Villa e Palazzo Aminta Stresa

Like a precious gem, mounted in the diadem of the shores of Lake Maggiore, Villa & Palazzo Aminta await you. The Luxury Resort, where you can rejuvenate body and mind, experiencing sensational emotions in one of the world’s most elegant and exclusive settings.

You can walk amidst the intense fragrances of our lush gardens or venture through the mountains and lakes on exciting hikes. In the evening, a romantic candlelit dinner awaits you at the delightful I Mori Restaurant, or you can relax in the welcoming SPA, taking advantage of the wide range of unmissable emotions that you will have at your disposal.

Beatrice, Roberto and Daniela Zanetta give their warm welcome to You to Villa & Palazzo Aminta. Overlooking the enchanting Gulf of the Borromean Islands in Stresa, Villa & Palazzo Aminta is a precious gem of the international chain The Leading Hotels of the World, lovingly guarded by the lush vegetation and crystal clear water of Lake Maggiore.

The affectionate atmosphere of the private house, the warmth of the family and the thoughtful care and attention distinguish the new and exclusive spaces in the hotel, where the passing of time has stratified the styles and traditions of Italian art.

Like a beating heart, the evocative Italian Patio spreads care and passion into the new rooms that embrace it, creating sensations of elegance throughout a balanced and harmonious environment.

The floors are Venetian terrazzo style, the columns are made of shining marble, the standards and the precious fabrics on the walls wrap the rooms in a soft light, creating a charming play of iridescent reflections. Direct access from the external entrance to the Halls makes these spaces ideal for hosting big events and car presentations with great style.

The concept of luxury is reinvented and renewed at Villa & Palazzo Aminta, where the refinement of the most classic styles blends with a modern and attentive mentality, creating an intimate dimension in which you can let yourself be pampered while surrounded by the most exquisite and sensual materials.

THE HISTORY
Villa and Palazzo Aminta is not only an elegant gem set in the green mountains of northern Italy, but a jewellery box full of memories ready to unfold with the slightest touch. Initially built as the personal residence of the Admiral of the Royal Navy Francesco Capece, the hotel still bears the name of his dear, beloved wife Aminta.

In 1918, the Admiral, in love with the gentle contours of the landscape of the lake, decided to lay the foundations for his refined home on these green slopes. In the decades that passed, numerous representatives of the Belle Epoque walked through the halls of what was then Admiral Capece’s residence.

In 1926, Paolo Troubetzkoy, a great artist with Russian origins, born in the nearby Intra, made a sculpture to his friend, the Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, who visited Lake Maggiore as a guest of the Admiral and his wife, and was captivated by the incredibly beautiful landscape.

In more recent years, in 1966, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton chose Villa Aminta for one of their countless romantic getaways. Still today, Villa & Palazzo Aminta maintains this innate family spirit that seems to be embodied in every stone used to build it.

While walking slowly through its lavish rooms and its rich corridors you can clearly perceive its warm and reassuring soul. The Villa has been extended and embellished with antique furniture, stuccoes, chandeliers, precious tapestries, arabesques and oriental-style volutes, paying tribute to the historical relationship with the Republic of Venice “Gateway to the East”.

The Zanetta family has skilfully restored the building to its original splendour, recreating a fairy-tale charm and carrying out an accurate renovation where elegance and classical character blend with the most modern and advanced technological standards, generating a union of simplicity and freshness in every one of the Hotel’s rooms.

It is a luxury hotel, surrounded by flowering azaleas and delicate fragrances, the concept of which, in typical Italian style, reflects Beatrice and Roberto Zanetta’s refined sensitivity with regard to art and a taste for refinement.

ROOMS & SUITES
Allow yourself to enjoy moments of incomparable relaxation and intimate reflection by choosing the perfect, most restful setting that best suits your desires, from the wide range of rooms and offers available at Villa & Palazzo Aminta.

Wake up every morning to the view of the gently rippling water of the lake, or allow yourself to be lulled on sunny afternoons by the soft sunlight that filters through the leafy branches of the tall trees, creating strange shadows on the half-open window.

Rest in the most private rooms, hidden behind a thousand fragrant flowers, and admire the views of the lake and its gentle mountains from those private balconies.

LIZ TAYLOR SUITE LAKE VIEW
These suites, dedicated to the famous actress Liz Taylor, who was a guest of the Villa in the 1960s, are situated on the third and the fourth floor of the Hotel.

They consist of a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, a separate shower and Acqua di Parma products, a large double bedroom with a view of the lake, which you can also enjoy from the bed for an unforgettable awakening, and a walk-in wardrobe. An elegant private office and the room overlooking the Borromeo Islands enrich these refined rooms.

They have three large balconies, two of which have a view of the lake and facing the Hotel’s park. They can have separate beds, can accommodate up to six people and be communicating with the Belvedere lake-view suites. Room size 160 m ². Average size 122 m², balcony 38 m².

LA BORROMEA SUITE LAKE VIEW
It occupies the entire fifth floor of the Hotel and can only be reached via lift or a private staircase. The twin room is a large and balanced space, with two queen size beds. In the large bathroom, there is an elegant mosaic mounted around the Jacuzzi tub, while the spacious separate shower and the Acqua di Parma products complete the elements room.

