It is supposed to rain but it’s holding back. I wait on the ferry dock in Stresa for the boat to the Borromean islands.
First is Isola Bella, with a palace and gardens built by Vitaliano Borromeo the 6th in the 1600s. The Borromeo family still owns the island and members sometimes stay in the palace. Their presence is known by a flag flying the family’s colors.
After months of avoiding tourist traffic, I want to visit this palace, even if it means that I’m in with the in crowd.
Walls surrounding the magnificent staircase are decorated with the coat of arms of prominent Italian aristocratic families of the 1600s. None of the palace has been modernized. It’s all as elaborate and over-the-top as it was in its early days.
Paintings hang in several rooms of the palace. This one brings to mind my aching feet at the end of a long day.
One of the many rooms devoted to paintings. The frames are all original although many of the paintings are copies of master works, commonly collected by aristocrats at that time.
This little girl can’t keep her hands off this large statue/pedestal that holds up an enormous chest.
Other large bodies hang from the upper walls.
The Borromeo who bought the island and built the palace.
This massive three-story room was planned but not finished until after World War II.
The lower floor of the palace is done grotto-style with rocks and stones arranged in elaborate designs.
The Borromeo family entertained themselves with marionette shows. I am very impressed with the collection of marionettes in finely detailed costumes.
This room contains horse trappings which the Borromeo family members use in their parades.
A breathtaking room of finely woven Belgian tapestries.
Exotic birds roam outside in the gardens.
This elaborate construction must be interesting to see up close, but given the heat and the number of stairs, I decide to admire it from afar.
The gardeners are kept busy pruning the plants on Isola Bella. The garden is immaculately maintained.
Next I hop on the ferry to visit the Isola dei Pescatori, the fishermen’s island. Very little remains of the fishing village. Now tourism drives the economy, but I was taken by the colorful nylon fishing nets hanging by this door.
After lunch, I head to Isola Madre, another island owned by the Borromeos. Aren’t they lucky? Seeing the stairs involved in reaching the palace (yes, another palace!) and feeling the hot sun on my back, I decide instead to sit on terrace with a view to the lake.
Private boats also take passengers from island to island. These folks sweat in the hot sun waiting for their boat to arrive (as I sit in the shade on the terrace).
I have been blessed with sunny weather these last few days despite the predictions for rain.
My day on the lake has been a fitting end for a very long journey. Tomorrow I am off to Malpensa Airport and HOME!!!