• CH & IT Roadtrip
    Mui waiting for me to join him for a stroll in the gardens — Isola Bella, Stresa.
    Diana's Atrium, named for the pagan goddess (statue in the alcove) — Isola Bella, Stresa.A number of peacocks roam about freely ... this one patiently posed for me — Isola Bella.2Teatro Massimo ... with a number of visitors when we first arrive — Isola Bella, Stresa.Teatro Massimo ... 15 minutes later and hardly anyone else around — Isola Bella, Stresa.A few of the statues at Teatro Massimo — Isola Bella, Stresa.Statue of Neptune ... Teatro Massimo — Isola Bella, Stresa.Colorful flowers — Isola Bella, Stresa.One of the garden niches with a statue — Isola Bella, Stresa.A glimpse of the Parterre of Azaleas from the terrace — Isola Bella, Stresa.Parterre of Azaleas ... beyond the mountains is Switzerland — Isola Bella, Stresa.Parterre of Azaleas — Isola Bella, Stresa.Parterre of Azaleas — Isola Bella, Stresa.Color through a wrought iron gate — Isola Bella, Stresa.Gardens at Isola Bella, Stresa.The tower behind us now houses a café Parterre of Azaleas — Isola Bella, Stresa.Gardens at Isola Bella, Stresa.Garden of Love from the terrace — Isola Bella, Stresa.Designed in 1634, the Garden of Love retains its original Italian Garden layout — Isola Bella.The Garden of Love — Isola Bella, Stresa.Gardens at Isola Bella, Stresa.Glimpse of the palazzo through the trees in one of the gardens — Isola Bella, Stresa.Gardens at Isola Bella, Stresa.From the orchid greenhouse at the gardens of Isola Bella, Stresa.Waterfront on the back side of Isola Bella, Stresa.Mergansers entertain us as we wait for the boat to take us to the mainland — Isola Bella, Stresa.Bye bye Isola Bella ... from the boat back to Stresa, Italy.The terraces of the Garden of Love on Isola Bella ... from the boat ride back to Stresa.

    Verbania: D2 … Isola Bella (the Gardens)

    August 1 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    And then there were the gardens at Isola Bella … some of which predate the construction of the palazzo.

    The formal Italian-style baroque gardens continue the over-the-top theme of the palazzo outside. Beautiful … perfectly manicured … flowers adding pops of color … white peacocks strolling about freely.

    We spent quite a bit of time at Teatro Massimo, the section of the garden that consists of ten terraces that form a truncated pyramid … surrounded by sculptures and parterres. And also at the Garden of Love, which retains its original Italian Garden layout from the 17th century.

    When we first arrived at Teatro Massimo, there were a number of visitors dawdling in front of the main feature … returning 15 minutes later, there was hardly a soul around … perfect for a selfie. The rest of the gardens were crowd-free for some reason. No complaints. It made for a peaceful stroll as we checked out the nooks and crannies.

    Turns out that the tower at the far end of the gardens has been turned into a café. We debated getting some pastries and tea, and sitting down for a bit. But ended up getting some gelato on the run so that we would have time to explore the island village. Should have done the tea and pastries as we were disappointed that the village consisted of little more than shops and restaurants.

    Returning to the pier for the ride back to Stresa, we were entertained by a flock of mergansers swimming near the shoreline … and small brown birds in search of tidbits of snacks dropped on the ground by visitors.

    The boat returned us directly to Stresa, so it was a really short ride … one that, however, gave us a chance to see Isola Bella from the water.    Read more