Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino
Villa Taranto
Villa Taranto is located 40 km from Borgomanero in a beautiful setting between the mountains and Lake Maggiore. The origin of the botanical Gardens dates back to 1931 when captain Neil McEacharn bought the property with the idea of transforming it into one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Thousands of plants from the far corners of the world are artistically arranged along the 7 km of avenues.
Spring and its blossoming nature will enchant you with the splendor of historical gardens and natural parks along the banks of the lake where a multitude of flowers and plant species take part in an informal beauty contest each year. But not only spring offers a wonderful display. From spring to autumn each season has its own heritage of blooms!
Open from late Mrch to early November
Villa Pallavicino
Built in 1855 as a holiday house for Queen Margherita and King Umberto I by Ruggero Bonghi in one of the most beautiful spots on Lake Maggiore.
The villa became the property of the Marquises Pallavicino in 1862. Covering a surface of about 18 hectares, the park includes a zoological garden planned by the proprietor’s mother, open lawns and classical gardens.
The most enchanting area in the park is a simple grassy path covered in wild flowers, bordered by a line of cypresses curved so as to create a row of arches offering spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
There is also a ”Farm” area with meek Tibetan goats, ”saltasassi” sheep, sheep, llamas and deer that live free in the grounds and look for contact with “gentle” visitors.
There are innumerable trees including majestic sequoias, Ginkgoes, plane trees, oak-trees, magnolias, larches and fruit-trees, a superb cedar of Lebanon to be found on the downs in front of the villa, wisteria, oleanders, azaleas, rhododendrons and a large rose-garden.
In July 2017, the Pallavicino Park became part of the Terre Borromeo circuit with Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Rocca di Angera and Parco del Mottarone.
Open from the end of March to the end of October.