italy's lake district -italy's getaway!

​Italy is an incredibly popular tourist destination with the main focus on Tuscany, Rome and Venice.  To be sure, each are very beautiful and worth visiting, but don't forget that there is much more to Italy than the above locations.
 
One such area is the Lakes District in Northern Italy.  When my now son-in-law Marian, and my daughter Kara were dating, Kara went to school in Florence for a summer session.  Marian visited her and they went to Lake Garda in the Lakes District.  I remember thinking that it was not only beautiful, but very romantic!  Love is indeed grand.
 
They've been since returned and love the ambiance of the region.  While there is a lot to do, it's less about checking off the sights and more about soaking in the gorgeous scenery.   They loved being out in a boat in a lake surrounded by the Italian Alps.  Marian and Kara strolled through the early morning farmer markets and enjoyed White Night.  White Night happens once a week during  high season and is when the local restaurants set up all of their tables outdoors and various bands rotate through the restaurants to play their music.  Additionally, Verona was only a half hour away and was a nice diversion.
 
If you're looking for a relaxing break during your Italy trip or a longer stay, the Lakes District provides it!
 
- Cindy -

destination of the week
italian lakes district

The lakes of northern Italy are a magical place to visit. Set against the foothills of the alps, they offer dramatic scenery and a respite from summer's intense heat. Here you will find the top five lakes, with Lake Como as the most popular lake for visitors, especially Americans. Lake Garda is popular with Germans and other Europeans, and Italians are likely to head for Lake Orta for an escape. One of the largest and most popular is Lake Maggiore, while Lake Iseo is somewhat of a hidden gem. 
 
Lake Como, or Lago di Como in Italian, is Italy's most famous lake.  A half hour north of Milan, Lake Como is known for its lavish villas and can get packed with visiting Milanese on weekends. A drive around the lake is mandatory if you have a car.  Bellagio is known as la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake) and is considered by many to be the most beautiful and romantic town on Lake Como, if not in Italy.
 
Lake Maggiore, a long and narrow lake is one of the most visited in Italy's lake district. It is north of Milan, and the most northern end extends into Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is home to three picturesque islands called the Borromeo Islands, which can be reached by ferry from the town of Stresa.  The gorgeous setting in the Alps is ideal to explore the parks, including botanical and zoological gardens, as well as take the cable car up Mottarone Mountain for 360-degree views.
 
Lake Orta lies to the west of the better known and more often visited Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. This small lake is a favorite with Italians and has several charming places to go. Lake Orta has always been a haven for poets and other creative people—Nietzsche spent the years 1883 to 1885 in retreat at Lake d'Orta to write Thus Spoke Zarathustra. 
 
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy (an almost 100-mile loop around), is located between Venice and Milan and is considered to be "one of the biggest activity playgrounds in Europe." The climate around Garda Lake supports both Alpine and Mediterranean environments and getting close to nature is part of the Garda experience—there are many parks around the lake, as well as the Botanic Garden found on Mount Baldo, at a height of nearly 4,000 feet, accessible from the town of Malcesine.
 
Although tourists are welcome, Lake Iseo is not often listed in the Italy Lake District brochures. You may find this surprising since the scenery is worth the trip, with lush green mountains surrounding a crystal clear lake. Combine this with the lack of crowds, and it is even more appealing. 
 
 
https://www.tripsavvy.com/italy-lake-region-maps-4086367

travel tip of the week
take the slow route!

​The slow drive between Lake Maggiore and Lake Como via Lake Lugano takes longer than the highway and requires using car ferries, but it travels through gorgeous valleys and market towns and past chocolate factories and other fun diversions. Most people take the fast route and miss it all.

​virtual vacation of the week

​Start exploring the Italian Lakes with Lonely Planet’s video guide to getting around, when to go and the top things to do while you're there. 
Video by Lonely Planet and found on YouTube

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