Aside from being incredibly easy on the eye, the lake-dotted landscape also lends itself to some pretty special outdoor adventures including hikes, cruises and water sports – making this a destination for all. Combine the thrills with good weather all year round and you’re onto a winner. All that’s left is to pick from our jaw-dropping villas in the Italian Lakes.
Connecting the lakes themselves are some of Italy’s finest cities, including stylish Milan and romantic Verona. Saffron-infused risottos, fresh-from-the-net lake fish and cheese-topped polenta are the stars of menus everywhere from Michelin-starred eateries to humble trattorias. And the wine regions produce a wealth of crisp whites, hearty reds and a world-famous fizz. So, why visit the Italian Lakes? The real question is, why wouldn’t you?
Tourist season on the lakes runs from Easter to October, but these beauty spots make for lovely viewing all year long. If you can pick any month to go, make it June or September; when the weather is hot, the water is warming up and the crowds are small. September is also harvest time, making it a great month to hit the wineries.
Crowds peak in July and August when the cities and lake resorts are all seriously toasty. Italians living in the cities tend to take the majority of August as holiday, which can mean a number of restaurants and shops shut up shop for a few weeks. Visitor numbers drop off rapidly from November, and from then until March, the shores of the lakes become crowd-free, misty and snow-flecked.
From the museums of Milan to the theme parks of Lake Garda, every corner of the Italian Lakes has a fix of family-friendly activities. Kids are well catered for throughout the region, with children warmly welcomed in restaurants and cut-price tickets available for youngsters at a number of museums and city attractions. The alpine landscape of the region provides near-endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits, whether tackling hilly cycle paths, canyoning along mountain streams or standup paddle boarding on crystal-clear waters. And when energy levels are flagging, you’ll find you’re never far from a gelato shop.
For more kid-friendly holiday inspiration, read our blog post on the best family activities in the Italian Lakes.
Sparkling waters in shades of blue and green, idyllic waters-edge houses and charming lakeside villages – the Italian Lakes look good from any angle. There are, however, certain ways to elevate your experience from a simple day of sightseeing to a full-on bucket list adventure.
The Italian Lakes is a destination that specialises in water-themed days out. From taking a leisurely lake cruise to sailing your own boat, learning to kitesurf or canyoning on river rapids, the natural landscape is perfect for watery outdoor pursuits. But you don’t have to get wet if you don’t want to: hikes and bike rides through mountain valleys or countryside meadows are also yours for the taking. If you’d rather soak up the alpine scenery without breaking a sweat, you can tour the region by hire car or on the back of a motorbike, stopping off to picnic as you go. And if it’s the foodie appeal of the region that has you salivating for a holiday in the lakes, sign up for a tour of the olive oil farms or wineries scattered across the area, or simply schedule in plenty of long, leisurely lunches.
Get the full lowdown on the best group activities and attractions in the Italian Lakes.
From restaurants, that sparkle with Michelin stars to old-fashioned trattorias dishing up big hearty plates of pork or risotto, foodie offerings in the Italian Lakes covers all tastes. While there are variations to the region’s staple dishes in different areas, you’ll find some elements of lake cuisine – including polenta, lake fish and lashings of risotto – just about everywhere. Local cheeses, such as gorgonzola and mascarpone, are also worth seeking out, wherever you stay.
If a day of gelato eating leaves you too full for a leisurely multi-course Italian feast, you can dine out on a late-afternoon aperitif: a modern bar custom of serving a cold buffet with punters’ early evening glasses of wine or fizz. Speaking of the vino, the hills surrounding the lakes produce good local wines and some excellent internationally recognised labels, including Franciacorta.
For more mouth-watering inspiration, read our blog post on the best foodie experiences in the Italian Lakes.
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