Lake Maggiore with its light blue waters offers nature, parks, mountains, gardens, islands, flowers, and so much more!A mountain sequence encloses the lake basin; dominating this landscape is the huge Alpine chain of Monte Rosa: only 50km as the crow flies separate Lake Maggiore's waters from these mountaintops, that reach over 4000 metres in height.Moving away from the lake's shores, you can't help but notice the numerous hilly and mountainous villages that, as well as offering spectacular views, they also possess a vast amount of folklore and ancient traditions. There are many fascinating paths and excursions to undertake, that lead to valleys facing Lake Maggiore: Val Formazza, with its Toce Falls, Val Vigezzo, nicknamed "The painter's valley", Valle Anzasca, which peaks with the Walser habitat of Macugnaga, and Valle Antrona, which boasts fascinating alpine tarns.Among these jewels of nature, we must highlight the Val Grande Nature Park, the most extensive wild area in central Europe.Let's turn back to the lake. Made famous by the presence of the Borromeo Islands, in the homonymous gulf facing Stresa, the lake offers other numerous points of interest: splendid villas and gardens created in the 19th and 20th Century along the Piedmont shores. Stresa and Verbania, for this reasons, merit a visit, to admire, respectively, the Borromeo Gardens and the Villa Taranto and Villa San Remigio botanical gardens.Even the nearby Lake Orta helps to increase the charm of this tourist area. Shining out from Omegna, a reference point for all of Cusio, this mirror of water plays host to the enchanting San Giulio Island. From Omegna, then, you can head up to Val Strona, famous for its wood crafted products, for example the figurines of Collodi's Pinocchio, and its brass musical instruments.The last glance goes on the Novara Hills, where excellent wines will carry you along typical tasting itineraries.