Isola Madre (the whole island) is really one huge botanical garden, in the middle of which the lovely 18th century villa stands shaded by huge cypresses. The villa is simple but charming, and stands beside its own chapel where the tombs of the Borromean family can be found. The decoration is impressive and there are some old puppet theatres set up inside the villa. In the beautifully laid out gardens, traversed by shady avenues, are semi-tropical shrubs and flowers growing in colourful profusion. A varied selection of birds, including peacocks and pheasants, can be found roaming wild around the island.