The Italian Lakes in the foothills of the Alps are outstandingly beautiful and have been the playground of the rich and famous for centuries. Lake Garda’s scenery is fjord-like in the north with gently sloping vineyard covered hills in the south, and Lake Iseo enjoys a delightful Alpine setting surrounded by mountains.
Towering mountains descend to meet atmospheric shorelines in this Italian Lake District; aptly named because of the many literary connections to the romantic poets. The largest and most eastern of the Italian Lakes, Lake Garda, features fjord-like cliffs in the north, and gentle hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and lemon orchards in the south. Holidays to Lake Garda undoubtedly offers its visitors truly exceptional beauty.
It boasts a wonderful climate with mild summers and mellow winters, and due to its clear clean waters, is a particular favourite for swimming, windsurfing and sailing allowing something for everyone on Lake Garda holidays. Picturesque towns and lakeside villages can easily be discovered during lake cruises and scenic drives around this delightful area and, during the summer months, opera lovers will delight in a trip to Verona’s open air amphitheatre.
With charming towns and villages on both the eastern and western shore of the lake there are plenty of places to visit on holidays to Lake Garda. The sophisticated resort of Salò offers wonderful places to dine from bars, cafés and restaurants specialising in the regions local dishes. Whether you are enjoying a drink in a lakeside bar, ambling through the town or taking a refreshing swim, holidays in Lake Garda are perfect for those looking to relaxing and unwind in one of Italy’s most stunning landscapes.
Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo is 24km long and up to 5km wide, with the island of Monte Isola perched in the centre and the whole lakeside dotted with historical and cultural villages and towns including Iseo, Sarnico, Lovere, Pisogne and Marone, all boasting lovely promenades where visitors can relax with a cappuccino. A variety of watersports is available, fishing is popular with the locals, and there is a good selection of walking and cycling trails. To thesouth lies the Franciacorta Valley which produces some of the most famous sparkling wine in Italy and it is here, in the heart of the vineyards, that our featured hotel, L’Albereta, in Erbusco, is situated.
Cuisine
The area is renowned for delicate olive oil, lemons, and Bardolino, Soave and Valpolicella wines. Fish straight from the lake features high on the menu, and for dessert Italian ice cream is a must. Delightful al fresco cafés, bars and restaurants can be found in abundance on both the western and eastern shores of the lake. With such a variety of choices all boasting fantastic dishes, you can be assured that on your Lake Garda holidays you will always have the finest dining experience.