A boat reserved for our group by Daniela departed in the early morning for a tour of the islands. En route our captain pointed out the homes of the rich and famous, including villas frequented by Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. Our first stop, Isola Bella, is the site of Palazzo Borromeo, named for the Cardinal patron saint of Lago Maggiore. Although the palazzo itself was closed for the season, we nosed about the exterior and investigated the wares offered by local merchants- scarves, handbags, magnets, anyone? A brief run then landed us at the picturesque fishing village aptly named Isola Pescatori.
A view from the hotel of some of the islands of Lago Maggiore
A boat tour on the Lago Maggiore