Visit of Stresa and boat tour of the islands Borromee (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori).
Info & Booking
Visit of Stresa and boat tour of the islands Borromee (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori).
Available in English, from April 1st to October 31st, as follows:
- Monday (English)
- Sunday (English and Portuguese)
Time: 1:30pm; duration: 7 hours and a half.
Departure: Foro Bonaparte n. 76, at the corner with Via Cusani
Children under 4 years old free.
Departure with at least 4 people booked, maximum 50.
Includes:
- Transportation
- Guide in indicated language
ATTENTION: tour includes entrances to places of worship: no shorts and sleeveless tops. Comfortable shoes advised.
Not included: tips and personal extras.
Cancellation policy: No penalties for bookings canceled at least 2 working days before date of tour. 100% penalty for cancellation within 2 working days, no-show or late arrival on departure.
Lake Maggiore
On the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore (or Verbano) is the second largest Italian lake, after Lake Garda. Most of the lake lies in Italian territory and only the most northerly end (42 sq km) belongs to Switzerland.
Like the other northern Italian lakes, Lake Maggiore's credentials as a tourist destination date back to the early twentieth century, when illustrious visitors enjoyed life in luxurious lakeside villas and verdant gardens. Ernest Hemingway was one of them – setting part of his Farewell to Arms in Stresa, which is your first stop of the day. Stresa is a lovely town on the western shore of the lake, with elegant villas and gardens (some open to the public), beautiful lake views, and a climate that allows for mediterranean vegetation such as olive and lemon trees.
From Stresa, you'll take a ferry to the Borromean islands, named after the family which owned the small islands and made them into luscious floating gardens between the 16th and 19th centuries. You will have a chance to visit Isola Bella, and have free time for lunch and relaxation on the tiny Isola dei Pescatori.
In the afternoon, a boat will take you back to Stresa where your bus will be waiting for you. On the way back to Milan, we'll make a short stop in Arona at the south-western end of the lake. One of the most celebrated Borromeo family members, Saint Charles Borromeo, was born in the castle in Arona, where a gigantic statue celebrates him. Climb up inside the hollow structure, and you'll admire a stunning view onto the lake and the snow-capped Alps through the saint's eyes.