A private panoramic and original tour around Lake Maggiore
- 7 hours
- 5 languages
- Private tour
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
The two sides of Lake Maggiore are amazingly different: westwards, the sweet sines of the gulf on which Stresa and Baveno lay, in front of the charming Borromean Islands with their botanical gardens and villas. Eastwards, the deep waters in which high and wooded cliffs tumble down. This private tour will allow you to enjoy this beautiful diversity, taking you to the discovery of two jewels, built sheer up on the water: the Borromean fortress of Angera, now a museum with, amazing Medieval decorations, the massive tower, from which your gaze can abrace a beautiful panorama and its Medieval garden. Then, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, a religiuos complex perched on the cliff , overlooking Lake Maggiore. You'll realize how beauty has really occupied any possible space in these surroundings.
Inclusions
What's included
- Private transportation
- Qualified private guide
- Entrance tickets to Borromeo Fortress and to St. Catherine's Hermitage
What's not
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Itinerary
This small town, standing on the Western coast of Lake Maggiore in the so-called Borromea Gulf, is one of the most visited touristic sites of entire Piemonte. Its territory includes three of the four Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Superiora, also named Isola dei Pescatori. The first recorded file about the town is dated 998, but even in the Roman age, the way leading from Milan to the Sempione pass ran by this site.
This fortress dominates the Southern edge of lake Maggiore. It was gradually built enclosing different cores, between the 11th and the 17th century. Several families took part to the building: the Scaligeris, the Viscontis, the Borromeos. The interiors feature several frescoed halls, including the outstanding "Sala di Giustizia", decorated in the 13th century by the so-called Maesto di Angera. Since 1988, the castle has hosted the Museum of dolls and puppets, founded by lady Bona Borromeo Arese. Another remarkable feature of the castel is its Medieval gardens, hosting a collection of rare herbs and plants described in ancient documents.
According to the tradition, this amazing monastery was founded as a simple chapel in the 12th century by a merchant, survived to a storm and then retired here in prayer and contemplation. The two churches of San Nicolao and Santa Maria Nova, in the 14th century, originated the actual monastery. A religious community survived until 1770, when the monastery was suppressed. after a massive restoring in the 1970s, it reopened in the Eighties. The hermitage has been a National monument since 1914.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Book Your Italy
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Lake Maggiore
- Its from-price is 104% above the median of the 18 day trips we list in Lake Maggiore.
- Its length is typical for the group.
About Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is a long Alpine lake shared by Italy and Switzerland, with the Borromean Islands, villa gardens and mountains at its back.
Lake Maggiore stretches for some 60 km from the Swiss canton of Ticino south into Piedmont and Lombardy, and it is the second largest lake in Italy after Garda. Its western shore holds the resort towns of Stresa, Baveno and Verbania, with grand 19th-century hotels along the water and mountains rising behind. The mild climate allows palms, camellias and azaleas to flourish in the lakeside gardens.
Top-ranked sights in Lake Maggiore: Palazzo Borromeo, Gardens of Villa Taranto (Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto).
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