Is there a border between Italy and Switzerland? Walk along the Swiss border
On November 30, Switzerland will hold a referendum on sharply limiting immigration into the country. Reuters photographer Denis Balibouse did not wait for this date and not long ago walked along the border of Switzerland with France, Italy, Germany and Austria.
On November 30, the Swiss will vote in a referendum to limit immigration into the country to 0.2% of the population, or 16,000 people per year. In 2013, net migration was five times higher, at 82,800, according to national statistics.
1. Military reconstruction at the place where Germany, France and Switzerland met in 1914. Ahead is a sign of the Western Front during. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse).
Initiative “Stop Overpopulation - Save Ours” Natural resources was launched by environmental organization Ekopop shortly after voters overwhelmingly backed a proposal to introduce quotas for EU citizens.
2. A Swiss plane was seen at Cointrin airport on the border with France, April 28, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
4. Saut du Doubs waterfall, on the border between Switzerland (left) and France (right), April 23, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
5. Border between Liechtenstein (back) and Switzerland, May 14, 2014. Also see "". (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
6. Theme park dinosaurs on the border of France (front) and Switzerland, April 24, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
7. A pillar on the ridge that separates Switzerland (left) and Italy (right), Monte Generoso, May 11, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
8. Sign marking the border between France (back) and Switzerland (front), April 22, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
9. Swiss border guards on the border between Italy and Switzerland, May 12, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
10. Stalagmites in a cave on the border of France and Switzerland, April 24, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
11. The ship coming from Lake Geneva on Lake Leman on the border between Switzerland and France near Lausanne, May 8, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
12. A stone in front of a dam marking the border between Italy and Switzerland in Zernez, May 13, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
13. The border between Italy and Switzerland in Zernez runs along the dam, May 13, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
14. The border of three countries on the Rhine River - France (left), Switzerland (where the sculpture is) and Germany, April 30, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
15. A lizard on the border between Italy (back) and Switzerland (front) in Santa Margherita, May 12, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
16. Climbers climb a glacier between Switzerland (right) and Italy (left) on the famous alpine resort Zermatt 4 August 2014. It is among the most prestigious year-round resorts world, located at an altitude of 1620 m. (Photo by Reuters | Denis Balibouse):
17. Border between Italy and Switzerland in Zernez, May 13, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
18. Border in the forest between France (front) and Switzerland (back) in the Vallée de Joux, April 9, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
19. The border on the ridge separating Switzerland (left) and Italy (right) in Monte Generoso, May 11, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
20. Climbers on the border between Switzerland (left) and Italy (right) in the Alpine resort of Zermatt, August 4, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse):
22. The border at an altitude of 4,164 meters between Switzerland (left) and Italy (right) in the Alpine resort of Zermatt, August 4, 2014. (Reuters Photo | Denis Balibouse).
Is one of the most popular resorts in Western Europe. The Italian part of the lake is located in the provinces of Piedmont and, and the Swiss part is in the canton of Ticino. total area water surface is more than 200 square kilometers. Lago Maggiore was formed due to the melting of glaciers over millions of years and is a tectonic basin filled pure water and surrounded by high banks, behind which the outlines of the Lombardy Alps are visible.
The lake is blown by winds from all sides, and each direction has its own name. So “Mergozzo” means “western”, and “Maggiore” means “northern”, which is reflected in the name of the lake. Its main features are significant fluctuations in water levels throughout the year and tolerance to frost. Lago Maggiore does not freeze even in the coldest winters. Thanks to the mild climate and beautiful landscapes, these places attract thousands of people who want to relax on the picturesque shores of this Italian-Swiss resort all year round. In addition to tourism, the region has well-developed areas of activity such as fishing, shipping and aquatic species sports, and the cities of Cannobio and Stresa are especially popular among tourists, as they are located directly along the coast of Lago Maggiore.
Village Cannobio, located on the Italian territory of the lake, is a tiny settlement with about five thousand local residents who live in small one-story houses with tiled roofs. Among the attractions here are the Palazzo Mandamentale, in the picturesque mountain gorge of Van Cannobio and the church of Santupario della Pieta. The settlement has several hotels of category three and four stars. Clean mountain air and a convenient location relative to Lago Maggiore make Cannobio a great place for a quiet family holiday.
