Le Chic En Rose

There are a number of cruise options on Lake Maggiore, both from the Swiss side and from the Italian southern end. Either way you can sail round the lake to your heart’s content stopping at pretty little towns, villages and islands along the way (just remember to take your passport, especially if you intend crossing the Swiss/Italian border). Navigazione Laghi operates cruises on several Italian lakes including Maggiore and full details and seasonal timetables can be found here. We opted to take a trip from Locarno out to the Isole di Brissago – about 30 minutes cruising time via the adjacent town of Ascona.

On the boat leaving Locarno

View back to Locarno

Locarno From The Water

Heading out on Lake Maggiore

Approaching Ascona

Ascona Switzerland

Ascona Quayside Switzerland

Quay at Ascona

Quay at Isole di Brissago

With the favourable climatic conditions on the southern side of the Alps, the Lake Maggiore region is home to some wonderful gardens with beautiful displays of colourful plants and flowers. There are a couple of Brissago Islands – we visited Isola Grande (the large island), which is home to one of the most magical gardens we had ever visited, the Ticino Botanical Park or the Botanical Gardens Of The Islands Of Brissago (I’ve seen it referred to both ways). The “Ticino Top Ten” web page describes the islands on the information page as a “small subtropical paradise on Lake Maggiore” and it would be hard to disagree! Once you set foot on the island you’re spoilt for choice – we wandered round at a leisurely pace admiring the natural beauty. The beautiful plants and flowers come from all around the world including our home region of Oceania! There is a charge of 8 Swiss francs per person to go round the island but with a Swiss Rail Pass, which we had, you get a 20% discount as well as free rides on the boats at the Swiss end of the lake.

Swan on Isole di Brissago

We went to Isole di Brissago in late April

Beautiful blooms

The waters of Lake Maggiore gently lapped at the shore

Once you’ve arrived you can wander about at your leisure

You will soon notice the grand form of a Palazzo style house – this magnificent residence is a clue to the history of the island.

Palazzo Isole di Brissago

Originally the island had been the site of a convent, which had fallen into disrepair. In 1885 a Russian Baroness, Antoinette St Leger and her husband Lord Richard Fleming, purchased the Brissago islands and set about cultivating a beautiful garden for their personal enjoyment. They restored the convent to use as a house, enriched the soil, built meandering pathways and planted an array of exotic trees, plants and shrubs. However by 1927 the Baroness had lost all her wealth (her husband had left some years previously) and so she was obliged to sell the islands. They were purchased by a wealthy entrepreneur, Max Emden, who was born in Hamburg and later relocated to Ticino. He had the Palazzo style house you see today constructed.

On the balcony of the house

View from the house

There was a considerable amount of information on Emden around the house – both in writing and photos. The impression we formed was that he had had some sort of mid life epiphany and decided to devote himself to a life of pleasure and art appreciation on his island hideaway. Suffice to say the ghosts of the nuns must have been turning in their graves. There were wild rumours of hedonistic parties around the house, gardens and neo classical pools that Emden had constructed. If you want to discover more and can read German I did find his biography for sale here. Whatever the truth, Emden passed away in 1940 and eventually in 1949 a public foundation with several members, including the Canton of Ticino, was able to purchase the islands. From then on the island, house and gardens have been held by the trust for the benefit of the wider public, both locals and the numerous tourists who visit the island and botanical gardens each year.

Nude classical statue round the pool Isole di Brissago

Pathway leading down to the lake shore

View out to Lake Maggiore from the pool area

I am not a botanical expert but one doesn’t have to be – there is a wealth of information about the horticultural displays.

Information board on Isole di Brissago plants

We did notice a far greater number of visitors than had been the case in Locarno. We were visiting towards the end of April so not high season but Isole di Brissago, not surprisingly, is a very popular destination from both the Swiss and Italian ends of Lake Maggiore. We didn’t feel crowded except in the house where the cafe/restaurant was packed. Consequently we took ourselves back to the mainland and Ascona for lunch. I would guess it might be a different story in July or August but we felt very peaceful and relaxed wandering round the island savouring the beautiful experience.

Down by the shore of Lake Maggiore on Isole di Brissago

The beauty of the island and lake

Relaxing by the side of Lake Maggiore

Peace and tranquility Isole di Brissago

Monsieur Le Chic on one of the many island pathways

The Gardens Of Switzerland initiative has some interesting information about gardens open to the public in all the Swiss Cantons including the Isole di Brissago and you can follow the various links on their web page here.

Botanical Gardens Isole di Brissago

Greenhouse in the botanical gardens. We have a bird of paradise in our garden back home in Perth too!

Botanical gardens Isole di Brissago

Next week we’ll head off to the pretty lakeside town of Ascona for lunch. Ciao for now!

Copyright © 2015 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved