Villa Taranto

Four straight days of rain here in Stresa. Enough to make me think back to an afternoon two weeks ago in Villa Taranto, where I took these photos. Flowers, sunshine, blue skies... that's more like it.

It took a Scottish captain, Neil McEacharn, thirty years to create this stunning property, which he then donated to Italy. It will take you one to two hours to meander its 20 hectares of gardens on the 7 km of paths. And then leave yourself a few minutes more to relax with a glass of wine in the cafe located at the entrance.

Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto, Verbania Pallanza
Open from April 1 to October 31, daily from 8.30 to 19.30
Minutes from Stresa by car, or with boat service to Villa Taranto
Web site: www.villataranto.it