The intimate lounge, located under the cupola, offers an incomparable view of the Borromeo islands. The whole suite is surrounded by balconies and terraces. On the terrace overlooking the lake, there is also a large Jacuzzi tub from which you can enjoy the view of the entire Borromean Gulf. Room size 115 m². Average size 105 m², terrace 100 m².

BELVEDERE SUITE LAKE VIEW 
The splendid view overlooking Lake Maggiore and its Islands makes these rooms excellent for an unforgettable stay. Equipped with a spacious bedroom with an adjoining walk-in wardrobe, a large private living room and bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, separate shower and Acqua di Parma products.

They can also accommodate up to four people. They can have separates beds and be communicating with the double deluxe lake-view rooms and with the Liz Taylor suites. Room size 74 m². Average size 60 m², balcony 14 m².

JUNIOR SUITE LAKE VIEW
Elegant rooms with a living area, a private terrace with a privileged view of the Borromean Islands, a large bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and Acqua di Parma products.

All these elements combine to recreate a feeling of intimate cosiness in each room, making these refined rooms ideal for special occasions and romantic stays. They can have separate beds and can be triple and communicating with the deluxe lake-view rooms. Room size 53 m². Average size 38 m², terrace 15 m².

DELUXE LAKE VIEW ROOM
Appeared on the noble side of the Resort overlooking the lake and the Borromeo Islands, those rooms have wide private balcony, working desk and chairs, Jacuzzi tub and/or shower, Acqua di Parma bath amenities, chenille bathrobe and slippers, with an average size of 26 sqm plus 9 sqm of balcony.

Can be twin bedded, triple occupancy and interconnecting with other Lake View rooms or with Junior Suites, Flower Suites or Belvedere Suite. Room size 35 m². Average size 26 m², balcony 9 m².

AMINTINA LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENT
Right in front of the Borromean Gulf with the frame of the 3 gems, Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori, a luxury service apartment finely furnished with a complete kitchen with all comforts, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with shower, a large and bright living room with dining area.

The private garden allows you to enjoy moments of relaxation with an amazing view. The apartment is located in the Hotel garden, the main building with all its services can be reached on foot with a few steps.

The buffet breakfast served at the restaurant and daily cleaning service are included in the rental fee. Approx 150 m² / 1615 sq. feet. Private garden 220 m² / 2370 sq. feet

DINING
The Chef at Villa & Palazzo Aminta stays in the kitchen until the early hours of the morning, preparing and creating increasingly new and exciting menus. Let yourself be carried away by aromas and flavours on an exciting journey of discovery into the regional and traditional cuisine of Lake Maggiore.

You will climb to the highest heights of Italian cuisine and savour splendid, lively and elegant dishes. The two restaurants at Villa & Palazzo Aminta are refined temples dedicated to healthy eating and to the careful study of raw materials and their use.

GOURMET RESTAURANT I MORI
Treat yourself to a romantic and evocative dinner in the splendid atmosphere of the restaurant I Mori. Overlooking the shores of Lake Maggiore and with its panoramic terrace, where you can enjoy a privileged view of the Borromean Gulf, the restaurant I Mori awaits you, allowing you to enjoy unforgettable moments of refinement and exquisite quality.

An impeccable menu with traditional, attentive and carefully-chosen flavours is accompanied by an extensive wine list and a careful and discreet service, aimed at recreating an idyllic atmosphere where you can lose yourself in the refinement of flavours and captivating combinations.

The restaurant I Mori can accommodate up to 35 people and is the ideal place for inviting your guests for an important occasion.

ITALIAN RESTAURANT LE ISOLE
The restaurant Le Isole is the ideal haven for those who want to dive deeply into an exploration of the flavours and recipes of typical Italian cuisine. From centuries of deeply-rooted tradition to experimenting with increasingly intriguing and engaging dishes, our Chef selects and deals only with fresh, local produce.

The breathtaking view that can be enjoyed from the high windows in the restaurant overlooking Lake Maggiore and the Borromeo Islands makes dinners and lunches at the Le Isole restaurant an unforgettable and inebriating experience.

You can rely on the skill and great care taken by our staff and the wide choice of wines on our list, including more than 450 wines. The restaurant Le Isole can accommodate up to 160 people.

BAR I PRINCIPI
The multifaceted soul of the I Principi bar and the thousand iridescent facets bringing it to life make this elegant and refined meeting place ideal for every situation. The I Principi bar is open from early in the morning through to the darkest and latest hours of the night and is a place in which you can and unwind at any time of the day.

A hot and full-bodied coffee, to start the day in the best way after a restful night, a glass of wine to savour before lunch or a quick, fresh snack to break to keep you going, a creamy ice-cream as a delicious treat, an elegant aperitif and a relaxing after-dinner drink.

The I Principi bar is always ready to satisfy your every need, pampering you with perfect flavours and the captivating notes of live music. The piano bar embraces guests in the I Principi bar with delicate hues that always aim to recreate an ideal atmosphere of relaxation and refreshment.

