Isola Bella: A Treasure Island in Lago Maggiore
I’m so surprised that after four years in Italy I had never heard of Isola Bella. It’s truly a masterpiece hidden in the west of Lago Maggiore, just a 10 minute boat ride from Stresa. Of course, Italy is a small nation packed with thousands of marvelous destinations, but if you’re in the northern lake district this Island is not to be missed.
History
This Island was transformed in the 17th century to the palace that dominates all the land today. The website Isole Borromee gives a thorough summary of Isola Bella’s history, click here to check it out. Vitaliano VI is one of the men accredited for creating this Treasure chest. He was a nobleman, politician, military commander and author from Milan, who played a critical role in the Franco-Spanish War. Due to the noblemen who called this Island home, art has been collected throughout the centuries. Now there is not a square meter without a piece painting, tapestry, or sculpture, even the grounds are filled with sculptures and luxurious gardens.
Accomodation
We stayed in Stresa, a very cute little town that overlooks the Borromee Islands. Our hotel, Hotel du Parc, was absolutely lovely! We were welcomed with a glass of Prosecco that had a spectacular view over the village and Lago Maggiore. The building was extraordinary dating back to the early 1900s. It had a beautiful dining room and the breakfast was fantastic. The staff was so helpful and kind. In addition, it’s pet friendly!
How to reach the island
From the town of Stresa you can catch a ferry that will take you to the Island in roughly 10 minutes. There are multiple companies and boats take off about every 10/15 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long. To visit the palace, gardens, and take the ferry will cost you a little bit more than 30 Euros. Trust me, if you are an art lover that money is worth it, plus you can easily spend the whole day exploring the garden.
Add this Island to your itinerary next time you’re in northern Italy! If you’ve already been comment about your trip below.
A presto,
Abigail
Faith
March 10, 2018 at 11:41 AMWow never heard of this place but it looks simply glorious and I will have to add it to my Italy list – by the way your photos are spectacular.
Abigail
March 10, 2018 at 12:13 PMAww thanks so much! It truly was such a gem and surpassed my expectations!
Brigitta
March 10, 2018 at 12:24 PMOh no, not another bucket list item!
This is gorgeous <3
Deeksha
March 10, 2018 at 2:20 PMWow!!! It’s heaven on earth!!
Cristina
March 10, 2018 at 6:37 PMItaly is such a gem, I’d love to see more of this country and see this island too. I’d never heard of this place before, I learned someting new now. 🙂 Nice pictures too!