Lake Maggiore is one of the three most picturesque Italian lakes and a true jewel, believed to be the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name "Maggiore" which means largest. It is of glacial origin and its banks are spread over Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. Lake Maggiore has enchanted plenty of Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here, surrounded by mountains and hills that shelter it from the cold northern winds. Including Ticino River among its tributaries, it gains also in historical character since this is a historic water route connecting the Po Valley to Central Europe.
Lake Maggiore is in a prime location, allowing the guests not only to explore the lake environment but also to reach some of the most prestigious areas and Italian cities such as Milan in less than an hour or the famous Lake Como. The Italian wine enthusiasts can reach in less than two hours the exquisite vinicultural farms over the Langhe and the Monferrato hills or alternatively the wineries in the Franciacorta region. For those who don’t mind a trip with a high-speed train, cities such as Venice, Florence, Verona, Bologna or Turin, whose beauty and charm are globally acknowledged are not that far.
Beautiful villas and imposing fortresses and castles are located around the lake and its 11 surrounding islands, whose history and culture enriches the impeccable charm of the lake: the Castello Visconteo of Locarno, the Rocca of Arona and the Rocca Borromea Angera which now houses a doll's museum. Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Madre and Isola Bella, the eighteenth-century Villa Ponti in Arona and Villa Treves in Belgirate, which hosted Gabriele D'Annunzio and Giovanni Verga among its guests, are just some of the very interesting villas.
Lake Maggiore will satisfy the most demanding nature lovers with its stunning botanical gardens, including Villa Taranto with more than a thousand plants, Alpinia extending over 40,000 square meters, the Camelia Park in the Locarno and numerous others. There are also many nature reserves such as the National Park of Val Grande and the Natural Park of the Ticino Valley, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Lake Maggiore is also a natural paradise for sports lovers. In the surrounding areas of the lake, you can practice sports such as hiking, biking, golf, and horseback riding, immersed in natural landscapes of rare beauty. The lake waters are ideal for sailing, canoeing, yachting, water skiing and scuba diving activities.
The birthplace of the Roman Empire and Renaissance, Italy, showcases many of the world’s greatest artworks, architectural buildings and over the top gastronomical proposals. This is the country where the word “style” expresses the whole nation. Italy has more Unesco World Heritage cultural sites than any other country; among them are Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Michelangelo’s David and Sistine Chapel and da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
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