The Brissago Islands, cradled by Lake Maggiore and the mountains of the Locarno region, are immersed in a microclimate that is exceptional even for the south of the Alps. On the smaller one, the island of Sant’Apollinare, access is only allowed to insiders, while the larger one, the island of San Pancrazio – open to the public from March to October – can be reached by scheduled boats. Leaving the pier, one is immersed in a spectacle of exotic colours, shapes and scents: this is the internationally renowned Botanical Garden of Canton Ticino. Covering an area of 2.5 hectares, it houses precious botanical collections, two thousand species from all continents. Plants from Australia, South Africa, South America, Asia, California and the Mediterranean Basin grow in the open all year round, despite the latitude. Of particular note is the collection of Proteaceae and Chilean species such as the copihue, Chile’s national flower. Huge trees and majestic palms alternate harmoniously with lush bushes and herbaceous species. Besides sight, all the other senses are pleasantly stimulated, e.g. by the scents of the Mediterranean. In the small ‘Orangerie’ greenhouse, on the other hand, one is immersed in a small, distinctly tropical world. The origin of the botanical garden dates back to 1885, when Baroness Antoinette Fleming St. Leger fell in love with the islands. Her passion for exotic plants transformed the islands so much that they would one day become a public botanic garden. Later owner Max Emden maintained the exotic crops and built the villa that today houses the Hotel Villa Emden. The islands always know how to excite – in sunshine, in rain and in fog – in every season. This unicum is absolutely worth a visit! The Brissago Islands are part of the Great Italian Gardens and the Gardens of Switzerland networks, the latter bringing together the most beautiful gardens in Switzerland.