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Lake Iseo

Italy's secret lake

This popular, indulgent and very gastronomic holiday combines three top-quality hotels – including two which are among the very best of our selection – 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 – the acclaimed sparkling whites, and the velvety reds – 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. With just two itinerant walks, you can take things as easy as you like – spend your three other days relaxing at the hotels or enjoying circular walks.

Nights: 6
Grade: 2
Terrain: lakeside paths, wooded hills, meadows, vineyards
Hotels: three 4-star hotels
Meals: breakfast each day, dinner on 4 nights, plus 2 picnics
Climate: the Italian lakes are renowned for their mild climate. Average temperatures range from 13°C in April and October to 24°C in August. In June and September the temperature averages 22°C and 20°C respectively.

Lake Iseo

Franciacorta vineyards

Boats cross the lake to Monte Isola

I Due Roccoli, near Iseo

Relais Mirabella, Clusane

Pleasant trails

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 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.

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)

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. (Lake view upgrade £10per person per night.)

Day 3: 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)

Accommodation: Relais I Due Roccoli, as above.

Day 4: from the Due Roccoli you ascend the densely wooded slopes high above the town of Iseo, passing several magnificent viewpoints that offer panoramas over the lake that stretch for miles. You then cross the marshlands of the Torbiere Nature Reserve, home to red herons, wild ducks and marsh hawks, where flowering water lilies provide spectacular displays between May and September. By the time you reach Clusane you are in the Franciacorta region. (15km, 5hrs)

Accommodation: Relais Mirabella (4*), Clusane. Located in a high clearing, the Relais Mirabella is yet another high-quality hotel with incomparable views over the lake and the surrounding mountains. Within the gardens are tennis courts and a swimming pool. You can take your pick of the hotel's two outstanding restaurants: the elegant Relais restaurant within the main complex or the country restaurant just a short stroll away.

Day 5: there are several options for your last day. One is simply to relax at the hotel and drink in the views. A second is to hire bikes and explore the vineyards, medieval fortified towers, grand villas and wineries on two wheels. Thirdly, we suggest a walk that leads into the wooded hills to the south of the hotel then descends gradually to the sleepy village of Colombaro where you could pause at the wine estate to sample its wines before returning to Clusane. (8km, 3hrs)

Accommodation: Relais Mirabella, as above.

Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.

Recommendations for extra nights: with their swimming pools and extensive gardens, not to mention their excellent restaurants, the Relais I Due Roccoli (Iseo) and Relais Mirabella (Clusane) make good choices for a day of relaxation and good food.

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

Similar holidays: To the Pont du Gard (grade 1-2), Waterways & Flowers (grade 2), Amalfi Coast & Villages (grade 2), The High Dolomites (grades 2 & 3), The Leutasch Valley (grade 2)

Prices & travel 2008:

Recommended destination airports: Bergamo, Brescia & Milan Linate
Latest flight arrival time: Bergamo & Brescia flexible; Milan 1700
Earliest flight departure time: Bergamo & Brescia flexible; Milan 1300
*Connecting travel: return rail/taxi from Milan Linate (out 1h30/home 1h45) £58pp;
return taxi from Brescia or Bergamo (both out/home 0h50) £62pp
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
Start: any day
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