On the very shore of the lake, at the foot of the mountains Mottarone, there is an Italian commune called Stresa. After they built here railway, this resort has become the most visited in the region. For a long time, famous painters and artists of Europe rested here. At one time, even members of the British royal family preferred Stresa to other resorts. Picturesque parks and gardens, closed on all sides majestic mountains The Mottarones are impressive, and the city's architecture is reminiscent of traditional Italian culture from the Middle Ages. In turn, along the coast of Lago Maggiore, there are luxury villas and five-star hotels, which, despite high prices, almost always filled to capacity.
is a small Swiss town in the south of the country, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. In Europe, it became famous thanks to the annual international film festival, held in the month of August in the main city square, Piazza Grande. Being on the shores north coast Lago Maggiore, Locarno is considered a favorite resort area among residents of this region and its surrounding cities. The picturesque gorges of Vallemagia and Centovalli are considered a magnificent place for hiking trips, and the coast itself has excellent conditions for active pastime, including diving, water skiing and many others active entertainment. And those who are tired of contemplating the narrow streets of a provincial town can take the train at the nearest railway station, and after just half an hour find yourself in one of the most sophisticated Italian cities - Milan. A short distance from major cities The Italian-Swiss region is also considered a distinctive feature of Locarno.
Lago Maggiore is considered another cozy tourist place in the Swiss part of Lago Maggiore. This is also a small town with a population of just over 5,000 people. It is located at an altitude of 196 meters above sea level, on the picturesque hill of Monte Verita. At one time, such people were born here famous people, like the English writer James Hedley Chase, the Russian sailor Ferdinand Wrangel, the Italian architect Gaetano Matteo and the Catholic martyr Peter Berno. Every summer, Ascona hosts a jazz music festival, which attracts many fans of this musical style. The old district of the city is a treasure trove of historical attractions, including the ruins of the once majestic San Materno Castle, which have survived to this day. Cathedral San Pietro and the Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia. Ascona, like other resort towns of Lago Maggiore, receives special attention from tourists, but mainly in winter time year, taking into account the flatness of the mountains and the thickness of the snow cover.
The climate in the region is subtropical, despite the significant altitude above sea level and distance from the equator. These places are rich in fruits and green vegetation. At the same time, there are areas where the snow does not melt for years. By the end of April, hot summer reigns on Lago Magiorne. The air temperature from May to October does not fall below +22 degrees, and in June and July it can reach +30. Winter is never cold, so you can practically relax here all year round, regardless of preference. Both skis and poles and a mask and snorkel are in equal demand here. The infrastructure of the resorts is well-functioning at the traditional European level, and the hospitality of the local residents only complements the positive impressions of staying on the shores of Lago Magiorne.
Today we need to cross the border of Italy and Switzerland and get as close as possible to the beginning of the ascent to San Gotthard pass. Our minimum plan is to get to Bellinzona. There is a campsite there and I have my eye on a place for wild camping. I explained to Peter that the most difficult day would be Wednesday, tomorrow. But in order to save energy for the pass, we need to get to it today. We collected our things, bolted the wheels on our bikes, packed up and started looking for the road to the border. There is a road, but a little further down the slope there is a local path where you can climb on a bike. At first we pedaled uphill, and when we reached Bellinzona Street, the descent began. Along the edges of the street there are all sorts of shops, cafes and pizzerias. But many places are still closed. We found an open fruit stand and decided to buy groceries, because we were entering the expensive country of Switzerland. There was also an open cafe nearby, where we decided to drink hot coffee. I asked for cocoa, but there was none and they offered me hot chocolate. A small and cozy cafe, a respectable Italian bartender made us thick, hot and sweet chocolate. They paid 2 euros. He asked for a glass of water to wash it down. Grazia, Italy, we will come again someday.
