The Borromean islandsconsist of three small islands and a couple of islets, visible from Stresa andwill delight garden lovers. The most noteworthy is the Isola Bella, named afterthe wife of the 17th century Count Carlo III Borromeo, Isabella. Hedetermined to build her the most sumptuous villa imaginable and imported tonsof soil to what was no more than a barren rock. The result was an amazingbaroque villa with fountains and statues, ten terraces of orange and lemongroves, camellias, box trees, laurels and cypresses. Inside, the opulent villaboasts splendid furniture and still more grottoes and there is even acollection of 18th century marionettes in the cellar. The IsolaMadre is the largest of the islands and has a small, tasteful villa, noted forits English-style gardens. Finally to the Isola dei Pescatori, which is theonly inhabited island of the archipelago, with its small fishing village.
