Author: Simona

Near Lake Maggiore, on the shores of the Lake Orta, the village Orta San Giulio has a truly romantic atmosphere. Orta San Giulio is located in Piedmont, on the eastern shore of Lake Orta, near the bigger Lake Maggiore, about 45 km from Novara. The small village has a historical, artistic and natural heritage that makes it one of the loveliest tourist destinations, but still out of the beaten paths and mostly underrated. Orta San Giulio is perfect for a romantic weekend or a trip out of town. The town is part of the network of the most beautiful villages in Italy, which awards small towns of great historical and artistic interest. Among the narrow streets of Orta San Giulio, in a place where time seems to have stopped, there is a colorful world to explore. Discover what you can see in this fairy-tale village. 1-Historical center The historical center stands on a small peninsula surrounded by the lake and it winds up the hill. It is a real pleasure to stroll in the village, getting lost in its narrow streets, from which there are picturesque views of the lake and San Giulio Island. Each street hides a small treasure: a colorful house, a craft store with a particular sign, a small fishing boat anchored at the pier, a window decorated with plants and flowers. Piazza Motta is the heart of the village: here are held all the events of the village, from the weekly market to concerts. 2-Villa Bossi One of the buildings that is really worth a visit is the current seat of the town hall, Villa Bossi. It is accessible from a wrought iron door that overlooks the central street of the village. This large residence has undergone different restoration and enlargement works carried out over the

Among the best Lake Maggiore day trips to undertake in spring, you cannot miss Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens, a riot of colors and lights! Let’s discover something more on their history and how they surprise visitors in every season. Villa Taranto and the intuition of a Scottish Captain The Botanical Gardens consist of a 16 hectares park directly on the western shore of Lake Maggiore, in Pallanza, Verbania. They were born from the botanical passion of Captain Neil McEacharn who bought the land in 1931 from the Marchioness of Sant'Elia to transform it into an extraordinary botanical garden. Born in the south of Scotland in 1884, McEacharn came from a Scottish wealthy noble family, which allowed him to devote himself full time to the great passions of his life: botany, gardening and travel. He managed to travel around the world several times to witness and study different plant species and varieties. It was in 1931, on his return home after a long stay in Venice, that Neil McEacharn read an advertisement in the Times about the sale of a villa in Pallanza on the Castagnola hill. Despite the abandoned condition of the villa, the Captain decided to buy it to fulfill his life-longing dream of transforming the park into a beautiful botanical garden with a rich collection of plants from all over the world. Trusting in the beauty of the place, in the mildness of the climate and in the incredible work of terracing and excavation, the Captain was able to combine aesthetic and botanical needs. He bought other adjacent lands and in the 16 hectares of the property he created woods, borders and valleys of shrubs, flowerbeds, parterres, lawns, ponds, greenhouses and planted plants from all over the world, forming collections of great scientific value that now count 8,500

One of the best Lake Maggiore walking tours is discovering the village of Cannobio. Lying three kilometers from the border to Switzerland, this charming and welcoming village, hidden by a green valley, is a real jewel on Lake Maggiore. It is the ideal destination for an active holiday combined with relax, given its vocation for walking and cycling. Coming from the south, from Verbania, you drive along the suggestive coastline that skirts this rather impervious stretch of lake that will give you incredible panorama such as the sight of Cannero Castles, wrapped in an atmosphere where history and legend merge. Continuing on, you reach Punta Amore: after the umpteenth bend, the village appears in one of its most enchanting views. Welcome to Cannobio! Located on the mouth of the river Cannobino, on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, it is the first Italian town on the route that connects Northern Europe, through the St. Gotthard and the San Bernardino, to Italy. Cannobio is a real "Borderland" - not only geographically - between Piedmont, Lombardy and Ticino, which have mutually conditioned its history, contributing to create a particular atmosphere. Let’s discover 5 insider tips by locals to plan the best walking tours on Lake Maggiore. 1# Lake Maggiore Walking Tours - Explore the historical center and the Lakefront You will have free time to explore the historical center and begin to breathe in the intimate atmosphere of this town. Lose yourself in the cobbled alleys that climb from Via Castello to the Borgo. You will feel in a timeless atmosphere. Walk along the lakefront with the ancient eighteenth-century houses lined up in front of the coastline until you reach the Lido. 2# Lake Maggiore Walking Tours - Rest and have fun at Lido The Lido of Cannobio is one of the