Lombardy- The Lake District

The most striking characteristic of Lombardy is its abundance in gorgeous, naturally-formed lake districts. Being in the northern highlands of Italy, the lakes of Lombardy are all of glacial origin, meaning that the melting of ice glaciers helped form the […]

The most striking characteristic of Lombardy is its abundance in gorgeous, naturally-formed lake districts. Being in the northern highlands of Italy, the lakes of Lombardy are all of glacial origin, meaning that the melting of ice glaciers helped form the lakes – creating large bodies of water that for years, attracted settlers from all over Italy to seek commune next to these splendid lakes. Now, thousands of tourists travel to Italy every year to retreat, relax and enjoy all the culture, activities and beauty the lakes have to offer.

Lake Como 

Known as Lago di Como – is a lake located in Western Lombardy. It is famed for being a retreat for the famous and wealthy ever since the Roman times; with luxurious villas spread across the lake, it makes the perfect scenic getaway. Some gorgeous villas that you can visit are Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello & Villa Pliniana which are extremely beautiful, with botanical gardens, exhibitions and events open throughout the year – they are perfect places to get that Instagram pic.  Lake Como is 40 km north of Milan and has relatively quite mild throughout the year.   There are several picture perfect villages and small towns that surround the lake – each with their own personality and beauty – Popular among them are Bellagio, Varenna, Nesso and Menaggio (in total there are about 9), – all being adorned by magnificent wisterias, camellias, and bougainvillea flowers.

Lake Maggiore

 In Western Lombard, sits the Lake Maggiore, the second largest lake in Italy in between the region of Piedmont, Lombardy and the Swiss Canton of Ticino.  The lake is surrounded by beautiful and rare Mediterranean flora, along with gorgeous islands with magnificent historical buildings. Lake Maggiore is one of the most peaceful lakes compared to the others – the influx of tourists is relatively less which allows you to explore the area without jostled around.   The towns around Lake Maggiore are multi-coloured, with marvellous lakefront promenades. Due to its close proximity to the Swiss border, one can easily travel from Italy to Switzerland – the Lake Maggiore area even accepts Swiss Francs and Euro. Some notable places you should not miss are the Borromean Islands, Villas like Villa Taranto and the Tones on the Stones exhibit.  The food in the surrounding towns offer delicious cuisine made from fresh local produce and wines of the region , that one would surely relish.

Lake Garda

The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda, is a popular holiday destination with many famous artists and poets having taken refuge here in summers.  The lake is located between Brescia and Verona – and within the regions of Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto. The formation of this lake is special as the glaciers that created this lake were from the last ice age. In Lake Garda you can find an abundance of olive trees, lemon trees, orange trees, Vineyards and truffles – Not only is the view breathtaking, but so is the food.  Take a tour of the villages and explore their rich historical monuments, Veronese and Venetian castles and towering fortresses. They provide a glimpse of its rich past.  Some of the places  which are not be missed are the Sirmione Castle, Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione and Isola del Garda.  One can also indulge in windsurfing, sail boating, diving, and canoeing!  One of the best things that one can do in Lake Garda is to take a ferry and jump onto the different islands and villages surrounding the lake as they are all mesmerising each with its own character & personality.

 

Lake Iseo

This is the least known of the big four lakes in Northern Italy – it is often underestimated as it offers such stunning views and great activities for a holiday by a lake in Italy.  Lake Iseo is the perfect destination when you want lesser tourists and want to experience an ‘Off the beaten’ track holiday where you can enjoy the crystal clear lake, lush green mountains and the small towns without the large crowds.  In Lake Iseo you can find Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe where cars aren’t allowed, making it the best place to go if you are a fan of exploring on foot. Travelling to Lake Iseo will guarantee you a peaceful and relaxing holiday away from the masses. Here, You are sure to have a relaxing holiday where you can hike, ski, enjoy fresh fish from the lake and use the ferry to travel to different villages – for instance – villages like Pisogne have amazing historical buildings definitely  worth visiting. Lake Iseo is certainly a hidden gem out of all the Northern Italy lakes, you can visit places like Antica Srada Valeriana where one can catch panoramic scenery of the lake, Sala Marasino – one of the most finest Renaissance mansions and Pieve di Sant’Andrea – a charming and historic church.

For details & to plan your holiday to the Dolomites in Italy, please drop in a mail at naresh@bespokeserenity.com or call +91 9873 797960. It would be our pleasure to assist in creating this memorable trip for you, our valued client. 

Our Recommended Partner Hotels In The Italian Lake Districts