Isola Madre

So, unless you want to just sit and sun and commune with the waterfowl, the thing to do at Lake Maggiore is to tour the Borromeo islands, those owned and developed by the Borromeo family (Milan) over the centuries. Isola Madre is known as a botanical garden with mother-in-law palace. Isola Pescadori is where the little people live. Isola Bella is the grand palace. We did all three. In one swell foop, consisting of 4 voyages.

Independent travelers get from mainland to island and island and mainland via
water buses like this

The big mountains peek through just barely, despite their having been visible
throughout most of the drive from Milan; and even in Milan they're pretty
spectacular

Thus (somebody else's picture)

Approaching Isla Madre

Welcome to Isla Madre, or maybe Kuckenhof...tulips all over...

This and the next to demonstrate that pretty much anything grows here

Some haka music, please

Other shore of the lake

More tulips

And then an island-wide profusion of azaleas, rhododendrons, etc.; are we in
Kent?!

And a profusion of peacocks, including the Chinese white

Ancient willow, felled by a tornado (!) in 2001, righted and
saved and now thriving

Rain gutter wisteria

The palace contains the usual 19th century rich people stuff,
including the legitimizing family tree portrait

But, more interestingly, also a huge collection of marionettes, theaters, and
puppet paraphrenalia

Obviously, the Borromeos can afford the nicest Murano

Top of a descending wisteria arch

Quite a show

And a final burst of color