Italian Lakes Holidays
Italian Lakes agritourismos, apartments, cottages, hotels, villas and village houses
Island
Why Holiday in Italian Lakes?
The Italian Lakes in the foothills of the Alps are outstandingly beautiful and have been the playground of the rich and famous for centuries.
owns around Lakes Garda and Como have been a destination for holidays since the times when the ancient patrician Romans used to come here for their relaxation. Elite international travellers and writers toured them during the triumph of the “villa civilization” of the 18th and 19th centuries.
There are many fine villas, apartments and houses s with beautiful gardens in this part of Italy. Walking, cycling, swimming, sailing, and relaxing (!) are the most practised activities.
The climate is mild: the lakes act as huge solar panels while the mountains around store the heat and the wind keeps the air fresh. This makes the vegetation luxuriant: the most common plants here are lemon and olive trees, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and other subtropical plants.
These places are very suitable for relaxing holidays from the beginning of March to the end of October
Lake Como is one of the deepest lakes in Europe (400 meters deep). Shaped like an upside-down “Y”, is located in the Italian Lombardy region.
The northern branch begins at the town of Colico, while Lecco (a bigger industrialized town) is located on the south-eastern branch. The smaller towns of Bellagio, Menaggio, Tramezzo, Cadenabbia and Varenna are situated in the middle, and are the most popular resorts of the Lake.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, located between Venice and Milan, is an alpine region, accessible easily from the north via the Brenner pass. There are many holiday resorts like Sirmione, Desenzano, Riva, Gardone Riviera, and Malcesine.
If travelling with children, you will enjoy daytrips to Gardaland, an amusement park located between Bardolino and Peschiera.
Direct flights are available to Milan (all airports) and Bergamo.
Vivid Italy is your perfect choice for a holiday in the Italian Lakes. In the Italian Lakes we have villas, apartments and hotels ideal for your holiday.
Top of page
Resorts
Bellagio, Como
More infoWith a jumble of streets, restaurants and shops, this lively town on Lake Como has appeal for all. We recommend boat and bike tours to see the town from all angles.
Bergamo
More infoBergamo situated only 43km (27 miles) from Milan, the walled hilltop town of Bergamo is an enchanting place with a wealth of medieval, Renaissance and baroque architecture. Visitors should avoid the lower town (Bergamo Bassa) and head for the Piazza Vecchia in the heart of the upper town (Bergamo Alta), with the Palazzo della Ragione, restaurants, shops and the Torre della Civica
Como
More infoLake Como is more tranquil and wooded than Lake Garda, although here too, you can head easily for more rugged terrain. The lake is a reminder of bygone holiday elegance, with a steamer cruising between resort towns and stately gardens open to the public.
Garda
More infoLake Garda, Italy's biggest lake, is long and slim with a southern shore of low, rolling hills, and a contrasting northern end which is surrounded by towering mountains.
Laglio, Como
More infoLaglio is a small municipality at the south western end of the Lake Como. For many, Laglio was put on the map in 2002, when the actor George Clooney settled down there.
Milan
More infoMilan's designer clothes and furnishings are a major attraction for many fashion-conscious tourists, but not all Milan's pleasures are expensive. Sitting outside a cafe by the fantastic Duomo and admiring the well-dressed world go by, or indulging in a spot of window-shopping is enjoyable and rather more affordable. In Milan's museums and galleries are some great works of art, while more simple pleasures include climbing up to the Duomo's roof and enjoying the tranquillity and the view over the city to the mountains. The Brera and the Navigli (canal) districts are both appealing for evening strolls
Ossuccio, Como
More infoThe pre-Roman origins of this village are confirmed by votive altar from the second century A.D. that belonged to the people called the "Ausuciates", who gave the village their name. In the area, there was a reflourishing of churches, such as the Romanesque Church of San Giacomo in spurano or that of Santa Maria Maddalena in the hamlet of Ospedaletto. At the foot of the mountain, which rises above the village, there is the Santuario of Beata Vergine del Soccorso (Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Rescue).
Varenna, Como
More infoVarenna is built upon a rock at the foot of a mountain which rises almost vertically above it, leaving the skeleton of a ruined ancient castle exposed to the sky.
Verbania, Novara
More infoVerbania bills itslef as "A garden on the lake": this is the image of itself with which Verbania, welcomes visitors. Gardens and parks are a major attraction, an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing holiday with, as backdrop, the breathtaking beauty of Lake Maggiore.
Viggiu, Varese
More infoThought to have been founded by Julius Caesar, Viggiu is now famous for it's churches and the group of local artists who are known for their skill with stone carving.
Top of page
Holidays To Italian Lakes
How To Get There
There are several direct flights from the UK to airports in Milan.
From Leeds Bradford you can fly to Milan Bergamo with Jet2. You can also fly from Manchester with Ryanair.
From Milan Linate you can fly from Gatwick with Easyjet, and from Heathrow with British Airways and Alitalia.
Easyjet flights from Bristol, Edinburgh and Gatwick, and British Airways flights from Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester go to Milan Malpensa.
You can fly from Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Manchester, Stansted, East Midlands, Newcastle, Bristol and Luton to Milan Orso Al Serio with Ryanair.
Top of page
The Insider
Regional Food
Local specilaities include Minestra di frittata (pancake soup) and Zuppa pavese (a clear soup with egg and bread). Agnolotti e ravioli is stuffed with truffles or spinach and is highly recommended. Elsewhere, fresh fish is a feature of most menus.
Top of page
