Lombardy glamour: Route through Italy lakes

Aristocrats, Hollywood stars, composers, famous writers and millionaires; since the time of ancient Rome, when nobles chose its shores to build their opulent summer villas, Lake Como has made everyone surrender to it. 

It is, along with the Maggiore, the best known of Lombardy’s lakes, but the Italian region hides many others whose beauty is spectacular. Although they can be visited by public transport, the most attractive option is undoubtedly to embark on a route by car to discover them freely and with total flexibility. 

Italy at its most natural

With some of the deepest waters on the continent and the Alps as a backdrop, Como is littered with villages and mansions that have appeared on the big screen, such as Villa del Balbianello, in the small town of Lenno, which was the idyllic retreat of Princess Padmé and Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars. Attack of the Clones, as well as the elegant resort where James Bond recuperated in Casino Royale. Lake Como was also the location for George Clooney’s Ocean’s Twelve, and the actor was so fascinated by the place that he bought a spectacular villa and became one of its most illustrious neighbours.  

One of the must-see lakeside towns is beautiful Bellagio, with pastel-coloured houses, gardens everywhere and steep lanes lined with glamorous boutiques and luxurious restaurants. Its biggest rivals in terms of elegance are Tremezzo and Varenna; in the former, don’t miss a stroll through the spectacular botanical gardens of Villa Carlota, part of the Great Italian Gardens circuit, while the latter fascinates with its picturesque fishermen’s cottages.

Across a drawbridge

Over Lake Garda, Italy’s largest and one of its most popular lakes, a small peninsula is home to charming Sirmione, reached by a drawbridge leading to the gate of the medieval castle of Sclaigero. With its ever-vibrant streets, its little stone houses with flowery balconies, its famous thermal centre and the Roman caves of Catullus, it has become a top tourist destination. 

For those who are more active, the largest of Italy’s lakes has a wide range of water sports on offer, as does Lake Maggiore, which Lombardy shares with Switzerland and the Piedmont region. The latter is home to the lake’s main attraction, the exquisite Borromean Islands, which can be visited with a combined pass and where you can admire the baroque and rococo palaces and English-style gardens with more than 2,000 varieties of exotic plants.
 

The fascinating solitude of Monte Isola

Lake Iseo is much less well known and more affordable, shrouded in mystery and with sites such as a neo-Gothic castle on the tiny islet of Loreto. Just a short ferry ride from the shores of the lake will take us to the secluded island of Monte Isola, which is just three kilometres long and has a population of 2,000.   

Peschiera Maraglio, an ancient village of fishermen and artisans, welcomes the traveller to this island where there are no cars: only the doctor, the mayor and the priest have their own; the rest of us have to go by small bus or motorbike. The best plan is to discover it on foot or by bicycle along a circular route that is suitable for all levels of fitness and, if you wish, to stay in one of the island’s charming establishments.   

If travelling with the family, a good choice is Endine Lake, which has bathing areas, barbecue and picnic tables. It is surrounded by green hills where it is possible to go hiking, paragliding or mountain biking to round off a perfect getaway.