Step aboard as the ferry glides south across Lago Maggiore, where the snowy peaks of Switzerland fade into the distance and Italy’s warmth returns in full bloom. In this third episode of our five-part Lago Maggiore Series, travel author and host Katerina Ferrara takes you through the central shores of Verbania, exploring the poetic towns of Pallanza, Intra, and the legendary Villa Taranto Gardens, where nature and art meet in perfect harmony.

Feel the gentle rhythm of the lake as voices shift from Swiss to Italian, church bells echo across the water, and colorful facades shimmer beneath the morning sun. Katerina’s narration captures the elegance and authenticity that define this region, the heart of Lago Maggiore’s soul.

In Pallanza, discover timeless grace: tree-lined promenades, pastel villas, and one of the most extraordinary botanical gardens in Europe. The story of Captain Neil Boyd McEacharn, a Scottish visionary who created Villa Taranto in the 1930s, unfolds like a living fairytale. Hear how he transformed the lakeside into a global masterpiece of 20,000 plant species, from lotus ponds to dahlias, magnolias, wisteria, and camellias. In May, the gardens burst into bloom, perfuming the air with color and serenity.

Continue south to Intra, the working heart of Verbania, where ferries glide, markets fill the piazzas, and life unfolds in the cadence of everyday Italy. Experience the hum of the Saturday market, the aroma of fresh focaccia, and the bell of Basilica di San Vittore, the town’s spiritual anchor. Here, simplicity becomes beauty and travelers discover a slower, more human rhythm that defines immersion travel.

Katerina weaves personal stories and practical insights with cultural history, offering listeners a rich sense of place from the Passeggiata della Beata Giovannina, a lakeside walk named after a local saint, to café terraces where locals linger for hours over espresso and conversation. Learn where to stay, what to eat, and how to navigate the lake’s ferry routes with ease as she reveals her favorite hotels, osterie, and hidden corners around Verbania.

This episode is both a journey and a meditation, a reflection on the artistry of gardens, the pulse of community, and the enduring spirit of northern Italy. Whether you are a garden lover, a cultural explorer, or simply dreaming of Italy’s lakes, Episode 3 invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and let Lago Maggiore’s light and tranquility wash over you.

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and discover why Lago Maggiore’s central shores capture the essence of slow European travel.

🌸 Explore Katerina’s Ultimate Festival and Travel Guide Series, including Sicily, Puglia, Rome and Beyond, and Venice and the Veneto, available on Amazon, with new editions for Milan and Lombardy and The Italian Lakes coming soon.
📚 Links and details at www.katerinaferrara.com.

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🌍 Visit katerinaferrara.com for travel itineraries, blogs, and festival insights.
📸 Follow Katerina on Instagram @katerinaferraraauthor for photos, behind the scenes journeys, and Italian festival inspiration.
🎥 Watch the full Lago Maggiore Series on YouTube under Immersion Travel Italy.

✨ Let the waters of Lago Maggiore guide you south, where sunshine, serenity, and the soul of Italy meet in every reflection.