The Alpinia botanical garden, known as the flowered balcony, is located on the slopes of Mount Mottarone, precisely in Alpino. The garden offers two circular opportunities for visits. A first path winds through the woods for a deeper path and an intimate dialogue between oneself and nature. The second, on the other hand, is more extroverted, immediately showing the trump card of the breathtaking panorama that can only be enjoyed from a certain altitude. In the middle of both paths you can see a source of pure natural water that comes directly from the summit of Mottarone, at 1942 meters.

Originally joined to Lake Maggiore, it was separated from it following the formation of the Piana di Fondotoce. Entirely included in the special protection area "Lake Mergozzo and Mont'Orfano", the basin is navigable only by rowing or electric boats, which is why its waters are among the cleanest in Italy and is among the most popular destinations for fans of water sports and sport fishing. The village of the same name is characterized by a large square overlooking the banks and decorated by a large and centuries-old Elm. Narrow alleys and colorful houses attached to each other complete the picture. Particularly impressive is the aperitif in the square at sunset.

Perched on its rocky ledge overlooking the lake, the monastery is an incredible sight. Recently restored and open to the public, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro is a complex of three buildings dating back to the thirteenth century, dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria by the founder Alberto Besozzi di Arolo, who after a shipwreck found escape on these rocks. Over the centuries, the monastery hosted several communities of monks. The natural beauty of its position, between rock and lake, is made even more picturesque by the three buildings that compose it and by the numerous cycles of frescoes in the chapel dedicated to Santa Caterina and in the two internal churches, the Church of Santa Maria Nuova and San Nicola.