The Italian Lakes By Imogen Frank & Calum Murray

Info. Type of holiday: Scenic Climate: The Italian lakes enjoy mild winters and warm, sunny summers. Currency: Euro

The Italian Lakes The most famous lakes in Italy are in what is sometimes called the Italian Lake District, in the north of the country not far from the Alps.

The Italian Lakes cont. Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are particularly famous and have been popular for centuries with English, American, German and other international tourists. Several firms organise package holidays to the Italian lakes, but in these days of budget flights you may well benefit from saving money and exercising more hotel choice if you book your own holiday.

Lake Garda The beautiful lakeside towns around Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) have charmed foreign visitors for centuries. Even for the ancient Romans, the area was a luxury summer destination; in Sirmione and Desenzano you can visit ruins and mosaics that record their presence. Lake Garda is located in the north-east of Italy, dividing the regions of Lombardy, the Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige

Lake Garda cont. The large lake is long and slim, stretching from north to south. The southern lakeshore is low, rolling land and fairly built-up. In contrast, the dramatic fjord-like northern end is surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs. Most of the lakeside towns are popular as holiday resorts; they differ in character but all are well-connected by boat services

Lake Como Lake Como (Lago di Como) is one of the famous Italian Lakes destinations, not far from Milan in the north of Italy. Lake Como is long (50km), slender and extremely deep. The southern end forks into two long 'legs', with the picturesque town of Bellagio situated on the promontory between them.

Lake Como cont. Like the other Italian Lakes, Lake Como has been popular as a resort since the days of the Roman Empire. Visitors ever since have admired the blue waters and relaxed in luxurious villas in the wooded lakeside slopes above. Today, most of the towns around the shores of Lake Como are popular with tourists, walkers, cyclists and swimmers.

Lake Maggiore Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore), Italy's second-largest lake, divides the regions of Piemonte and Lombardy. The lake's northern end, in the Alps, stretches into Switzerland, where Locarno is a popular lakeside destination. Like the other northern Italian lakes, Lake Maggiore's credentials as a tourist destination go back a long way.

Lake Maggiore cont. The most popular Lake Maggiore resorts are on the western shores of the lake. Stresa is a lovely town with beautiful villas and gardens (some open to the public), a good climate and lake views.