søndag 26. september 2010

Italy #2 - The Borromean Islands


The Borromean Islands (It. Isole Borromee) are a group of three small islands and two islets in the Italian part of Lago Maggiore, located in the western arm of the lake, between Verbania to the north and Stresa  to the south. Together totalling just 50 acres (20 hectares) in area, they are a major local tourist attraction for their picturesque setting.

Their name derives from the Borromeo family, which started acquiring them in the early 16th century (Isola Madre) and still owns some of them (Isola Madre, Bella, San Giovanni) today.


Isola Bella, named for Isabella, countess Borromeo, was originally a largely barren rock; after first improvements and buildings, opened by count Carlo III between 1629 and 1652, his son Vitaliano the 6th built an attractive summer palace, bringing in vast quantities of soil in order to build up a system of ten terraces for the garden. The unfinished building displays paintings by Lombard artists and Flemish tapestries.


Facts from Wikipedia.

PS: That is my brother entertaining all the tourists by doing a Rocky imitation, 
complete with humming the music and everything!
PS II: That is my bonus sister with the awesome tattoo.
PS III: That is me slacking in the shade.

More from day 2 later! And please do tell me if I am 
killing you with holiday picture overdose here :)

 All pictures © SignePling

12 kommentarer:

  1. Great pictures!!!!!!
    Have a wonderful new week,
    Yvonne

    SvarSlett
  2. Love these pics, hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

    SvarSlett
  3. ha ha your brother is awesome. He seems like a confident person! These pictures are quite beautiful my dear. I like how they have a vintage feel to them.

    Rachael

    SvarSlett
  4. lovely photos once again! I love the photo with the masks..did you pick up any cool trinkets while in Italy?

    SvarSlett
  5. For me its not holiday overkill at all. Some of my pen-friends who do travel always send such fantastic holiday reports, photos, postcards etc...and it feels like I'm there but also I'll probably never get to see these places for myself so I appreciate it so much more :).

    As I said earlier you take such fantastic photos that its a complete joy to look at anyway :) but I love the added facts.

    SvarSlett
  6. more pictures - more! I love pictures! Especially, from far away places.

    SvarSlett
  7. I love them and hope you do have more! It makes me feel like I'm on vacation too :) (And your brother looks like a funny, fun person!)

    SvarSlett
  8. Hehe, yeah, my brother is not the kind of person that is afraid to get noticed :)

    SvarSlett
  9. amazing pics! i love your blog and blog design both!

    SvarSlett
  10. I love your blogposts about Italy, seems you had a really nice holiday !

    SvarSlett
  11. I love those photos...Ohh Italy...how I miss you:)
    Kisses, my dear

    SvarSlett