Travel: Lago Maggiore, Italy
Lago Maggiore…. Sounds lovely in Italian coz end vowels are always accentuated and strongly emphasized which gives Italian its dramatic opera-like flow. While the Spanish preferred my French to slow Spanish in Alicante, in Italy (where I speak perhaps 20 words, and my good Italian long time friend assures me “Spanish is NOT any where close to Italian) I get by on English!
Approximately two hours from Milan, the place to be on Lago Maggiore is Stresa. A pretty place with mini beaches, beautiful park with huge old trees providing shade. Car parks host seemingly only Italian cars and a few French. Onto the mini harbour boat traffic is constant because there are three Borromean islands. The biggest, Isola Bella, a treasure trove of Baroque art and then a smaller one of which I can’t find the name but we will call it lunch/apperetiv island! The water in Lago Maggiore is perfectos on a 30 plus hot Italian summer day. It has a lovely scent, is clear and invitingly cold and fresh.
Isola Bella history after the pics below…. And above the lunch island, five minute boat ride from Isola Bella.
Isola Bella has a long history dating back to the 1600’s. Bought by a rich family (a Baron from the Borromean family) it was in bad state with a gothic miserable name. He re-named it after his wife Isabella and restored the building to what is is today, a palace which ten million visitors come to admire each year, the past investments of this rich family of bankers from Milano.
The gardens were landscaped into a royal paradise. A work of fine art with a structure hosting four columns, representing the four elements, and statues with further symbolism with the key figure being a unicorn.
The palace, without airco although stunning, I kind of raced through as I have seen many museums of fine art and the gardens were my priority. The grand Piano in the salon though was unique.
Italian food is pure, and so is their art. If it is spaghetti and tomato, little else touches the palette. Their gardens too are pure. Symmetrical, stylish and perfect. We had lunch on the next island, smaller with a few hotels, many restaurants, a few beaches and beautiful alleys as village streets. All pebble stones and artisan stalls selling everything in authentic Italian style.
Back on Stresa mainland….. For tourists there are quite a few splendid architecturally British old five star hotels. Imagine a 10 floor by 15 rooms building, each metal decorative balcony adorned with massive flower boxes. Quite a sight to behold. Italians love flowers!
Pictures paint 1000’s of words so you may decide but for me, one thing is sure. My soul is enchanted and to Lago Maggiore I will return. To stay just there and assimilate all its beauty and style in long large doses!! Travelling must be the healthiest drug there is……. Expensive but worth every penny as the returns are priceless. As Taylor Swift sings… “enchanted to meet you”……. That was the rendezvous avec Lago Maggiore. Music to the eye…
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment!