Piemonte Italia

Lago Maggiore

A crown of mountains embraces Lago Maggiore: the scenario is dominated by the Alps and the Monte Rosa massif. If the tourist should leave the lake’s shore, it is well worth the while to visit the many towns located in the hills and mountains. Aside from breathtaking views, they also offer a precious heritage of folklore and ancient tradition.
Tours and excursions that can be taken are always fascinating: discovering the valleys facing Lago Maggiore such as Val Formazza with its Toce waterfall; Val Vigezzo, nicknamed “Valley of the Painters”; Valle Anzasca whose high point is the Walser village of Macugnana and the Valle Antrona dotted with charming alpine lakes. Among these treasures of nature, there is the Val Grande National Park in the upper Lago Maggiore area, one of the most extensive natural areas of central Europe.
Along the lake, made famous for the presence of the Borromean Islands, located in the gulf of the same name in front of Stresa there are many points of interest: luxurious villas and splendid gardens built in the 19th and 20th centuries along the Piemonte shore. Stresa and Verbania deserve to be toured. The Borromeo gardens, Villa Taranto and Villa San Remigio can be admired there.
Nearby Lago d’Orta makes this tourist area even more charming. This body of water hosts the enchanting Island of San Giulio. From Omega, reference point for the entire Cusio area, we climb through Val Strona, renowned for wood works among which Pinocchio from Collodi and the production of brass musical instruments.
One last glance goes towards the hills of the province of Novara, where fine food and wine itineraries await gourmands. Let’s not forget the true symbol of Lago Maggiore: the perch. Delicious filets or magnificent risotti exalting its flavour are served in the many restaurants of the lake area. Fish lovers can sample bleak, trout, arctic char, tench, carp, pike and whitefish. These fish can be served breaded, fried, stewed, marinated, proposed with traditional as well as new recipes.
The Lago di Viverone is located in another area of Piemonte between Biella, Vercelli and Ivrea in the moraine hills of the Serra. The south shore of the lake hosts ducks, mallards, coots, grebes and gulls that live in the woods and reed groves. The north shore is filled with hotels, campsites, restaurants, beaches and wine cellars where the famous white Erbaluce wine is made.
Among the lakes that fill the regional territory there is also the Lago di Avigliana, located in the Natural Park of the same name found at the outlet of the Susa valley at the foot of Monte Pirchiarano. The mountaintop is the location of the Sacra di San Michele monastery in a characteristic area of the moraine amphitheatre at Rivoli-Avigliana, only a few kilometers from Torino.