Though they all boast a dramatic fusion of mountain and water, each of the Italian Lakes has its own character. Some are admired for their grandeur and wide-open vistas; others for their serene atmosphere and the air of tranquillity that pervades their shores.
Lake Maggiore stretches majestically into the Alps as it reaches across the border into Switzerland, while
Lake Garda is famous for its mild climate and arresting beauty. The sapphire-hued waters of
Lake Como are a magnet for celebrities, whereas the much smaller
Lake Iseo is a secret jewel, framed by wild and rugged scenery to the north, and gentler, vine-covered slopes to the south. Finally,
Lake Orta is known by locals as ‘Cinderella’, so unknown and charming are its shores and island.