They passed the border unnoticed. Not in the sense that we disguised ourselves and slipped through all the cardons unnoticed. At the border, which looks like two arches on the same street, two police officers stand and randomly check vans. Cars simply slow down at the STOP sign. And bicycles pass through the greenery. We smiled at the police, they smiled at us. We didn’t even understand whether they were Italian officers of the law or Swiss ones. Here we are in Switzerland. You need to check the map and find the correct exit from the city of Chiasso. The correct exit was a climb again, where, however, there was an excellent view from above of the city and the railway tracks.
Last night I discovered a problem with electronic devices. I tried to charge my Garmin tracker, which I use to track kilometers traveled, but it refused to charge. Most likely, while getting ready, I took the first USB cable I came across. It was from an external hard drive and is only suitable for data transfer, not charging. The problem is that Garmin charges from a mini-USB connector, when most devices around the world charge from micro-USB. We asked around about the wire or charger in a couple of stores cellular communication, but they did not have such a product. We were advised to stop by the large MediaMarkt in Lugano. Apparently we will do just that.
At the entrance to Lake Lugano the road goes along the shore. There are other cyclists coming towards us and there are many of them here. Most are on highways. When we were approaching the bridge, two guys in Astana uniform drove by on the opposite side of the road. Seeing the expressive shnobel, I was stunned. Fabio Aru himself drove towards us. This face cannot be confused with any other. Cool, I don’t really want to wash my eyes.
According to the route legend on the website veloland.ch, our path should have gone straight, but I determined from the map that we could take a noticeable shortcut and immediately enter Lugano. Therefore, after the bridge we turned right and drove uphill, along the road along the railway tracks. It was another climb, but we were preparing for it. Peter walks hard up the mountain, but doesn’t fall far behind.
We are entering Lugano. We are recruiting drinking water at the fountain, took a ride along the embankment and went to look for the Shopping Center to buy wires. I had to spend money in the store - I bought Hama wire (gold-plated). Damn, now I have a real Hama USB lanyard for 17 CHF. What's so unique about it? Are the bytes transmitted using a high-quality tube method? On weekdays in mall few people. I notice a man sitting in a chair who looks damn similar to Eric Clapton. There's also a guitar on a T-shirt. Either I'm very lucky to meet celebrities, or this is his very good double.
It's one o'clock in the afternoon, the heat is beginning. We bought some cold cokes and had a little lunch. We finished the fruit and gnawed on the nuts. At the same time, we turned down the wi-fi. Then we left Lugano and now our path leads to Belinzona.
After driving about ten kilometers through open terrain, the bike path turned into the forest. I took advantage of the moment and decided to take a nap in the shade for 20 minutes. In this heat, even water can’t help. The body is heated to the maximum and any infused liquid simply instantly evaporates through the skin. I try to sleep for 20-30 minutes in the hottest weather. We spread the cellophane from the bike and pass out for half an hour. Mountain bikers sometimes pass by.
Here I should explain that there are differences between bicycle signs. We haven’t realized this yet, but it seems like we’ve never gotten lost. The whole of Switzerland is criss-crossed by bike paths, mountain bike trails, roller skating tracks and hiking. So the roads for mountain bikes and road bikes sometimes diverge. And if you were driving along an ordinary road, and then you saw a sign with a jumping bike, then do not rush to turn where it points. Perhaps this will be a separate detour for owners of piston forks and wide tires.
Leaving the forest, we passed a gas station; there was even an opportunity to charge Tesla electric vehicles. And then the descent began. Yes, so steep and with turns that my hands hurt from frantically holding the steering wheel. The descent was along an ordinary road where cars and large trucks travel. It was scary to move out. While we were rushing down the mountain, a couple of cyclists rode towards us. One did not seem to be heavily loaded, and the second was slowly rolling uphill with front and rear bike bags. What do people take with them?
We drove into a valley between the mountains. So we completed the program, at least reaching Bellinzona. And the time is about 4 days. We did not enter the city itself, since the path leads separately through the fields. Sometimes the smells of greenery mixed with fried food from the surrounding area evoke associations with Asia. The rich colors of the fields here are exactly the same.
We drive through small towns. We can already see snow-capped peaks ahead, but they are far away. Treason arises inside - what if we have to climb these very mountains tomorrow. Sometimes, in order to capture a good shot, you have to choose a position so that power lines do not get into the lens.
