Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is one of the three main Italian Lakes in this region. It is very large, part of it extends into Switzerland. The obligatory boat ride took us to Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island and the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo.
It looks a strange, haunting island as you approach it and it’s even stranger when you walk round it. The Palazzo is hideous! It is a mixture of mostly Italian Baroque and just about every other architectural style – right up to the 20th Century all jumbled together. This is a good example of extravagance beating good taste hands down. It reminds me of a kitsch multi-purpose film set. That said, the main rooms are certainly spectacular and the basement, “grotto” style rooms are worth seeing.
Ann & Norah in one of the ground floor “grottos”
However forget the Palazzo – the gardens are great. The plan was to give these terraces a nautical feel. If you are going to construct a “folly” in your garden, it may as well be stunning. They don’t come much more overpowering than this! The architect forgot to stop adding bits to it.
Isola Bella lived up to its name. It made most of us want to visit the Italian lakes again, but next time when the weather is better!
