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Lake Iseo - Jewel of Lombardy
Nights: 4
Day 1: for your day at Sale Marasino we recommend that you take the ferry (pay locally) across Lake Iseo to Mediterranean-feeling Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe. Here, a path leads through pretty fishing villages before ascending to the sanctuary on the summit of the island (600 metres above sea level), from where you return to the harbour along a beautiful ancient path. In clear weather, the views are excellent – you can see some of the northerly Alpine ranges – and there is a 360-degree panorama from the sanctuary. For a longer walk, choose our second route, which, unlike the first, heads in a clockwise direction round the island and ascends via a Renaissance castle to the summit. (10km, 3.5hrs or 15km, 5hrs) Accommodation: Villa Kinzica, as above.
Accommodation: Relais I Due Roccoli (4*), near Iseo. Set in extensive grounds overlooking the south-east corner of Lake Iseo and the surrounding vineyards, the hotel offers comfortable bedrooms, an outdoor pool, panoramic terrace and tennis court. However, the focal point is the locally renowned restaurant, where the superb cuisine often features delicious fish from the lake.
Accommodation: Relais I Due Roccoli, as above.
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| £ per person based on 2 in a double rm |
Walk price* |
Single room |
| 4 nights: 5 April-30 June & 1 September-24 October 2008 | ||
| 5-18 Apr | 435 | 125 |
| 19 Apr-23 May | 453 | 125 |
| 24 May-30 Jun | 477 | 130 |
| 1-30 Sep | 477 | 130 |
| 1-24 Oct | 453 | 125 |
| 3rd+ person saving | 50 | |
Add £4 or £10 per person per night to upgrade to a lake view room at Villa Kinzica or I Due Roccoli, respectively
Start: any day
*Price includes: 4 nights' bed & breakfast, 2 dinners, plus 2 picnics; return taxi from Bergamo or Brescia airport (both out/home 0h50)
Recommended airports: Bergamo & Brescia
Latest flight arrival time: flexible
Earliest flight departure time: flexible
Book your flights through us and we’ll find the best route, times and price to suit you
> Notes on prices
> Personal holiday insurance
> Any queries? Let us call you back
This indulgent and very gastronomic break combines two high-quality hotels for a marvellous exploration
of an area that is little-known beyond northern Italy and feels all the more special as a result. Set between the better-known
lakes of Como and Garda, Iseo is the smallest of Lombardy's four major
lakes, but is a true jewel, with imposing, angular mountains and deep gorges to the north and the delightful Franciacorta vineyards in the hills to the
south. Grapes were first planted here in Roman times but the wines remain as great a secret as the region itself, serving as the perfect accompaniment
to the refined cuisine of lake fish, delicious meats and distinctive local
cheeses. 
Starting point: Villa Kinzica (4*), Sale Marasino. This elegant
hotel stands in its own grounds overlooking Lake Iseo. Bedrooms are spacious (we include the quieter rooms at the rear),
and there is a bar, lounge and reading room. Although your stay is on
a bed and breakfast basis, we reserve a table at an excellent restaurant
by the lake for your first night (pay locally).
Day 2: this is a varied, very rewarding day's walk that takes you over tranquil,
unspoiled hills, crossing meadows and grassy plains full of flowers and
leading through olive groves and chestnut and oak woods. Natural terraces
provide a panoramic balcony over the lake and surrounding mountains. You can shorten the walk by 5km by taking a taxi (pay locally) at the start if you wish. (15km,
5.5hrs)
Day 3: if you can tear yourselves away from I Due Roccoli, our suggested circular route follows
pleasant woodland
trails to reach the edge of the Franciacorta vineyards. The return leg
takes you through more attractive woodland along a path that follows a
torrent upstream past several small waterfalls. (11km, 4hrs)