Many waterfalls and streams flow down the mountain slopes. And often there is a small hydroelectric power station nearby.
In Byasco we stopped at the supermarket and bought soda, buns and apples. We drove through the fields and without any climbs to the town of Giornico. On the way we met a couple from Germany - my aunt and uncle were traveling from St. Gotthard. They were wearing jackets, so I asked them how cold it was at the pass. They replied: “It’s very cold, especially when you go down.” And then my aunt finished me off with the phrase that on our side the climb to the pass was much more difficult. Great! Now I will worry even more about getting up tomorrow and won’t sleep at night.
Later we met another bike traveler. A young guy from Vancouver, Canada. It's amazing, a guy from another continent flew in to ride around Europe. He also confirmed to us that it was on the Dubak pass. We wished each other good luck, although I forgot to talk to him about hockey.
It's already half past seven. The nearest campsite is 15 kilometers away. We cross the river, take photos, and a new ascent begins. There are few cars on the road anymore, the sun doesn’t reach here and the sky is getting darker. At the beginning of the ninth I decide to look for a place for a wild camp. We find an exit from the road that leads up the hill. We climb through the barrier, then through very thorny bushes and along the path we find ourselves on a clear plateau. We are surrounded by bushes and no one will disturb us. We set up a tent and have dinner with whatever is left. The place looks like it was planned for the construction of a house. There are even several concrete slabs above the foundation pit. But the owner changed his mind about living here and the site came in handy for tourists like us.
Those bushes through which we made our way were Zapodlyansky with long thorns. I had to check both bikes for punctures. I carried the bike on my shoulder, so my tires were clean. And Petka found one thorn in his wheel. I had to fish it out with my fingernails. The tire does not go flat, but if you continue to drive with such a spike, it will slowly sink deeper into the rubber until it does its vile deed. It took about ten minutes to get him out. Peter writes a text message home with the text that we are going to bed in an illegal place. He grabbed his hand in time. “Please think about what you write. Do you want your mother to stay up all night wondering what this illegal place is? Write to her that you set up a tent in the bushes by the road.” Me too, an illegal immigrant was found. We sent a message and went to bed.
Two tracks were completed in a day. Before I bought a charging cable in Lugano. And the way from Lugano. In total we drove 116 km.
Italy - popular tourist destination. Holidays on Garda, Como and Lago Maggiore are considered even more prestigious than on the sea coast. In this article we will talk about the last lake of the whole trinity. Few sightseeing tours to Italy from Russia provide their clients with the opportunity to see this blue pearl of the Alps with their own eyes. But in vain. After all, it is said: “If you have a heart and a shirt, sell the shirt and satisfy your soul - visit Lago Maggiore.” This is the second largest lake in Italy. Only Garda is larger in area. This lake is located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Actually, the state cordon runs exactly along the surface of the water. On the Swiss side there are resorts such as Locarno, where the country's best balneological hospitals are located, and ancient Ascona. Not far from the shores of Lake Maggiore is Lugano, nicknamed European Rio de Janeiro. But in this article we will not describe the resorts of Switzerland. Let's talk about the Italian part of Lake Maggiore. How to get there, where to stay and what to see - read below.
Geography
The name Lago Maggiore is translated from Italian as “Big Lake”. The name of the reservoir speaks for itself: it extends from north to south for as much as sixty-six kilometers. The lake was formed thanks to an ancient glacier that came down from the Alps and plowed out the basin, damming the reservoir with its moraine. This explains the narrowness of Maggiore, with its steep and steep banks. At its widest point, the lake spreads over ten kilometers. At the same time, the reservoir is very deep (the maximum is 375 meters) - after all, the glacial tongue was sliding along a tectonic fault. In Lake Maggiore the water is very clean due to constant circulation. This reservoir is located at an altitude of almost two hundred meters above sea level. The area of the lake is 212.5 square kilometers, which puts Maggiore in second place after Garda. The navigable river Ticino (a tributary of the Po) flows into and out of the reservoir. Lake Maggiore is divided into two on the world map European states. Switzerland, or more precisely, the canton of Ticino, owns only about twenty percent of the reservoir (in the north). But even in the Italian part, the border between the provinces runs along the lake. The eastern coast of Maggiore belongs to Lombardy, and the western coast belongs to Piedmont. Traditionally, a body of water is usually divided into two parts - upper and lower. The first begins near the borders of Switzerland, near the town of Cannobio and extends to Verbania. Lower Maggiore is the area lying south of the Belgirate - Castelletto sopra Ticino line in Piedmont.
