Italian Lakes
Why go?
An hour’s drive from Verona, the glistening waters of the
Italian Lakes have been enticing sun-needy northerners since
Victorian times. Bordered by olives groves, orchards, vineyards and
snow-capped mountains, the lakes benefit from a microclimate that
in summer reproduces the climate of the Bay of Naples. No wonder
writers D H Lawrence, Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene found
inspiration here. Citrus trees glisten, ducks bob and the summer
boats ply the tourists to and fro.
Best perhaps to explore the lakes by boat, on an organized
excursion or on one of the frequent ferries that hop from one
lakeshore harbour to another. Blessed with that climate, the Lakes
are awash with estates with spectacular gardens, including one of
the most enchanting in all Italy, that of the Villa Balbaniello on
Como, which can be reached only by boat. The Lakes are famed for
their immaculate little towns, too. Less well known are the
sporting pursuits on offer, so head for the hinterland. There's
wonderful walking in the Dell Alto Garda National Park, and, in the
Val di Concei, mountain biking, trekking, canyoning, climbing and
paragliding. In winter you can even cross-country ski.
Any Downsides?
One word of advice: if you're in search of summer sun, go in May, early June or September. At the height of the season a drive around any of the big three - Maggiore, Como and Garda - can turn into one long jam: an ordeal that can take the best part of a day.