THE WINERY
The winery at Villa & Palazzo Aminta is the ideal place for experiencing intimate and romantic moments, while savouring a few glasses of the finest wines.

A wide selection of national and international wines is accompanied by a rich selection of cheeses and local products, to give guests at Villa & Palazzo Aminta a private and gratifying experience in an evocative and welcoming location.

THE TERRACE
Enjoy a front-row view of the enchanting scenery of Lake Maggiore and its islands. Villa & Palazzo Aminta’s elegant terrace is the ideal place for admiring the incredible sight offered by nature with its colours and shimmering reflections.

Totally open and sheltered from the sun, it will inspire exhilarating sensations inside you and you will feel in constant contact with the nature that surrounds you at any time of day. It is perfect for hosting private events, from breakfasts to dinners, or even a quick, relaxing snack.

STRESA HALL
The intimate little room where you can host your most precious events. This gem set in the most evocative and soul-stirring spot, embraced by a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore and its islands, overlooks the hotel’s swimming pool, giving you privacy and a place for reflection. Ideal for business meetings, dinners and cocktails.

THE BREAKFAST
Wake up every morning to the sweet fragrance of freshly-baked cakes and the warm aroma of coffee. Villa & Palazzo Aminta offers its guests a fresh, fragrant good morning, with a rich and tasty buffet.

The local produce and our products, which you can enjoy every morning at our elegant restaurant, are ideal for starting the day charged with the right amount of energy. A vast selection of traditional and healthy ingredients to pamper you and satisfy your morning habits.

CEREMONIES & EVENTS
As a precious jewellery box full of sumptuous jewels, Villa & Palazzo Aminta is the ideal place for letting your deepest dreams come true. Villa & Palazzo Aminta offer its guests the ideal stage on which they can enact their most stimulating desires.

A breathtaking location, punctual and meticulous service and the most refined quality at all times are the efficient tools of the trade with which Villa & Palazzo Aminta and all of its staff bring your most exclusive dreams to life.

Live those unforgettable moments that you wish would never end, here with us at Villa & Palazzo Aminta. Your child’s christening and your golden wedding anniversary, your graduation party with friends and relatives and your eighteenth birthday, the most yearned-for and long-awaited moment of all.

All these emotions, these unique and unforgettable moments, deserve the perfect setting to make them everlasting and eternal. Villa & Palazzo Aminta puts its extraordinary panorama overlooking Lake Maggiore and the splendid and lush Borromeo Islands at your complete disposal.

Feel the embrace of the refined elegance of our rooms and our restaurants. Relax in the shade of the flourishing park at Villa & Palazzo Aminta, while our staff will work carefully to offer you a complete and meticulous service and a wide range of possibilities to choose from to make your ceremony unforgettable.

WEDDINGS ON LAKE MAGGIORE
Villa & Palazzo Aminta is ready to pamper you and take care of you on the more special day of your life. Your every desire is an opportunity for us to treat you to unforgettable moments of pleasure. Whatever the ceremony you want to celebrate at Villa & Palazzo Aminta, you will find the widest range of possibilities to amaze and delight you and your guests.

Welcome your guests with a refreshing aperitif on our panoramic terrace where you can enjoy the magical view of the lake and of the Borromean Islands. Let yourself be enchanted by the refined selection of charming floral decorations and wonderful bouquets for the bride.

Allow yourself to be guided by the meticulous care and attention used in the selection of our menus and their fulfilment. Conclude this memorable day on a note of sweetness with the wedding cake that you have always admired in your dreams.

In the evening, our car with a private driver awaits you, or you might choose the key to one of the magnificent deluxe rooms overlooking the lake where you can spend a night of magical passion.

Your choices and your dreams will blend with our passion and our care and attention in conducting every moment of your wedding at Villa & Palazzo Aminta with the utmost elegance and refinement.

MEETINGS
Surrounded by delicate and harmonious landscapes, the Borromeo Room is the ideal space for holding meetings with the utmost concentration and respect for work.

It overlooks our flower garden on one side and Lake Maggiore and its islands on the other. It is finely furnished and decorated with stuccoes, tapestries and precious chandeliers. It has a floor space of 96 m² and can host meetings of 15 to 100 people.

It can easily be equipped with any audio and video system upon request, to allow the maximum care and attention during your work meetings. Delicious and refreshing breaks can be arranged upon request in our restaurants, I Mori or Le Isole, the Bar dei Principi or on the panoramic terrace.

THE SPA
From the primordial water and stone mix, from the harmony and energy synthesis, our well-being concept is born, in which Nature is the true protagonist. Villa Aminta Natural Action offers a “natural laboratory” for your encompassing well-being.

A sensory experience in which the pursuit of beauty combines with the purity of the product used. Our wellness programs stimulate energy rebalancing, and the harmonious relationships with nature, food and the wise use of time. Wellbeing at Villa e Palazzo Aminta is an unforgettable experience with the sun, the breeze, the view and the healthy food by our chef as its protagonists.

