Italian Lakes

1 Isole Borromee

With its intricate Italianate garden resembling a ship, Isola Bella is the most striking of this cluster of islands near Stresa; Isola Madre, the largest, has landscaped botanical gardens famous for its many azaleas, camellias and wisteria. Both islands also have remarkable Baroque Palazzo Borromeo buildings. The third island, Isola dei Pescatori, has cobbled paths, an authentic fishing village and the 11th-century San Vittore church, while tiny Isolotto della Malghera has little more than a beach.

2 Northern Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore (also called Verbano) narrows at its northern tip, with steep mountain ranges pushing in on the