View accommodation

The Italian regions of Lombardy, Piemonte and the Veneto are known collectively as the lakes. With daily flights to Brescia, Bergamo, Verona, Milan and Venice they are easy to get to and becoming more popular every year.

Lake Como is the deepest lake in Europe and is characterised by a vivid, rugged beauty with soaring snow covered mountain peaks, steep hillsides and very pleasant resorts of rustic, stone built houses on its northern shores and a profusion of villas surrounded by verdant, exotic gardens. Como is a holiday Mecca for countless celebrities who have built their stunning villas along its shores; including the one used in the final scene of Casino Royale and in Star Wars II Attack of the Clones.

Lake Garda, is the largest in Italy and was much loved by Virgil, Catullus and Goethe. The town of Desenzano is the largest and liveliest in the south of Lake Garda; its central picturesque piazza is situated on a cobbled pedestrian walk that winds its way around the contour of the lake, providing a wonderful opportunity to experience the daily passeggiata and inspiring views up the lake. If you want an activity based holiday then Garda with its riding schools, tennis courts, yacht clubs and numerous other hobbies is the best of the lakes. The historic old town of Salo, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a dense network of streets, alleys and small squares lined with elegant homes, shops, restaurants and bars; is one of our favourite ports of call.

Lake Maggiore is one of the largest of the Italian Lakes, its northern shores stretch well into Switzerland. It has in fact been a much sought after holiday playground for years and its shores are popular with the arty set. Unique to Maggiore are three small islands just off the shore at Stresa, jump on a boat and visit them for a photo opportunity like no other. For a panoramic view of the lake and mountains, take the cable car up to the 1491m Mount Mottarone. On the eastern side, from Lavena Mombello a cable-car will take you to the summit of the Sasso del Ferrro mountain, so high that the entire region is spread out before you - a great way to start and plan your exploration of these lakes or maybe just save the best for last.

Lake Iseo and Lake Orta are often overlooked but are a shoppers paradise. We recommend the pyramids at Iseo and the 376 terracotta statues at Orta.

Accommodation in Lakes

View all properties Go to description