This map shows the route that we took on our 10 day bus tour with Collette Vacations. We flew to Milan,
were transported north to Stresa, and then spent the next 10 days heading principally down the west coast
to Rome. From there we flew home.
We were lucky enough to spend our first night in the 5 star Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. This hotel
was exquisitely decorated in gold, paintings and statues.
Our hotel was backgrounded by a beautiful garden and patio area.
Stresa is located on the south-west shore of Lago Maggiore. From our hotel window, you could see the Alps to the north.
Lago Maggiore includes a number of islands. In the background, you can see Isola Bella, which was purchased
by Carlo III Borromeo and named for his wife (Isle Isabella) in 1632.
Over the next 40 years, the gardens were gradually built up to what you can now see in this photo. In the
evening we were ferried over to the island and dined in a charming restaurant located there.
This photo shows the main street of Stresa, on which our hotel is situated.
The next morning, we headed south to Genova. This is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital
of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. The city has a population of ca. 620,000 and the
urban area has a population of ca. 890,000
In Genova, you can find Victory Arch, which was built a little prematurely during World War II.
Here is the main square of Genova, with a large fountain in the center.
We visited a government Industrial & Agricultural building where meetings take place in this ornately
decorated room.
A charming little side street in Genova
We were lucky enough to spend our first night in the 5 star Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. This hotel
was exquisitely decorated in gold, paintings and statues.
Our hotel was backgrounded by a beautiful garden and patio area.
Stresa is located on the south-west shore of Lago Maggiore. From our hotel window, you could see the Alps to the north.
Lago Maggiore includes a number of islands. In the background, you can see Isola Bella, which was purchased
by Carlo III Borromeo and named for his wife (Isle Isabella) in 1632.
Over the next 40 years, the gardens were gradually built up to what you can now see in this photo. In the
evening we were ferried over to the island and dined in a charming restaurant located there.
The next morning, we headed south to Genova. This is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital
of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. The city has a population of ca. 620,000 and the
urban area has a population of ca. 890,000
Here is the main square of Genova, with a large fountain in the center.
