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Italian Lakes Holidays
Nestled in the cavernous valleys, which descend from the Alps, are the long sparkling bodies of water that make up the lake district in Italy. Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda emit their unique sparkle onto the magnificent surrounding landscape and in turn attract diverse tourists to their banks. Younger travellers enjoy the sailboarding and nightlife experience of Lake Garda whilst sophisticates from Milan are drawn to the magnetism of Lake Como. Maggiore provides a tranquil, relaxed respite and can be enjoyed from the comforts of its surrounding luxury Lake Como hotels.
Lake Como
Luxurious Lake Como hotels and enchanting villas, decorated with bougainvillea line the banks of the sparkling waters of Lake Como, which is known as Lago Di Como locally. Three long lakes converge to form Lake Como, joining in the Centro Lago area with the four towns of Bellaggio, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Varenna. These can be visited via the boats and buses connecting the towns in all three areas of the lake. Cultural areas of interest include Como's duomo, which combines the best of Gothic and Renaissance elements. Contiguous to this lies the former communal palace, the Broletto and two blocks from here is the Church of San Fedele. Scenic vistas can be explored from a funicolare to Brunate. Hiking trails lead off from here with overnight accommodation en route in the form of baite (modest guesthouses). Across the lake is the Tempio Voltiano a memorial museum devoted to Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery. There is an outdoor market in Como every Tuesday and Thursday morning and the whole day on Sunday.
Lake Maggiore
The natural beauty of Lake Maggiore offers lush and beautiful scenery and visitors can star gaze both day and night, as the lake district in Italy is a popular holiday destination of the elite. Visitors on Italian lakes holidays can explore the resort town of Stresa, which is a haven for Italians, French and Germans who flock to its cobbled streets and enjoy the spectacular mountain and lake views from its quarters. Just a heartbeat away lays further splendour in the form of the Borromean Isles. Daily excursion tickets enable adventurous travellers to hop between the islands at their leisure. Of these isles, the Isola Bella is the most visited. Its claim to fame is the magnificent Baroque palace, the Palazzo e Giardini Borromeo, replete with priceless masterpieces, tapestries, furniture and paintings. The terraced gardens reach their dramatic apex with the unicorn, the Borromeo family emblem. On Isola Madre is the Borromeo bambini doll collection as well as a number of portraits of the family. A magnificent botanical garden flows from the house with plentiful exotic trees, plants and flowers.
Lake Garda
The magnificent setting of Lake Garda, or Lago di Garda, blends beautifully with the warm summers climate and is why Lake Garda is the most popular of Italy's northern lakes. The lake towns of Riva, Gardone Riviera and Sirmione can be reached via buses, hydrofoils and ferries from Desenzano. The town of Sirmione boasts the relics of Roman civilisation and a magnificent medieval castle. The Sirmione Spa, the largest privately owned thermal treatment centre in Italy, offers invigorating therapy from its sulphurous waters. Gardone Riviera was once the playground of the rich and famous and is now the recreational haunt for many a tourist. The hills beyond Gardone are perfect for walking and enjoying the scents of nature bursting from the lemon groves. The alpine cliffs casting their glorious shadows off Riva del Garda, is a perfect spot from which to hike, mountain bike and windsurf. The picturesque pebble beaches provide a slower, languid soaking-up-the-sun experience.
