Lake Maggiore or Verbano as it was known, is a glacial pre-alpine lake, and the 2° largest in Italy.
It is without doubt one of the most frequented Italian tourist destinations. Over the ages, world renown writers and poets such as Dickens, Stendhal, Hemingway and Flaubert have all drawn inspiration from its sparkling waters.
The entire area can be likened to a treasure trove, just waiting to be discovered; palaces, botanical gardens, stately homes and secular parks, the magnificent Borromeo Islands as well as all the other delightful corners dotted around the Lake.
The waters reflect the vibrant colours of the surrounding hills, picking out well known tourist destinations such as Macugnaga in the Valle Anzasca, centre also of the ancient Walser culture; the Val Vigezzo, also known as the Painters’ Valley, the Toce Waterfall, perhaps one of Europe’s most spectacular cascades, the Val Grande National Park as well as Mottarone, a mere 20 minutes’ drive from the Hotel and a pleasant skiing domain in winter and a futuristic water Adventure Park in summer.
This perennial dualism between Lake and Mountain is amply reflected in its gastronomical delights. Here the traveller will find typical freshwater dishes of local fish served with genuine mountain produce, including fresh cheeses produced amongst the high mountain pastures as well as salamis, game in season, mushrooms and honey from the hills and woodlands. All these specialities combine well with the excellent DOC or DOCG wines of the Piemontese Hills.
The area is also well known for a variety of world famous companies, ranging from bathroom fittings to cashmere and some of the finest lengths of wool suiting, all strictly “Made in Italy”