Climate of the region
From the north, Lake Maggiore (Italy) is covered by the high Lombardy Alps. They shape the climate of the reservoir. It is soft, warm, but unpredictable. Of course, the Alpine peaks serve as a reliable barrier to the cold northern winds. But sometimes the icy air accumulated in high gorges breaks into the heated lake basin, causing storms. Then local residents they say that Maggiore blew ( North wind) or mergozzo (western). But these are emergency situations. And usually the lake is famous for its wonderful mild and warm climate. does not freeze in winter. The water level in the lake depends on the season and fluctuates within four meters. Maggiore reaches its maximum filling in June - at the time of feeding the Ticino and other, smaller rivers. The tourist season lasts from May to October. Although even during this period, vacationers are not immune from unexpected storms. The dominant winds are the Tramontana. It blows during the first half of daylight from the lake to the shores. After lunch, the tramontana is replaced by the inverna, which raises light ripples on the water surface until sunset.
How to get to the lake
Excursion tours to Italy provide vacationers from Russia with trips to the capital of Lombardy, Milan or main city Piedmont Turin. Getting to Lake Maggiore from these two points is not difficult. This route can be recommended to independent travelers. Regular flights from Alitalia and Aeroflot depart to Milan. From the capital of Lombardy buses go to the resorts of Lake Maggiore. There is also a railway line that ends in the coastal town of Verbagna. The path from the north will be more intricate. First you will need to get by plane to Lucerne, Basel or Zurich. There is also an airport in Lugano, but flights from Russia do not depart there. But from various Swiss cities you can get by train to Locarno or Bellinzona, located on the shores of Lake Maggiore, in just three hours. And from there you can cross the border with Italy by bus (fast and cheap) or by comfortable cruise ship(glamorous and chic). The main port in the southern part of the lake is Verbanya. All resorts along the banks are connected by a network of beautiful highways. Man has long drilled tunnels along the steep shores of the lake. So traveling on a regular regular bus from one point to another can already be considered an exciting excursion.
The amazing history of Lake Maggiore
The mild climate and the abundance of fish in the waters mean that these places have been inhabited for a very long time. It is unknown what these Celtic tribes called the lake. But when the legionnaires came here Ancient Rome, they were impressed by the size of the reservoir. That's why they named it Lacus Maximus. Translated from Latin this means Greatest Lake. The Romans surrounded the reservoir with a beautiful road, which has survived in fragments to this day. In the Middle Ages, the name of the lake changed. Since the banks of the reservoir were densely overgrown with fragrant verbena, they began to call it Verbano. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Napoleon's troops made a brilliant crossing of the Alps. The French fortified and equipped old road, making it convenient for carriages. The mild climate of the lake began to attract the Italian aristocracy to its shores. The rich built luxurious villas and palaces. The modest name of Lake Verbano did not reflect the grandeur of their home. Therefore, the old Roman name of the reservoir came to mind. It was changed into modern Italian and began to sound like Lago Maggiore. Now resorts have sprung up on the shores of the lake, which were started by local aristocrats. But much more ancient feudal castles rise on the rocky ledges. In inaccessible places, monasteries cling to steep banks. And on the islands there are luxurious palaces of nobles and representatives of the papal curia.
