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Often regarded as the most beautiful of Italy’s northern lakes, Lake Maggiore is known for its clear blue waters, mild Mediterranean climate and sloping green clad shoreline. The area has long drawn the imagination of visitors passing through the Simplon Pass from central Europe into Italy for whom the lake was one of their first iconic vistas.

The lake itself, acts as a border between the region of Piedmont on the western shore and Lombardy to the east. To the north, it stretches up into Switzerland and the picturesque Locarno area. The jewels in the crown though, are undoubtedly the Borromean Islands, nestled on the western shore between the towns of Stresa and Verbania, within the picturesque Borromean Gulf.

This whole section of the lake, so popular with the European aristocracy during the years of the Grand Tour, is lined with beautiful Belle Époque villas and extensive botanical gardens, just waiting to be explored.

Lake Maggiore has an old-world charm about it. It’s best experienced from the water, by touring the lake and visiting some of its islets, with their sprawling palazzos, landscaped gardens, and whimsical grottoes.