Stresa is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. You can take leisurely strolls on the lakefront. Most of the town’s activities are in this region and on the road leading to the town center. The lakeside promenade is where most writers came for inspiration. While you’re here be sure to visit Iles des Borromees, where Hemingway set A Farewell to Arms. You can also take a boat ride from here to the island of Borromean.

There islands make up the Borromean Islands, named after the Borromeo family, who have owned them since the 12th century. It misty waters and stunning beauty have attracted visitors to lake Maggiore. Two islands, Isola Bella and Isola Superiore, have little villages where you can explore them for free, while the third island, Isola Madre, has only a garden and you have to pay an admission fee to enter.

Ferries ply between Stresa and the three islands every half hour. An all day pass costs only 8€. (Note: You get 1€ off for each island highlight ticket if you buy them at the ferry office along with your ferry tickets). Alternately you can also take a private boat to the islands but this will work out very expensive. For more information logon to http://www.borromeoturismo.it/.

A five-minute boat ride from Stresa is Isola Bella. True to its name, this island has beautiful 17th century gardens with planted terraces. The Borromeo palazzo definitely warrants a visit. Be sure to see the room used by Napoléon and Josephine. It is open seven days a week between March and September. The working times are from 9am to noon and 1:30 to 5:30pm. An admission fee of 8.50€ is charged for adults while children 6 to 15 pay 4€. Audio tours for 3.50€ each (or 5€ to rent two sets of headphones) will definitely help in understanding all facets of the palace.

Isola Superiore is 5 minutes by boat from Isola Bella. Most of the island is also called Isola Pescatori, which is an old fishing village. This is now a commercial island with hoards of souvenir shops and pizzerias.

Half an hour from Stresa is Isola Superiore is Isola Madre. It is the largest of the three islands and is also extremely beautiful. Orto Botanico is a must see as it has all kinds of interested flora and fauna. There are no guided tours. You’ll get a map with you ticket to help to get around. It is everyday between the end of March and October. The ticket costs 8€ for adults and 4€ for children between 6 and 15.

All of Stresa’s activities can be completed in a day. After visiting the Borromean Islands get down at Mottarone. You can ride the cable car to go up the mountain. If you don’t want to take the cable car you can take a 20-min walk back to Stresa on the beautiful lakefront.

You can stay longer in Stresa if you a hiking/biking enthusiast, the tree covered slopes of the mountains are the best place of these activities. There a number of trails take the funivia to Monte Mottarone. The ride will cost you 9.20€ one-way to take the funivia along with a bike. Bike rentals cost 21€ for a half day and 26€ for a full day. For hiking information, ask for the booklet Percorsi Verdi.