What kind of hotels are there in the resorts of Lago Maggiore
Where to stop on this giving unforgettable vacation, lake? Maggiore is dotted with resorts, each of which is unique. Whether you come to the Lombardy side or the Piedmontese coast, it will be good everywhere. Hotel base the lake is well developed. But there is one thing. Hotels in Italy cannot be called budget. And on Lake Maggiore, where holidays are considered prestigious, prices soar - especially during the tourist season. But what a variety of hotels! You can even live on the Borromean Islands. True, such a pleasure will cost twenty-three thousand rubles per night. A lot of hotels are located in two resort towns - Verbanya and Stresa. For discerning clients, we can recommend the five-star hotel “Villa e Palazzo Aminta” or “Grand Majestic”. An excellent choice of accommodation is provided by the local “fours”: “Belvedere”, “Ancora” and others. Their prices range from five to seven thousand rubles. Don't be afraid to stay in "threes". The Albergo Pesce d'Oro, Acquadolce and Il Chiostro hotels in Verbagna are an excellent balance between price and quality of service. The cost of a room in such hotels is about three thousand rubles. There are campsites available during the summer months. Not only clients with a car can stay there. Campgrounds rent out mobile caravans.
Sights of Lake Maggiore
Holidays on this large alpine body of water are notable not only for their natural beauty. In terms of richness of historical and cultural attractions, Lago Maggiore is not much inferior to Milan, Turin or Verona. The lake is a wonderful symbiosis of lush southern nature and human genius. Palaces and villas fit beautifully into the landscape. An excursion to Lake Maggiore would be incomplete without visiting the islands. Particularly popular are the Borromeo archipelago with Isolo Bella (where the Cardinal's Palace is located), Pescatori, Madre, San Giovanni and tiny Scoglio della Malghera. But the islands will be discussed below. It should also be mentioned that the shores of the lake also have no shortage of palaces, villas and wonderful botanical gardens. Beach holiday against the backdrop of these miracles fades into the background. And nature, which endowed Maggiore with rocky picturesque shores, did not create conditions for it. Beaches are mainly artificial terraces over the surface of the water. But excellent conditions have been created for hiking and cycling. On a small tourist boat, yacht or boat you can take an exciting trip around Lake Maggiore.
Resorts on the western coast of the mountain reservoir
Each one is interesting in its own way. In Piedmont, the most popular ones are Stresa and Verbania. The latter - due to the fact that it is well developed transport node. Verbania has already become like Sochi - it included small towns. Stresa is interesting because it has easy access to the Borromean Islands. In addition, cable car cabins start from here, taking tourists to the top of Mount Mottarone, from where a charming view of the lake opens. Arona is very interesting. Here in 1538 San Carlun, a representative of the noble Borromeo family, was born. The ancestral nest, the Rocca Arona fortress, no longer exists - it was destroyed by Napoleon's troops. But you can admire the “Colossus of San Carlone” - a thirty-five-meter sculpture of this cleric. Also very interesting are the resorts of Cannobio, Ogebbio, Cannero Riviera, Ghiffa, Baveno, Belgirate, Meina, Lesa, Castelletto sopra Ticino and Dormelletto. Special mention should be made of Stresa. Here are the most famous villas on Lake Maggiore. You should definitely see the Pallavicino Palace with its beautiful park. Villas Ducale and Castelli are also worth a visit. Cannobio is a very ancient town that preserves traces of the Romans. Above Giffa, not far from Verbania, rises the Mount of the Holy Trinity. It houses a complex of chapels included in the UNESCO list.
Resort gems of Lombardy
Even if you live on the western shore, there is nothing stopping you from crossing the narrow Lake Maggiore to admire the wonderful sights of the eastern region. Angera is located directly opposite Stresa. She is famous for her medieval castle, which alternately changed brilliant owners - Scalligeri, Visconti, Borromeo. Angera should be visited with children, because inside the ancient citadel there is a wonderful one. It was founded at the end of the 20th century by Princess Bona Borromeo-Arrese. Lake Maggiore on the Lombardy side is decorated with such equally interesting resorts as Ranco, Sesto Calende, Ispra, Besozzo, Brebbia, Monvalle, Laveno-Mombello, Legiuno, Castelveccana, Brezzo di Bedero, Porto Valtravaglia, Germiñaga, Maccagno, Luino, Tronzano Lago Maggiore and Pino sulla Sponda. A real tourist attraction on the eastern shore is the monastery of Santa Catarina del Sasso. It was literally carved out of a precipitous cliff at the beginning of the fourteenth century. The monastery seems impregnable, but you can get into it not only from the water, but also from the land. Lovers of nature untouched by civilization can be advised to visit national park Ticino. It is shared between Lombardy and Piedmont. The park stretches along both banks of the Ticino River.
