Isola Superiore (Isola dei Pescatori)

Lake Maggiore's "Biggest Island" (more poetically called Isola dei Pescatori, or "The Isle of the Fishermen"), is the lived-in island, with a pair of hotels and some restaurants and souvenir shops

The Borromei pretty much left Isola Superiore—frequently referred to as "The Island of the Fishermen"—alone when they were converting its neighbors Isola Bella and Isola Madre into sumptuous garden-palace combos.

There is a large palace (generally not open to the public), but otherwise they've allowed the fishing hamlet crowded onto one tip of the island to develop its natural quaintness into a major tourist draw.

The Hotel Verbano
and one of its rooms. Best of all, you can use it as an alternative to staying in Stresa, since it now boasts two hotels: The Hotel Belvedere [€€–€€€] and, my favorite, the Hotel Verbano [€€€], a red-stuccoed building sitting at the very tip of the island, the gravel triangle below like a ship's prow set with tables for excellent al fresco meals with views over the lake.

Even if you don't stay here, try to time your islands itinerary so you can have lunch here.

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