BORROMEAN ISLANDS  , a group of four islands on the W. side of Lago Maggiore off Baveno and Stresa . The southern-most, the Isola Bella, is famous for its chateau and terraced gardens, constructed by Count Vitaliano Borromeo (d . Ago) . To the N.W. is the Isola dei Pescatori, containing a fishing village; and to the N.E. of this the Isola Madre, the largest of the group, with a chateau and garden; and to the N. again, off Pallanza, is the little Isola S . Giovanni .