Lake Maggiore & Isola Bella

We left the Italian Riviera today and headed for the Italian Lakes. Lunch was at Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore and then we hopped on a boat and spent the afternoon on Isola Bella, touring the gardens and palace.

So, in the 1600's, the Pope gives you three islands on Lake Maggiore as a reward for your loyalty - what do you do? You name them after yourself - the Borromeo Islands - and you build yourself a 'holiday house' on one and name it Isola Bella, after your wife Isabella.

The Borromeo family, one of Italy's richest, still owns the islands today.

Isola Bella is stunning and the perfect example of complete excess and immense wealth.Read more