Lake Maggiore

From Lake Como, the next stop is Lake Maggiore. Take advantage of the expressways to make your drive as easy as possible because there is usually heavy traffic in this part of Italy. It is best to head directly south in the direction of Milan to pick up the freeway. Keep on the bypass that skirts the north side of Milan and take the freeway northwest to Lake Maggiore . Like Lake Garda and Lake Como, Maggiore offers ferries to many of its quaint towns and adds a special treat, the Borromean Islands, a small archipelago of three small islands, Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori. These enchanting islands can be reached by ferry from Stresa, Baveno, or Pallanza, but the most convenient of these departure points is Stresa. There are private taxi-boats available, but the most reasonable transportation is by public ferry. Another sightseeing excursion on Lake Maggiore is to the park at Villa Taranto. Its gardens, created in the 20^th century by a Scottish captain, Neil McEacharn, are splendid with over 2000 species of plants, including huge water lilies, giant rhododendrons, and colorful azaleas. Adding to the botanical masterpiece, are fountains, waterfalls, beautiful trees and sculptures.