Islands and gardens, villas, parks, flowers and major events: starting from March 2017 the tourist season in the territory of the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, Monti e Valli dell'Ossola begins again with the most eagerly-awaited new attractions!
From March 2017, the month that marks the beginning of the high season in the territory of the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi with the opening of visits to the islands, our splendid territory – comprising the Ossola valleys and mountains and magnificent Lakes Maggiore, Orta and Mergozzo - is ready to welcome Italian and international visitors with the opening of the main tourist attractions:
# Parco Rocca di Arona, the scenic treasure surrounding the castle where San Carlo Borromeo was born (www.parcoroccaarona.com).
# “San Carlone”, the gigantic statue dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo (35.10 metres in height) (www.statuasancarlo.it)
# Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens, with its combinations of colours and shapes dictated by the flowering of tulips and dahlias, the light and shade effects created by the majestic centuries-old trees, the fountains, the pools with tropical water plants and the hothouse (www.villataranto.it).
# Parco Zoo Villa Pallavicino, an area of around 20 hectares included flower avenues full of flowers, centuries-old trees, a marvellous botanical garden and, the main attraction, the animals. (www.parcozoopallavicino.it)
# Giardino Alpina, 40,000 sq.m on a natural belvedere on Mount Mottarone, where you can relax looking at the landscape and remaining in close contact with nature (www.giardinobotanicoalpinia.altervista.org).
# Borromean Islands, a major local tourist attraction for their picturesque setting (www.isoleborromee.it). As always, the Islands can be reached with the services offered by the Motorboats owned by Private Consortiums and the Navigazione Lago Maggiore company.
In 2017 in the area of the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, Monti e Valli there will be lots of opportunities for amusement, relaxing, tasting local food and wine and taking part in top-level events.
# “Citrus Fruits of Cannero Riviera”, visitors will be able to satisfy all their botanical curiosities on site, before setting off to discover the gardens opened exceptionally for the event (www.cannero.it).
# Camellia Exhibition, Camelias are the emblem of the local floricultural production first set up 150 years ago on Lake Maggiore and now recognised as outstanding in Europe with 5 million plants grown by one hundred or so companies in the provinces of Verbano Cusio Ossola and Novara (+39 0323 503249).
# Fireworks Festival 2017, the shows are offered in the splendid natural settings of the lakes and mountains and attract over 300,000 thousand spectators to the area (www.distrettolaghi.it).
# The traditional summer music festivals are also already confirmed: “Stresa Festival” (www.stresafestival.eu), “Un Paese a Sei Corde”, the International Organ Festival “Sonata Organi”, Ossola Guitar Festival, Tones on the Stones and Miasino Jazz Festival.
# Cultural and literary events include: La Fabbrica di Carta (www.facebook.com/fabbricadicarta), Lago Maggiore LetterAltura Festival (www.letteraltura.it), Il Teatro sull'Acqua (www.teatrosullacqua.it).
# Appointments with food and wine, folklore and traditions, in particular the typical ones connected with the mountains of the Ossola area: “Life amongst the Leponti and Walser peoples”, “St. Bernard’s Fair”, “Lake Flavours”, “Potato Festival”, the 36th International Chimney Sweep Meeting (www.santamariamaggiore.info), “Father Christmas's Real Grotto” (www.grottadibabbonatale.it) and many others (www.distrettolaghi.it).
# This year also promises to be innovative and intense for the sport competitions that have been scheduled.
Once again this year, there will be countless opportunities for open-air and leisure activities making the most of scenic attractions: cruises on the lake or sightseeing trips aboard the “Treno delle Centovalli”.
Then there are water sports, golf courses surrounded by splendid scenery, panoramic walks around the lakes or to discover the most beautiful valleys for all ages and abilities.
Not to be missed by the most enterprising visitors are moments of pure fun in contact with nature: Aquadventure Park (Baveno), Alpyland (Stresa, Mottarone) and the Zipline (Aurano, Verbania).
Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Mergozzo, surrounded by the splendid Ossola Valleys are waiting for you to give you an all-round holiday: let yourself be welcomed and pampered by one of the over 850 accommodation facilities offered in our area, take advantage of the countless opportunities for amusement, savour the culture and the local specialities linked to our tradition for excellent food and wine, take part in the innumerable evenings organised in our best-known resorts, the settings for big events and favoured by unforgettable moments!
With over three and a half million visitors a year, 70% of them foreigners, the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi area – located in the centre of a territory with a high population density between Switzerland, Varese, Milan and Turin - is one of the most important tourist destinations in Northern Italy!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!