Lake Maggiore, Italy

Lake Maggiore is famous for being incredibly picturesque, and leisurely days spent visiting the towns and villages dotted around the water’s edge are an absolute must when staying in the area. We recommend taking a few days to explore as many of these charming places as you can, but if you only have time for one, make it Stresa. Occupying a breathtaking position on the slopes of Mount Mottarone, Stresa is a lakefront village full of charming villas and elegant parks, with extraordinary views of the lake, mountains, and the Borromean Islands in the center of Maggiore. Speaking of which, a day trip to the Borromean Islands is another day well spent on a Lake Maggiore vacation. Isola Bella (the Beautiful Island) is the smallest and most unmissable,  with a stunning botanical garden and historic Baroque palace filled with tapestries, furniture, and paintings from a bygone age. 

On the southern shores of Lake Maggiore is another historic gem; Rocca Borromea de Angerra, a beautiful castle built between the 11th and 17th centuries. Featuring ancient frescoes, a doll and toy museum, and a Medieval garden, it is a trip back in time on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

An Italian vacation revolves around great food, and Lake Maggiore is no exception. Fine local food, pizza, seafood, and pasta are the main dishes on offer. One of the top-rated restaurants in the area is Trattoria Cannobio da Ale & Vale in Cannobio, a traditional Italian place serving up exquisite dishes using local flavors such as scallops, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, and clams. More authentic dishes with a personal touch are available at Trattoria della stella in Verbania, while fantastic homemade pizza is on offer at Pizzotta in Gavirate.