Surrounded by the green forested foothills of Northern Italy’s Alps, Lake Maggiore has long drawn travelers in search of beauty, elegance, and a slower pace of life. Grand villas with lush gardens and quiet villages with cobblestone streets ring the lake, but it’s out on the lake itself—among the Borromean Islands—where the region’s story truly comes to life.
On our Northern Italy tour, we spend a day exploring two of these islands, each offering a distinct perspective on life along Lake Maggiore. And as with so many of our experiences, it’s the small-group setting—just 12 to 24 guests—that makes this outing one to remember long after returning home.
Our hotel’s pool deck, with Isola Bella in the distance
Odysseys guests embarking their boat to Palazzo Borromeo, with Isola Bella visible in the background
We can see our first destination from the pool deck at our lakeside hotel. Isola Bella sits only a few hundred meters offshore, and we begin by embarking a boat for the short ride to the island, during which we get a waterborne perspective on the lakeside towns, green hills, and mountains surrounding this placid waterway.
We disembark on this most iconic of the Borromean Islands, whose name literally translates as “beautiful island,” and whose grounds are entirely occupied by the 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and its terraced gardens.
The island was no more than a rocky outpost until 1632, when Carlo III of the wealthy House of Borromeo began construction on a palace dedicated to his wife, Isabella d’Adda. While its beauty is unmatched, the island now truly takes its title from Isabella’s nickname: Bella. The palace and its Italianate gardens were completed under the care of Carlo’s sons in 1671, and Isola Bella spent several centuries as a playground and meeting point for the upper crust of European society. Guests to have enjoyed their time at Palazzo Borromeo include Edward Gibbon, Napoleon and his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais, and Caroline of Brunswick, the Princess of Wales.
Today, the palace retains all of its former opulence. Rising in layers above the water, it’s hard to discern where the natural stone stops and the artistic Renaissance architecture begins.
Inside the palazzo, that sense of artistry continues. During our guided small group tour of the palazzo, we encounter room after room of priceless works—tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and ornate furnishings—each offering a glimpse into centuries of wealth, power, and cultural influence. We have time to linger in the grand halls, to notice the finer details, and to engage more directly with the palazzo’s local guide who brings these spaces to life.
Our local guide illuminating the treasures on display at Palazzo Borromeo
Beyond the palazzo walls, the gardens unfold in a series of elaborate terraces down to the lake shore. Flowerbeds burst with color, statues stand in quiet symmetry, and white peacocks roam the grounds. And the views from the upper levels of the palace confirm that Carlo III had it right when he chose this spot to commemorate his love for his wife – it truly is an island most beautiful.
The terraced gardens of Palazzo Borromeo
From Isola Bella, we continue to nearby Isola dei Pescatori, a sharp but welcome contrast to the grandeur we’ve just experienced. No centuries-old palazzos here, only narrow lanes, modest homes, and a working fishing village. This is the only inhabited island in this small archipelago, and it offers a more intimate look at daily life on the lake.
The entrance to the harbor at Isla dei Pescatori, where a statue of Madonna is said to bring good luck to fishermen and sailors
Evidence of Isola dei Pescatori’s status as a working fishing port
It’s here that we gather for lunch at a local restaurant, another highlight of the day. Fresh, regional dishes—often featuring fish pulled straight from the lake—are paired with local wines and served in a relaxed, welcoming setting. As with many of our small group experiences, this meal is about more than just the food. It’s a chance to slow down and connect with fellow travelers in one of Europe’s most alluring settings.
Throughout the day, the benefits of traveling in a small group reveal themselves again and again. There’s a greater ease to every transition, from traveling by boat to entering the palazzo. There’s more opportunity for meaningful interaction—with guides, with hosts, and with the places themselves. And there’s a shared sense of discovery that’s harder to find in larger groups.
Lake Maggiore’s islands have captivated visitors for centuries, offering a blend of natural beauty and human creativity that feels uniquely Italian. From the grandeur of Isola Bella to the quiet charm of Isola dei Pescatori, this excursion captures both sides of that story.
If Isola Bella and Lake Maggiore are on your wish list, explore the full itinerary, view departures, and reserve your spot today: Northern Italy.
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