Located in the Borromean Gulf, between Stresa and Pallanza on Lake Maggiore, the lovely Borromean Islands make for a perfect weekend break, or even a longer vacation by the lake. Beloved by Ernest Hemingway and a favorite destination of the British royalty, the archipelago of the Borromean Islands consists of three islands, Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori, an islet, Isolino di San Giovanni, and a rock, Scoglio della Malghera. 

In the 14th century, the Borromeo, powerful feudal lords of the area originally from Florence, acquired the islands and began their transformation. Today, the family still owns Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Isola Madre is the largest of the three. Here is where you can find the royal Palazzo Borromeo, the noble residence of the Borromeo family, where you can admire period furnishings, portraits, porcelain, the spectacular Venetian Hall with trompe l'oeil decorations and the original ‘theater puppets.’