BORROMEAN ISLANDS, four islands on the west of Lago Maggiore off Baveno and Stresa. Isola Bella is famous for its château and terraced gardens, built by Count Vitaliano Bor romeo (d. 169o) ; north-east of this is the Isola Madre, the largest of the group, with a château; north again, off Pallanza, is the little Isola S. Giovanni.