1. An archipelago of wonders - the Isole Borromee

“No man is an island” is a famous line by the English poet John Donne. He still hadn’t seen the Isole Borromee though! Oslands always bring an aura of fascination and charm and visiting this delightful archipelago will add some fancy dolce vita vibes to your experience. Made up by four islands  - Bella, dei Pescatori, Madre and San Giovanni – planning a stay or an outing on three extraordinary gems  - the latter cannot be visited –will amaze you. Think white peacocks on Isola Bella’s tiered gardens, a magnificent baroque Palazzo Borromeo – the Borromeo family have owned the islands since the 17th c. and dreamy views all around.

Enjoy the true fishermen’s atmosphere on the Pescatori island, the tiniest and the only one with permanent residents. Visit on 15th August and you will admire the boat parade that ferries a statue of the Virgin around the island. Isola Madre hosts a superb palazzo with a lovely Salone Veneziano, with trompe l’oeuil decorations and enticing botanical gardens. Pick one island or see them all to soak in the exceptional atmosphere of the lake. 

3. Golfing on lake Maggiore

Originating on the east coast of Scotland in the Middle Ages and generally associated with the town of Saint Andrew’s, where the first 18-hole golf course was established in 1764, the game of golf is enjoyed the world over and is a highly respected form of sport. In Italy, golf initially developed in the northern regions, courtesy of the many British tourists who travelled to the peninsula for the Grand Tour, and that’s where the majority of courses are found, later to expand to southern parts of the country as well.

In the Lake Maggiore Golf District you will find some of the most scenic golf courses in the world, with views over the Sempione and Monte Rosa mountain ranges, the lakes and even the Milan skyline on a clear day.  Marking its centenary this year, the Golf Club Alpino in Stresa was planned by the Irish architect Peter Gannon – famous for having designed many renowned courses in Italy and abroad – and hosted the first Open competition in the country in 1925. Located on the hill above Stresa and Lesa, at 600m above sea level, the Des Iles Borromées Golf Club offers exceptional views onto the entire Alpine range and the four lakes (Maggiore, Varese, Monate and Comabbio). The Golf Club Bogogno is an exclusive club and resort with stunning views of Monte Rosa and offers a spa, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a restaurant and a hotel, while the Golf Club Castelconturbio sees an open-air swimming pool, for the exclusive use of its guests. Founded in 1934, at the Golf Club Varese you will find a spectacular 18-hole golf course in an area where playing is a true joy. Time to choose your favourite golf clubs and play!

5. Blooms of glory – botanic gardens on the lake

The country that saw the first ever botanic garden in the world – Giardino botanico dell’Università di Padova, established by the Republic of Venice in 1545 – can only boast a supreme selection of some of the most sublime gardens and botanic gardens. Given its varied climate, exposures and soils, Italy offers an unmatched array of small natural wonders that will please the eyes and enrich your souls. On the shores of ethereal lake Maggiore you will find the splendid Villa Taranto in Pallanza, Alpinia above Stresa and Intragnola gardens by Laveno Mombello, on the Lombardy shore of the lake. Spring is naturally the best season to visit these impressive sites.

Villa Taranto is perhaps the most celebrated and was founded by the Scottish captain Neil Mc Eacharn in 1940, with the gardens opening to the public in 1952; now the garden impresses with a stunning collection of rare botanical species, lotus flowers, a herbarious and a wellness garden, creating a stunning scenario with more than twenty thousand flower varieties. The Alpinia garden is located in Alpino, 800 m above sea level and is made up by two interconnecting, circular paths that go via a wood and the main garden. A rich collection of more than 700 species of flowers, the garden also features a natural spring that comes directly from the Mottarone mountain. The park at Villa Intragnola dates back to the early Novecento and hosts an English-style garden with a lovely collection of exotic conifers. Visits are by appointment only. Cannero Riviera dedicates two week-ends in March to citrus fruits, with visits to the Parco degli Agrumi and added concerts, exhibitions, themed menus and sensorial labs where you can train your sense of smell and learn to select the many varieties. A special mention also goes to the Bercencione, a citrus-scented tea created by students of local schools, this year celebrating its twenty-year anniversary. Cannero will also dedicate the last week-end in March to camellias, in a tribute to this glorious flower, as a way to kick off the spring season. A triumph of scents and colours awaits

7. Routes of devotion – sacred mounts in northern Italy

Pioneering adventurers and tranquil, daydreaming souls will agree on the poetic beauty of natural lakes encased within a mountain backdrop. Among its many lovely places, Friuli boasts several, lovely lakes that lure you with their natural appeal. The Fusine lakes, close to the border with Slovenia, are indeed magical. Made up by an upper lake and a lower one, they lie at the foot of the Mangart massif in the Julian Alps in a wild, imposing setting, part of the natural border with Slovenia. South of Tarvisio, Predil Lake is spectacular, being surrounded by a lush wood populated with various animals, and imposing mountains featuring waterfalls and ponds: ideal for sport lovers, you can hike around the lake, swim, take up windsurf or even go canoeing on this splendid stretch of water.  Cavazzo Lake, also known as Lago dei Tre Comuni, is Friuli’s largest natural lake, touching upon three different municipalities. Its crystalline waters mean water sports are superb, such as kayaking or swimming, but also hiking or simply lounging by the water, making this the ideal place for families as well. And the list continues with other stunning natural lakes such as Avostanis, Volaia, Bordagna or Ragogna, for a region that keeps on revealing its sparkling side.