April 16, 2024 – 🎼 A Three Isle Tour … 🎶

Tuesday, April 16:  The sun was out to greet us as we lined up at the ferry terminus for tickets to the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore.  The three small islands lie just off the lakeshore between Stresa, Bavena, and Pallanza and have been owned by the Borromeo family since the 1600s.  Our first stop was Isola Bella, home of the Borromeo Palace.  Next it was on to Isola die Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island).  The glassy lake was now a bit choppy and a stiff breeze sent us inside for the ride.  This island measures only 100 x 350 meters and is a warren of narrow streets laden with restaurants and bars, each proclaiming to serve the freshest fish on the lake.  Alas, it was only 10:00 a.m. and lunch was not an option.  When we set sail for Isola Madre, the lake was decidedly rough but the expert crew landed us safely at the dock below the entrance to Palazzo Borromeo and its botanical garden.  We stopped at a sheltered restaurant to get out of the wind at 11:30 and inquired if we could get some lunch.  The waiter, whose impeccable English was only surpassed by his manners and patience, explained to us that lunch in Italy does not begin until after 12:00.  He did, however, bring us coffees and a basket of fresh bread.  Our ride back to Stresa was becoming a nautical adventure, as the lake was now heaving and each stop slammed the ferry into the dock with alarming force.  Finally, the boat reached Stresa — our place to disembark.  After several failed attempts to moor the boat, the gangplank was spanned at last and the door opened.  Just as we began to exit our seating area, a rogue wave slammed the ferry, dislodging the plank and spurring the crew to shepherd the passengers quickly back inside the boat.  A German couple ahead of us changed their minds about disembarking and decided to go back to the islands for another look.  A second attempt by the crew to place the gangplank provided enough time for Jim to scamper off, and on a third attempt Laurel escaped. Back on dry land, we wobbled to our apartment humming the theme to Gilligan’s Island, oblivious to the fate of the Professor, Mary-Anne and the other passengers.

Here comes the ferry!  The water is nice and calm.

First stop — Isola Bella.

Travelling from Isola Bella to Isola die Pescatori.

Isola die Pescatori (Fishermen's Island).

The church on Fishermen’s Island.

Fishing nets adorn the hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars that now fill the island.

Views from Fishermen’s Island.

Isola Madre, the third island on our tour. 

Laurel rushed off the boat!  The other passengers were not yet allowed to run off.  (See the whitecaps on the lake.)