Borromeo Islands and Val D’Ossola

Heading off from Milan, the first step of this journey is Stresa, the gem of the Lago Maggiore, province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
It is a little town on the west shores of the lake, which has a stunning view on the Alps and from where it is possible to reach the beautiful and picturesque Borromeo's isles.
This is exactly your first stop, the Isola Madre. It is the biggest between the three isles and hosts a big palace with an English botanical garden of the XVIII century.
The visit to the island is possible by taking the ferry from Piazza Marconi in Stresa - and where you can also leave the car in the parking lot - whose departures are every 30 minutes and traverses the lake stopping by all the three islands. It is preferably that you buy the ticket online to avoid queues and save time.
The Borromeo isles are open from March to November and you can check the last visits hours here, according to the seasonal time.
You can buy the ticket for the visit of the Palace and the garden on the site.

Together with the botanical beauties and the white peacocks of the garden, you will have access also to the Borromeo Palace.
A project initiated by the count Lancellotto Borromeo in the 1501 as a private residency for the family, after he obtained the property of the island by the church.
The interiors of the Palace hosts a lot of artworks, tapestry and furniture of the XVII century, coming from the Lombard territory.

The middle step during the visit of the islands, is the Island of Pescatori, the smallest one and also the only public island compared to the Isola Madre and Isola Bella. It is also the only one that is occupied by a small community - the only island which has inhabitants.
It was an ancient fisherman village, from which it takes the name, and today it is the perfect location to taste the local cuisine based on the fresh fish from the lake.
As the matter of fact, the Trattoria Imbarcadero is your destination for lunch. A business run family since 1899, which still follows the culinary tradition and has a lovely terrace on the lake.
The restaurant is open everyday from 11.45 am to 3.45 pm and if you want to make a reservation you can go to their website.

The following stop on the route is the third island, Isola Bella, probably considered the most beautiful due to the presence of its Italian garden.
There is a Palace on this island too, and it is even more sumptuous compared to that of the Isola Madre.
The Palazzo Borromeo of the Isola Bella is dated back to 1650 thanks to the count Vitaliano Borromeo as a holiday residence for the family but also as a venue to host illustrious guests.

As mentioned before, part of the beauty of the island is due to the Italian garden.
One of the most ancient gardens of Italy, it is a real gem with its terraces, statues, obelisks and a big variety of exotic plants, among which you can admire the prestigious collection of Coleus.

While approaching to the Swiss boarder you will stop in Domodossola, district of Val d'Ossola, where you can visit the Savred Mount Calvary.
It is one of the most important religious, historical and environmental site of the Piedmont, besides being also UNESCO world heritage.
It was built in the 1656 as a processional path with a sanctuary at the top, that could host all the people.

Heading down to the historical center of Domodossola, you will find yourself in the heart of a cultural gem of national importance.
The village has been the site of major architectural interventions of its most important palaces and the Medieval defensive walls.
The result is the so called Borgo della Cultura - Village of Culture - whose purpose is to highlights the historical monuments of the city and all the prestigious buildings inside the pentagonal walls.

Leaving Domodossola and its historical center, you will reach Varzo, a little district in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, near the board with Switzerland.
Here, you can enjoy dinner at Trattoria Derna, a local restaurant furnished with exposed stones and which serves typical Piedmontese cuisine.
The place is open everyday, except Wednesday, from 8 am to 2 pm and from 7 pm to 10 pm. You can check out their websites for a reservation.

In Varzo you will be spending the night too. And your home for the night is this lovely Villa Nante in the heart of the mountains, an ancient villa that hosted a barn for the horse carriage too. The entire structure has been renovated, by keeping all the original materials but with all the modern comforts.