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Discover the Borromean islands on Lake Maggiore on this walking tour with a ferry trip. The islands feature a grandiose medieval palace with manicured gardens, architecture, and picturesque views.

Highlights

• Visit the Borromeo Palace on Isola Bella, with the masterpieces in the gallery rooms and the sea caves
• Explore the baroque gardens of the Palace, the monumental theater, the panoramic terraces
• Discover the most evocative views of Isola dei Pescatori island, its alleys between crafts and lake delights

Description

The guided tour of Lake Maggiore starts from Isola Bella and from Palazzo Borromeo which extends over almost the entire size of the island. Once inhabited by fishermen, with two small churches and a few cultivated gardens, in 600 it became the property of the Borromeo family, starting the grandiose project that will lead to the creation of the Palace and the garden. We will discover in this fascinating journey the maximum expression of the Baroque with the Berthier Gallery with its paintings, the Throne Room, the Queens Room and the Tapestry Room, up to the magnificent Caves entirely covered with stones and shells, created to amaze guests by transporting them to a magical marine world. From the Palace extend the botanical gardens with an incredible variety of exotic plants from all over the world, the Parterre of the enchanting azaleas during flowering, the Garden of Love composed of box hedges that create a green embroidery visible from the top of the terraces, where white peacocks live in freedom and roam undisturbed. We then reach the Teatro Massimo, known as the Amphitheater, the most important monument in the garden where the scenic representations that fascinated the Borromeo family were held, magnificent statues, obelisks and fountains that integrate perfectly with the vegetation of the ten spectacular terraces, on whose top stands the statue of the Unicorn, heraldic symbol of the Borromeo family. Leaving Isola Bella island with a boat, a short distance away we find Isola del Pescatori island which welcomes us with a delightful marina and many restaurants and taverns where you can taste the typical lake fish. From here extend the suggestive alleys that offer views with a postcard view, and full of souvenir shops and local crafts. The fishermen's nets decorate the buildings of the village and exploring the island we will end with a visit to the church of San Vittore, a small jewel with frescoes from the 1500s and along the narrow cobbled streets, we will reach the panoramic viewpoint with trees in the northernmost part of the island.

Includes

Certified guide

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund