ISOLA BELLA

Isola Bella (lit. 'beautiful island') is one of the Borromean Islands of Lago Maggiore in north Italy. The island is situated in the Borromean Gulf 400 metres from the lakeside town of Stresa. Isola Bella is 320 metres long by 400 metres wide and is entirely occupied by the Palace and its Italianate garden.  Wikipedia - see entry for more historical details

The classic beauty spot and must do on Lake Maggiore and another revisit after 50 years - more market stalls and more visitors, but gardens essentially the same and the palace, I am sure is exactly the same.  Not that I remember the palace - perhaps I was bored or it wasn't open to the public then.  Tourism season definitely winding down and the crowds were nothing like they would have been  few weeks ago - apparently the water taxis and ferries are packed and the island is overrun with visitors.

As you will see from the photos though, I managed quite a few without another person in them - an achievment of sorts I think!

The Palace as you approach by ferry - perfect Italian lakes day





Gardens from all angles with terraces, sculptures and views in all directions


 

Inside the palace - grottoes on the whole of the lower floors lined with tufa and pebbles and now housing further priceless treasures to the ones that are scattered throughout the building - and we only saw a fraction of the rooms.   The grottoes being a nice cool space in the heat of the summer.

The Borromea family still use the palace and island in the summer - must be a bit of a pest to have all these damn tourists milling around!