Your wellness experience continues around the pool or in our private garden on the Lake riverside, and culminates with an intimate moment at our unique Camelia Grotto, for you, your partner and your friends to enjoy an ancient ritual of pleasure.

GROTTA CAMELIA
Treat yourself to unforgettable moments in the spectacular La Grotta Spa at Villa & Palazzo Aminta, a magical retreat surrounded by soft light, gentle colours and delightful iridescent reflections.

An unmissable journey of health and well-being through the Turkish bath, the ice waterfall, the Aromarium and itineraries with sensory and Scottish showers creating a rhythmic variation between hot and cold. Experience hydro-chromo-therapy in the hydro-massage geyser tub and sip a warm cup of herbal tea in the relaxation area.

WELLNESS EXPERIENCE
Our ideal of well-being is made up of time, taste, pleasure, choice, relaxation and a little pampering. We will take you on a journey where the sun, the gentle breeze and the graceful landscape will be the background for moments of intimate pleasure in our la Grotta Spa.

Your Wellness Experience will continue in the pool or by the lake, culminating in an exclusive moment for you, as a couple or with friends, in our La Grotta Spa: a ritual of pleasure thousands of years old. Look for the offer that suits you best: a day at the Spa, a Wellness Holiday.

Our wellness centre is open both to customers passing by and to our guests who want to enjoy a Wellness day at one of “The Leading Hotels of The World” destinations. Access to the Spa is open all day, with lunch, outdoor swimming pool and beach by the lake and Wellness events.

FITNESS AREA
An area entirely dedicated to the well-being of the body and to deep regeneration. The refined alcove welcomes you with drawings inspired by the ivory inlays and precious stones of the exotic Taj Mahal.

The magnificent stone statues and the large painting decorated in gold enrich this intimate temple of sport and invite visitors to enjoy the harmonious and balanced environment.

In an atmosphere dedicated to body care, you will be able to see your reflection in the rich crystals and, amidst the fine oriental-style decor, sophisticated, advanced technology Technogym equipment awaits you, which is equipped with a plasma TV with satellite channels, offering you high-level performances.

Dedicated to Masso-physiokinesis, the physical therapy used increasingly frequently to achieve a mental and physical as well as a muscular balance. Lose yourself in an encounter between technology and magical charm, through a unique, regenerative experience for body and mind.

Taking advantage of the combined action of massage techniques and passive movements, aimed at restoring joint mobility, it can be freely used by the therapist to restore tone and elasticity and to strengthen bones, joints and muscles, or alleviate the symptoms of inflammation affecting them.

STRESA & LAKE MAGGIORE
Villa & Palazzo Aminta is not just place in which you can rest and regenerate yourself. The hotel and its magnificent landscape offer guests at Villa & Palazzo Aminta the opportunity to devote themselves, body and soul, to numerous different and engaging activities.

From fast-paced sports to the richest and most moving museums, passing through the most lavish and elegant shopping streets. Everything contributes to giving guests at Villa & Palazzo Aminta a complete and harmonious stay, in the extraordinary setting of Lake Maggiore and the Borromeo Islands.

Available to guests at the Hotel, there is the beautiful swimming pool overlooking the lake and the solarium with a magnificent view of the Borromean Islands. There are numerous summer water sports like water-skiing, parasailing and watercraft, which can be practiced by making use of the beach and the moorings with which the Hotel is equipped.

Moreover, guests can rent recreational motorboats to organize trips to the Islands and excursions departing from our piers. The Hotel also offers a convenient and fun bicycle service for visiting Stresa and the surrounding areas, in a sport and healthy way.

Winter sports can easily be practiced thanks to the Hotel’s strategic position. The nearby Italian and Swiss mountain ranges make it possible to get to the best ski resorts and practice all the alpine winter sports.

The nature park, set in lush vegetation, invites you to take long romantic walks amidst the evergreen plants in every season, including tall palm trees and azalea bushes, camellias and flowering rhododendrons. A few minutes from the Villa, you can reach stables allowing you to ride in harmony with nature.

MOUNTAINS & PANORAMIC VISITS
In the immediate vicinity of the Hotel, we advise our guests to visit the Mottarone, about 25 minutes by car from the hotel, or 15 minutes by cable car, ideal for walking and mountain enthusiasts. At 1,497 m of altitude, from its summits you can enjoy the view of the six lakes in the Po Valley, of the Italian and Swiss Alps and of the majestic Monte Rosa.

The peak, also equipped for winter sports, can be reached by cable car or by car along “The Borromea”, a scenic route taking you through torrents, centuries-old woods and soft meadows.

The Mottarone rises between the Maggiore and Orta lakes, between the provinces of Verbania and Novara. From the summit, the view stretches from the Maritime Alps to Monviso, from the nearest Monte Rosa massif to the Swiss Alps, up to the Po Valley.

Since 1970, the Stresa-Alpino-Mottarone cable car has led directly to the summit, but for over fifty years it was the Mottarone funicular, a yellow train, which tirelessly led tourists and skiers to the summit. The cable car can be found on the outskirts of Stresa beside the lakeside in front of Isola Bella, in 20 minutes, reaches an altitude of 1.491 meters.

