Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II

Tripoto
24th Aug 2014
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 1/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 2/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 3/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola La Malghera
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 4/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - View fom Isola Bella
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 5/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 6/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 7/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 8/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 9/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella (the gardens)
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 10/24 by Kristoffer
Local resident welcoming visitors
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 11/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella (the gardens)
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 12/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 13/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella (the gardens)
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 14/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Arona
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 15/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Maggiore - Arona
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 16/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Bellagio
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 17/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Villa Melzi D'Eril
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 18/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Villa Melzi D'Eril
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 19/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Villa Melzi D'Eril
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 20/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Villa Melzi D'Eril
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 21/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 22/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Villa Melzi D'Eril
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 23/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Bellagio
Photo of Best of the Italian Lakes: Part II 24/24 by Kristoffer
Lake Como - Cernobbio - Villa D'Este

During my part I series: "Best of the Italian Lakes" I was pleased to share with with you our three day journey to the beautiful lakes of Iseo, Garda, and parts of Como.  For my encore visit  I wanted take in the other half of the Italian Lakes (no pun intended) with a visit to the other side of Lake Como and beautiful Lake Maggiore.  

Getting to either Lake Como or Lake Maggiore is an easy 30 to 90 minute trip by car from Milan in reasonable traffic.  With their close proximity to Milan, it is no wonder that both Como and Maggiore are a popular destination for metro residents in the mood for a afternoon or half weekend getaway from the concrete jungle.

Located near the center of the lake, Stresa offers easy access to the Borromean Islands, a group of three small islands and two islets located in the western arm of the lake. We chartered a ferry to the two major islands: Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. Isola dei Pescator with its fishing village is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. It boast numerous shops and restaurants and is quite "busy"! If scenery is what you're looking for, Isola Bella offers postcard snapshots of its 17th century palazzo and beautiful gardens. However, if privacy is your goal, then the tiny uninhabited rock of Malghera (dubbed "Lover's Island"), with an area of only 200 square meters, lies between Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori and offers bushy vegetation and a small private beach.
Photo of Stresa, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy by Kristoffer
Travel about 19 km south of Stresa and you'll find the quite lakeside town of Arona. Despite what you may think, its main economic industry is tourism, especially from Milan, France and Germany. The Lungolago (or "Lakeside") offers beautiful views of Lake Maggiore as well as a fine view of the castle Borromeo on the opposite shore.
Photo of Arona, Novara, Italy by Kristoffer
Situated at the crossroads of the "Y" shaped Lake Como, the town of Bellagio serves as a hub for ferry transports to opposite sides of the lake. It also offers fine dinning at a nearby lakeside beach club which is perfect for those slow weekend afternoons. But if you're looking for quiet walks surrounded by beautiful landscapes, then Villa Melzi d'Eril built in the 19th century with its English style gardens will supply your needs.
Photo of Bellagio, Como, Italy by Kristoffer
The comune of Cernobbio at the southwest part of Lake Como is only a mere 2 km from the town of Como. The easiest way to get there from Bellagio is by ferry to Cadenabbia then take via Statale 340 south. Once you get there, a visit to Villa d'Este is a must! The grounds surrounding the hotel are magnificent as well as the pool on the lake and listening to the live outdoor music.
Photo of Cernobbio, Como, Italy by Kristoffer