Lake Maggiore is one of Italy's most beautiful lakes and has enchanted many famous Italian and international artists who have stayed here. Considered the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence its name ‘Maggiore’ (meaning ‘major’), it is of glacial origin and its shores touch Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. Surrounded by mountains and hills that shelter it from the cold northern winds, the lake's tributaries include the Ticino, which has carved out a historic waterway connecting the Po Valley with Central Europe. Among the beauties of this lake are its 11 islands. Between Stresa and Verbania, the Borromean Islands archipelago is particularly charming, with Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. Nature lovers will find Lake Maggiore the ideal place to spend their holidays, given the presence of countless botanical gardens, including Villa Taranto with more than a thousand plants, Alpinia, the Camellia Park in Locarno and the gardens located on the various islands. There are also many nature reserves, such as the Val Grande National Park and the Ticino Valley Nature Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.