The Giardino Alpinia is a 40,000 m2 natural terrace on the Mottarone, where visitors can relax while enjoying the view and staying in close contact with nature.

The Parco del Mottarone (Alpyland) is a sort of alpine coaster: an attraction similar to a roller coaster with the particularity that each user can decide the speed at which to face the track that develops all downhill. The track is 1,200 m long and develops over a height difference of 100 m.

The attraction is open to the public almost all year round except for November. Live the thrill of a breathtaking descent on the extraordinary bobsled roller coaster dropping sheer to the Lake Maggiore. Emotion and fun guaranteed for everybody. In winter the mountain becomes an important ski center, with its 15 km of equipped ski slopes and a rental point.

Located on the south western bank of Lake Maggiore, Arona is an important trade and tourist destination. After falling under the control of the Visconti family in 1277, Arona became fief of the Borromeo family between 1439 and 1797.

Already in the Middle Ages, in Piazza del Popolo under the arcades of the Porto district, the market was held every Tuesday, as still happens today; people flocked to it from every part of the lake and from all the neighboring towns, both to make purchases and to place their products or to trade them for imported products.

The fortress Rocca Borromea was built for defensive purposes on the Piedmont side of the lake, opposite Angera. The hill where the Fortress stands, owned by the Borromeo family, was cultivated until 1970 when the Fortress was granted to the Municipality of Arona and was opened as public park. The Parco della Rocca of Arona was reopened to the public in 2011.

The ancient Borromeo Castle, founded shortly before the year 1000 under the control of the Lombards, witnessed the birth of St. Charles Borromeo in 1538 in one of the corner rooms of the fortress, known as the “three lakes room” because of the view over the lake. The Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo was inaugurated and blessed by Cardinal Caccia in 1698. Reach the top from the inside and enjoy a fantastic view.

Verbania is the main administrative center of Lake Maggiore, founded in 1939 with the unification of Intra, Pallanza and Suna (as well as minor villages). It has recently become the seat of the Verbano Cusio Ossola Province.

Among the suburbs of Verbania, Intra is the most important commercial lake-port, characterized by the daily ferry line “Navigazione Lago Maggiore” – the historical public transport company established in 1825 – to Laveno Mombello (Va), on the Lombard bank.

The town centre is a pedestrian zone made by narrow lanes and small courtyards and included between the “lungolago” and San Vittore Basilica. Standing out as a shopping destination, its streets Via San Vittore, Via San Fabiano, Corso Garibaldi and the central Ranzoni Square are lined by many shops, cafés and restaurants.

The historic center, with its alleys overlooking the lakefront, is in itself the classic destination of tourists walking in Verbania: a path where all the character and the unmistakable atmosphere of Verbania are expressed at their best, among secular trees like magnolias and chestnut trees, as well as various sculptures that further embellish the context.

The lakeside of Pallanza is a wonder not afford to miss. The areas and the most ancient streets are well kept, they preserved many stores, clubs of all kinds and buildings of architectural merit.

Directly on the coast of Lake Maggiore is the Theater “Major” designed by a team of architects under the guidance of Salvador Perez Arroyo, which is an event center, theater and home to major concerts.

Intra and Pallanza markets for centuries have represented an important moment of exchange and meeting with producers who were also traveled long distances to sell their goods. Today even completely changed still retain their charm and keep alive the memory of ancient customs; stalls are mostly industrial goods but it is not uncommon to find local producers with the first fruits of the land.

Baveno is a charming vacation resort close to the Borromeo Gulf. Most important monuments are the S.S. Gervaso and Protaso Parish Church, with a characteristic gabled façade showing traces of an ancient fresco decoration, and the Baptistery, characterized by a square plan on the inside and an octagonal form on the outside.

The lakefront retains a special charm offering magnificent views of the nearby Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella especially early morning and in the hours of sunset and late evening. From the artistic point of view the most important evidence is represented by the monumental religious complex with a parish church, bell tower, baptistery and stations of the cross.

The façade has two Roman tombstones of Romanesque architecture as well as the bell. Very impressive is the baptistery dating about the fifth century, extensively modified over the following centuries and interior frescoes of Renaissance origin. In more recent times the arcade with the Via Crucis added to the complex in 1939.

Worth a visit is also the Lago Maggiore Aquadventure Park, a fun park for the whole family with indoor and outdoor swimming-pools, slides and an adventure-zone. At the foot of the majestic rock face of Monte Rosa, Europe’s highest peak, is Macugnaga, about an hour’s drive from Stresa.

It is a village founded eight centuries ago by the Walser population of German origin, rich in traditions and culture preserved over the years through its houses made of stone and wood, the costumes with precious embroidery, the language and the typical traditions. It offers tourist accommodation services, modern sports facilities and ski resorts.

Cannero, one-of-a-kind vacation resort nested on a small sunny promontory, it has become famous for its mild climate both in summer and winter. Visitors can take a ferry ride to reach the picturesque castles of Cannero.

Sport lovers can enjoy swimming, sailing, canoeing, fishing, etc. from its long and wide beach. Its crystal-clear waters and the top-quality services granted this area the “Blue Flag” (“Bandiera Blu”).

