The botanical garden on Island Bella in the Gulf Borromeo
This island is close to Stresa and it attracts thousands of visitors in every season. It was already famous in the 17th century, when its Italian garden was inaugurated. It is one of the oldest gardens in Italy and one of the most charming ones on Lake Maggiore. On Island Bella grow subtropical plants like camellias, magnolias, kalmia, huge shrubs of azaleas, yew and box trees trimmed in geometrical form and the prestigious collection of Coleus. From the top of the terraced gardens, rich in obelisks and statues, there are superb views of the Gulf Borromeo and Stresa.