Italy/Switzerland: Lago Maggiore
A climate like that of the Côte d´Azur has created exotic islands in the clear mountain waters of Lago Maggiore, both in Italy and Switzerland. Man included castles and baroque palaces, to which villas, gardens and grand hotels were added during the Belle Époque. A wonderful spring destination.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01593] While in high season tourists are trapped in the traffic on the road circling Lago Maggiore, a few hundred meters up you'll find perfect quietness. Take a hike and share the marvellous panoramas with the goats. The Alto Verbano offers the best slopes for such walks. Photo taken near Piancavallo by Paul Smit.
ITALY.PIEMONTE 01609] Not only on the islands, on the shores of Lago Maggiore you encounter gardens as well. The one of Villa Taranto, situated on a peninsula between Intra and Pallanza, was designed by a Scottish officer. He loved brash colours, like the violent purple of this hibiscus (probably Hibiscus moscheutos 'Fireball'). Photo Paul Smit.
Sunrise over Isola dei Pescatori.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01644] The only true village of the Borromeo Islands is situated on Isola dei Pescatori, the Fishermen's Island. Once only the fishermen from this island had the right to fish in the Lago Maggiore. Nowadays the inhabitants catch tourists in their fishrestaurants and souvenirshops. Between 11 am and 5 pm it's a kermis, but beyond and out of season it has lost little of its charm. Photo Paul Smit.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01662] The 'beautiful island', main sight of the Lago Maggiore, is a man made piece of art. The garden is an ode to rationality, typical for the baroque. Strong geometry and symmetry typify the terraces rising high above the lake, adorned with statues and balustrades. At the same time the garden breathes surrealism. Photo Paul Smit.
In the gardens of Isola Bella.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01684] View over Lago Maggiore from the gardens of Isola Bella, indeed the 'beautiful island.' Photo Paul Smit.
[ITALY.LOMBARDIA 01809] The Santa Caterina hermitage is built on a breathtaking spot halfway up a cliff over Lago Maggiore. Here a hermit once retreated in a cave. He helped people with spiritual advise and medical care. Asking what he wanted in return he said "a chapel." Later a church and small monastery grew from it, still occupied by several lay brothers and sisters plus one friar and open to visitors. Photo Paul Smit.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01623] After sunset sauntering is the thing to do along the boulevard of Pallanza, the prettiest town of the Verbania municipality. Although the saunterers have vanished in the long photo exposure, the film did register other typical mediterranean lakeshore ingredients. Photo Paul Smit.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01640] The only true village of the Borromeo Islands is situated on Isola dei Pescatori, the Fishermen's Island. Once only the fishermen from this island had the right to fish in the Lago Maggiore. Nowadays the inhabitants catch tourists in their fishrestaurants and souvenirshops. Between 11 am and 5 pm it's a kermis, but beyond and out of season it has lost little of its charm. Photo Paul Smit.
Angler at Isola dei Pescatori.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01650] Trying to catch an early morning fish at Isola dei Pescatori, the Fishermen's Island in Lago Maggiore. Photo Paul Smit.
[ITALY.PIEMONTE 01661] The 'beautiful island', main sight of the Lago Maggiore, is a man made piece of art. The garden is an ode to rationality, typical for the baroque. Strong geometry and symmetry typify the terraces rising high above the lake, adorned with statues and balustrades. At the same time the garden breathes surrealism. Photo Paul Smit.