The Castles of Cannero, also known as “Malpaga Castles”, rise from the water not far from the shore. They stand on two islets fortified during the Middle Ages as a defense zagainst brigands who would use them as hideaway and to control the trading with neighboring Switzerland.

From the 1960s Cannero Riviera was the scene of a revaluation of the Camelia, which, after a shining success in the nineteenth century, had been forgotten. Here the passion for this marvelous flower has flourished again and every year the Mostra della Camelia.

The display part of the cut flower shows more than 250 species of camellias brought by local florists, from Lombardy, from nearby Switzerland and from amateurs and admirers of this delicious flower, for an exhibition on an area of about 300 square meters.

Cannobio is an animated tourist resort and destination particularly loved by foreigners. It has historical monuments such as the beautiful San Vittore Collegiate Church and S.S. Pietà Sanctuary.

A true wonder of nature at just a short walking distance from Cannobio towards the mountains above: the Sant’Anna Gorge. The unrelenting millennial activity of the Cannobino stream has hollowed out this 25 m. deep ravine. The gorge was named after the Sanctuary nearby with valuable paintings dedicated to Sant’Anna’s life.

In July 2003, UNESCO included the Sacred Mounts of the Holy Trinity of Ghiffa, Orta, Varallo, Belmonte, Oropa, Crea and Domodossola in the list of world heritage, writing: «The realization of a work of architecture and sacred art in a natural landscape, for educational and spiritual purposes, has reached its highest expression in the Sacred Mountains of northern Italy and has had a profound influence on subsequent developments in the rest of Europe […] The Sacred Mountains of northern Italy represent the successful integration of architecture and fine arts in a landscape of remarkable beauty. In a critical period of the history of the Catholic Church they witnessed an attempt to recover Christian values ​​”.

The Sacred Mount of Orta is a monumental complex dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, elevated at the top of hill behind the downtown area. It was in the XVII century that first Saint Charles Borromeo and then Carlo Bescapè Bishop of Novara started the construction of the Sanctuary, aimed at contrasting the effects of the Transalpine Protestant Reform.

The project was completed only much later during the XVIII Century. 21 chapels narrating the life of Saint Francis in chronological order follow one another along a spiral course. Today’s visitor climbs up toward a moral regeneration at the same time enraptured by the beauty of the terracotta statues and the frescoes decorating the chapels.

In the Special Nature Reserve of the Holy Trinity Sacred Mount is the monumental baroque complex of the Sacred Mount. Its Sanctuary and the three chapels celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Erected to replace an ancient oratory, the Sanctuary of Ghiffa was constructed in 1605 to receive the great number of pilgrims who would come to visit it as it was considered miraculous.

The Special Nature Reserve of the Sacred Mount Calvario declared by Unesco in 2003 part of the World Heritage, rises on the historical Mattarella Hill, one of the areas so beloved by Antonio Rosmini. The Sacred Mount complex was started in 1656 with the Sanctuary followed then through the centuries with the 15 chapels that narrate the Way of the Cross.

The Sacred Mount of Varallo Sesia, the oldest, was a model for the other Piedmontese and Lombard Sacred Mounts: it is part of the list of Christian shrines, dedicated to Christ and the cross, to the cult of saints, to the Madonna, and to the Archangel Michael.

Located on a medieval place of worship, then home to a convent of nuns and a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Sacro Monte di Varese was built starting from 1604. The devotional route develops from the vicinity of Varese to the top of Mount Velate and it represents the Mysteries of the Rosary which, after the battle of Lepanto in 1571, had become a source of inspiration for religious devotion in Europe.

An evocative trip to Locarno, the old part of town, known as Città Vecchia, is full of interesting surprises: do not miss the palaces, churches, the Visconti Castle and the narrow alleys in which you breathe peace and tranquility. Magnificent is the panoramic route along the shores of Lago Maggiore.

Following the lakeside path from Minusio to Muralto and Locarno, you will reach the Camellia Park, not far from the Maggia river. It is an easy route, entirely flat, mostly on sidewalks and roads exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.

Lago Maggiore Express offers the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable trip by train and ferry from spring to autumn. First take the train (“Trenitalia” from Lake Maggiore to Domodossola, then the Vigezzina-Centovalli) and finally the “Navigazione Lago Maggiore” ferry (from Locarno back to the town of departure) or vice versa. Discover the wonders of the mountains and lake in just one day!

The Vigezzina-Centovalli Line is a panoramic line which takes visitors to see marvelous scenery in Val Vigezzo and Centovalli. Every year, it carries hundreds of thousands of passengers between a Domodossola, in Val d’Ossola, and Locarno, in Canton Ticino.

A trip on the Vigezzina-Centovalli can be paired with cableway itineraries to give the more athletic an opportunity to go on several excursions in Centovalli and Valle Vigezzo.

Romantic and not to be missed, is a visit to the beautiful Lake Orta, about 40 minutes by car from Stresa. As the famous writer from the Lake Maggiore area, Piero Chiara, it is “A watercolour created by God, painted on a silk backdrop, with the Sacro Monte behind it, its moving avenue with closed buildings alongside it, the silent square with peaked facades behind the horse chestnut trees and opposite the island of San Giulio…” It is a place of magical silence and graceful sophistication.

