque palace of the Borromeo family, with over 30 rooms including a tapestry gallery and an art gallery, and then tour the stunning Italian-style terraced gardens, home to statues, exotic plants and a group of white peacocks. • Isola dei Pescatori is just a few minutes boat ride away. We will explore the alleyways of this picturesque medieval village. If you wish you can stay on to have dinner in one of the restaurants as some have a boat service to return you to Stresa later in the evening! This tour includes my guiding services only. You may choose the boat transportation that suits you best: private taxi boat or ferry (subject to ferry schedule)