Islands of Lake Maggiore
Of course, the main attraction of the Alpine reservoir is the Borromean archipelago. It consists of three small and two very tiny islands. Almost the entire territory of Isola Bella is occupied by the Borromeo Palace. The island is separated from the town of Stresa by only four hundred meters of water. The palace itself was built in the Lombard Baroque style in 1632 by Charles III Borromeo for his wife Isabella. Beautiful park, consisting of Italian and English parts, was defeated later. Napoleon and Josephine, the English Queen Caroline of Brunswick and other famous persons visited the castle. The name “Isola Pescatori” suggests that this island has been inhabited by fishermen since ancient times. It is worth visiting this town and wandering through its narrow streets. Several hotels perched on this tiny piece of land three hundred meters long and one hundred wide. Albergo Verbano has only twelve rooms, so reservations must be made in advance. Isola Madre is privately owned. You can only admire it from afar. Lake Maggiore is famous not only for the Borromean archipelago. Off the coast of Connobio rise the three islets of Castelli di Cannero. Ancient castles once stood on them - hence the name. The Lombardy region, unlike Piedmont, has only one island on Lake Maggiore. This is Isolino Partegora. But it has an excellent sandy beach.
What to try in this region
Lake Maggiore has long been famous for its fish. Therefore, the local region has developed its own cuisine, different from Lombard and Piedmontese, where the main ingredients are meat and cheeses. So everywhere on Lago Maggiore you should try lake fish dishes. Naturally, in the summer heat it’s a good idea to cool down with wonderful Italian ice cream. There is no shortage of traditional pizzerias and spaghettieries here. But there are places on the lake that serve specialties that can only be tasted here and nowhere else. Gourmets should visit Stresa not only for the Villas Pallavicino and Ducale, the Borromean Islands or the Mottarone peak. Only in this town do they make the most delicious crumbly Margheritine cookies. The recipe for this dessert was invented by a chef from Stresa at the end of the nineteenth century especially for the Princess of Savoy. Margaret later became Queen of Italy.
Panorama del Lago Maggiore da Poggio Sant"Elsa sopra Laveno-Mombello (VA)
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps on the border of Italy and Switzerland attracts with its original villages and picturesque islands.
Lago Maggiore(Italian big lake) - a lake on the border of Switzerland and Italy. The Swiss part of the lake is located in the canton of Ticino, the Italian part in Piedmont and Lombardy. The waterline of Lago Maggiore is the lowest point in Switzerland.
Lake Maggiore- the second largest in Italy after Lake Garda - is a huge body of water at the foot of mountain ranges, extending to the Swiss Alps. The length of the lake is 65 km, maximum width is 4.5 km. On its banks grow camellias, azaleas and verbena, from which ancient lake and received its Roman name -
Verbanus. The main attractions of Lake Maggiore: the four Borromeo islands - Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre and Isola San Giovanni. The patron saint of this area is Cardinal Carlo Borromeo. Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore - pearls natural beauty, enriched with the creations of architects and gardeners. On the island of Isola Bella there is the 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo with a delightful park, decorative terraces, fountains, peacocks, statues and grottoes.
“If you have a heart and a shirt, sell the shirt and visit the area around Lago Maggiore,” the great classic Stendhal advised.
The island of Isola Bella is particularly popular. Almost its entire territory is occupied by a Baroque palace and an adjacent garden with exotic plants.
The city of Locarno is located on the northern shore of Lake Lago Maggiore.
The city is famous for its annual film festival.
The main attraction of the Swiss city is the monastery of Madonna del Sasso, located in an incredibly picturesque place!
How to get there: Alitalia operates direct flights from Moscow to Milan. Cost - 460 euros (round trip). Then by train to Stresa - from 6 euros. Well, or you can get there as a savage :)