Lake Orta is in Northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore to which it is linked through the Nigoglia stream and the Strona and Toce rivers. Here many illustrious artists and people of culture spent their holidays and celebrated it and business men established an industrial district.

Orta San Giulio is a renowned tourist center and a summer resort. It takes its name after St. Jules, who was sent here during the IV century by emperor Theodosius to evangelize the area and fight against the Arian heresy. Villa Motta (XIX century) is a private residence famous for its flowers: the garden can be visited in blooming time.

Villa Bossi hosts the Town Hall: it has a beautiful garden overlooking the lake, hand-made iron gates and small balconies. The “Palazzo della Comunità” on the Motta Square was built in 1582 and was the Courthouse where the legislative and judiciary authority was exercised.

The island of San Giulio stands just a few minutes by boat from Orta. In the middle, the “Mater Ecclesiae” Abbey has been an important monastery of Benedictine nuns since 1973. Interesting and peaceful are the walk around the island, its villas and views of the lake.

Of a very ancient origin as testified by early-Christian archaeological findings (kept in the crypt), the Basilica probably stands on the site where St. Jules is supposed to have erected a church in the IV century. Of clear Romanesque structure, the present church (IX-XI century) is built to a Latin-cross plan and has a nave and two aisles with apses.

A peaceful corner with crystal clear waters very near to the point where the Toce river flows into Lake Maggiore, basin from which the Lake of Mergozzo originates. In ancient times, this tiny lake was in fact a gulf of Lake Maggiore.

Ossola is so close to the Swiss border and yet and so Italian as shown by its attractions, typical cuisine and tradition. Here Nature is in any way the absolute protagonist: alpine lakes, parks, forests and white slopes contribute to shape the rich landscape.

The Val Grande National Park, the most extensive Wilderness Area of the Alps (about 15,000 hectares) is enclosed between Lake Maggiore and Ossola, that is the Val Grande National Park. The European Wilderness Association declared the only area in Europe that completely maintains original environmental properties.

The second highest European summit, Mount Rosa, represents the real jewel of the Anzasca Valley. From the Bognanco Valley, also known as the “valley of 100 waterfalls”, a paradise for canyoning and hiking lovers, to the Antrona Valley, lately declared Regional Nature Park, and the Antigorio-Divedro-Formazza Valleys ,with the famous 145 m high Toce Waterfall: a definitely dreamlike combination for a holiday immersed in the most uncontaminated nature.

At La Frua the water of this sensational natural display falls into the ravine for 145 m. reaching a width of 60 meters at the base. The Toce Waterfall is used for hydroelectric purposes: the water is partially led into a forced duct and “let free” in all its majestic power only during specific summer periods. Continuing along the main road one reaches the imposing dam wall of the artificial Morasco Lake.

The Morasco Dam, 565 meters long and 55 high, was created in the 1930s to generate electricity to meet the needs of the valley. It is located in close proximity to the village of Riale, the northernmost fraction of Piedmont. The valley is also famous for the baths of Premia, a village whose natural hot water has therapeutic properties.

BORROMEO ISLANDS
Stresa, a delightful little capital on the shores of Lake Maggiore, overlooking the splendid Gulf of the Borromean Islands, is located on the slopes of the Mottarone, in a spectacular panorama between water and mountains.

Renowned throughout the world, it is a prestigious place to stay for elite tourists and business customers, an authentic jewel with a high-level cultural and artistic life. It is a centre of international meetings and events, sports competitions and prestigious cultural and artistic initiatives.

Favourite city of the king of Wurttemberg, the sovereigns of England, Elisabeth of Saxony and artists and academics, it was praised by Dickens, Flaubert and Fogazzaro. The lakeside of Stresa was built in the 30s. The initial illumination, defined as the “ballon”, seen at night gave a romantic atmosphere to the lakefront.

There are numerous tours and excursions not to be missed in the area surrounding Stresa, an interesting and fun way to become more deeply acquainted with Lake Maggiore and many excursions can be booked at the Hotel. The most exciting of these is undoubtedly the visit to the Borromean Islands, a few minutes by bat from Stresa and from the Hotel.

Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), the most evocative of the Borromean Islands, visited every day by thousands of tourists, is the home of the monumental Baroque Palace, the dwelling of the Borromeo family and in which there are priceless works of art.

The palace is surrounded by lush gardens where you will find all varieties of rare plants and flowers growing on the terraces: a classic and unique example of an Italian garden of that period. On the island, there are numerous bars, restaurants and many shops selling artisan products and souvenirs.

Isola Madre (Mother Island), largest of the Borromean Islands, is the most distinctive due to the atmosphere there. On the island, there is the wonderful garden of rare plants and exotic flowers where white peacocks live, along with parrots and pheasants of every variety, creating the enchantment of a tropical land.

