6032 Piedmont Lake District

Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, two of the most beutiful of the Italian Lakes are located in the north eastern corner of Piedmont. Several of the other Italian lakes can be accessed as part of a driving trip in this direction (Lake Como for example). Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta are both in Piedmont, Lake Como is in Lombardy.

Don't forget to visit the famous resort of Stresa made famous when the Venice Sempon express (the Orient Express) chose the town as a stopping place on the grand tour. Stresa retains its "Bele Epoc" era charm with many period buidings (outstanding hotels) and scenes.
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Maggiore, one of the larger lakes it is possible to take short or long boat tours, the Northern shores are in Switzerland, so don't forget your passport. The Borromeo islands, close to the shore near Stresa are worthy of a visit. Island Bella is a former fishermans village with small streets and simple resteraunts. Visiting Mansion Borromeo you can inspect over 20 period rooms with stuccoes, statues, paintings and Tapestries not to mention the murano glass chandeliers. The mansion gardens (pictured above) are world famous and featured on many a guide book to this region. From the upper terraces there are great views over the lake & the gulf borromeo.

There are botanical gardens on the hillside above the lake at Villa Taranto. About 20 hectares and over 20,000 species make this of huge importance . It is also possible to take a cable car from Stresa to a high alpine park above the lake, offering views of the high alps and lakes.

Determined drivers can circumnavigate the lake in it's entirity (only a few tunnels to block the great views) - but it is a full day's drive alowing for meal and photo stops.