The Mother Island is particularly famous for the blooming of the azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Palace, with wonderful period spaces and collections of liveries, dolls and porcelains. The quaint

Isola Pescatori (Fishing Island), named after the traditional activity carried out by its inhabitants, has a special charm and has remained unchanged over the centuries, due to the simplicity and the rustic candour of its houses and small flower-filled streets.

The visit to the island is wonderful, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the delicious lake fish in one of the typical and renowned restaurants from which you can enjoy the lovely views of the coast. Another visit that is worth is to the mountain of Mottarone, the unmistakable “panettone” above Stresa and Orta.

In 2019, the 58th edition of the Stresa Festival will be held during the summer, as usual: it includes nights of concerts of symphonic orchestras, dance, cinema, literature and multimedia content. Having a visual show to complement a concert has become a mark of style for the Stresa Festival.

Pleasant and relaxing is shopping, under the historic arcades and streets adjacent fashion, jewelry stores, bookstores, antique dealers. Out port, at 10 km, is the middle market Gande islands (more than 50 stores). Also not to be missed are the numerous local craft stalls and typical products found on the Borromean Islands!

ART, HISTORY & CULTURE
Do not miss a visit to the majestic and impressive Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso, an hour by car or 15 minutes by boat from Stresa, built on the cliff top overlooking the lake, framed by a mystical and captivating landscape of rare beauty.

Located on the Lombardy side of Lake Maggiore, it was built in the twelfth century by Alberto Besozzi from Besozzo, a merchant who later retired there for life, becoming a hermit.

A historical trip to the impressive Castle of Angera, about 40 minutes by car from Stresa or 15 minutes by boat, built on the Rocca di Angera by the Visconti family, in which there are marvellous and very valuable frescoes in its Hall of Justice. In 1449, it became the property and the residence of the Borromeo family.

Since 1988, as well as visiting the fortress, you can also see the famous Museum of Dolls. From the Castle Tower, you can enjoy a breathtaking and unique view of the Lake and of Arona, a delightful town on the Piedmont side, which can be reached in 5 minutes by boat from Angera or in 15 minutes by car from Stresa, where you can visit the Rocca Borromeo and stroll through the lively old town centre, with its shops and restaurants.

Born in 2009 as a complement to the extraordinary castle structure, the Medieval Garden was designed to offer visitors a place of delight for sight, smell and contemplation, but at the same time to illustrate what the garden was in the Middle Ages, from the botanical and historical point of view.

The Medieval Garden is the rediscovery of the “original” plant, the one that is present in nature, which knows no human intervention and the typical cultural contaminations of the following centuries.

The Castle of Angera is also host of the exhibit Continuum, the exposure that inaugurated the Ala Scaligera at the Rocca di Angera. With this exhibit, the Borromeo family is continuing its centuries-old support for the arts, now expressing it through this new location. Ala Scaligera is a space dedicated exclusively to the arts and to contemporary creativity, hosting a series of specially created events.

Milan is about 75 km from Stresa and is the city of fashion, rich in history and art and the centre of the most important international cultural events. Also worth visiting, while walking through the heart of the city, around Piazza del Duomo, you can admire the artistic jewellery in the Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery), the Poldi Pezzoli Museum and the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle) and you can see an opera at the magnificent Teatro alla Scala opera house or do some shopping in Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga. There are numerous famous and elegant restaurants, cafés and wine bars where you can spend an evening in the most fashionable city in Europe.

Turin is a romantic and aristocratic city, about 130 km from Stresa, in which you will find artistic and cultural treasures of great value, like the superb Baroque buildings, architecture of the future and you can spend “trendy” evenings in the charming clubs and restaurants along the river.

Its magnificent squares will strike you with their grandeur and tradition. Its theatres with their precious decor offer unforgettable seasons. It is a city full of events, exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. It was also the venue of the 2006 Winter Olympics.

BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Villa Pallavicino botanical gardens [3 minutes by car from the Hotel] are well-known for the variety of its centuries-old trees, the beauty of its flowers and the luxuriant of the vegetation, with an astonishing view over Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains. It is also well known for the several species of exotic animals. The park extends over about 16 hectares and is open to the public.

The Alpinia botanical gardens [10 minutes by car from the Hotel] can be found on the hillside of Stresa. A wide natural terracing extends for about 40.000 square meters and offers an incredible view on Lake Maggiore, over the Borromeo Islands and the surrounding Alpine chains. The main feature of Alpinia gardens is the variety of thousands of different species that come from the alpine and sub-alpine plain of the Alps.

Villa Taranto and its Botanical Gardens [20 minutes by car from the hotel], is an idyllic place for nature lovers. Located on Castagnola promontory, close to Verbania Pallanza, is rich of thousands of plants imported from all over the world and extremely rare collections have been laid out artistically in a background of unrivalled beauty between the Lake and the mountains. The gardens have been open to the public since 1932 and are visited by countless groups of enthusiastic visitors every year.

GOLF CLUB
A few minutes from Villa & Palazzo Aminta you can reach several well-kept and prestigious Golf Clubs, in unique sites with a breathtaking view and affiliated with our Hotel.

Rooms: 71

Price: from 270 EUR per night

Source: www.villa-aminta.it