Stretching from Orta in the West to Garda Northeast of Venice. each Lago large and small, enjoys both a unique personality and different levels of activities. As we are not lovers of “Tour Bus Destinations” you need to know that we ourselves prefer Orta.  For families with children and older teenagers, parts of Lake Garda are full of sports, amusement parks, climbs and water activities.

Lago d' Orto	Orto - Palazzoto detail

In these “Highlights” we have omitted the industrial lakes such as Varese where pollution rules and industry flourishes. Rich they are but nothing worth a journey except that there are fine hiking opportunities north of Varese.

For those who wish to spend a few days in Switzerland, a trip south might well include the route below.

Highlights of each “Lago” for your consideration

• As you approach from Switzerland Lake Maggiore brings the first taste of green sub-tropical vegetation and palms. Lots of hide-away camping and isolated resorts as well as a very nice “non tour bus town”, Cannobio. We avoid Stressa except in August for the great music festival and a great place to rent Mountain bikes. As a base for visiting the three islands in the lake it is fine but Isole Borromee, Pescatoriu and Madre can be reach by Ferry from almost the entire lake.

We drove to Lake Mergozzo and took a lovely hike and drive up to Monte Camoscio from the town of Braveno and also Pallanza which enjoys not only the best climate but also the prestigious gardens at Villa Tarantom open from April to October from 8:30am to a last admission at 6:30pm

• Lake Orta greets you with its beautiful blue waters at Orta San Guilio and if you can arrive mid-week or in spring/fall there are seldom huge crowds. A lovely lady owns not only the two best modest price hotels but has added flats and apartments along the lake. There is also a deluxe Palace for those who would like to stay in the lap of luxury. Why the former owners built a Moorish Palace is a mystery for you to solve.

Every 15 minutes you can take the boat to Isola San Guilio - a monastery, seminary and 12^th century Basilia await you in this tiny island-village.

• Lago di Como - just avoid Como itself and consider vacationing at Argegno, a lovely village with ancient houses and steep steps up ancient alleyways. Peaceful cafes, ferries to the rather wild Isola Comacina with its small artist colony.

Further north along the shores the Tremezzina area with the villages of Lenno, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Cardano all have good hiking trails and most have maps and trails in English at the Tourist Office.

Other cities to consider as a base—BERGAMO, fifty miles north of Milano at 1200 feet above the plains of Lombardy is a fresh air respite from Milan and a really Ventian town rather than one attached to urban Milano. Don’t miss the ring of iron gates that prevented anyone from taking the city until the French in 1796.

• Closer to Venice the largest and indeed cleanest of the Lakes with the most sports for the active including wind-surfing, Lake Garda offers three climate variations, three different wind directions and a sheltered stretch that grows olives, grapes and citrus fruits.

On the busy Venice to Milano highway the nearest town worth mention is Sirimone -, which we recommend from May to early June and in September and early October. The tourists from all over Europe descend through July and August, but don’t miss at least viewing the sights here. Tons of activities for families with children abound.

The 2 million a year who visit Garaland at Catelnuovo del Garda enjoy Italy’s great amusement park- it is expensive but kids love it!

If you are camping the western shore, the Rose Wines from Puegnago Del Garda may beacon while others prefer Gardona Riviera with its Bontanical Gardens and the grounds of the Villa Il Vittoriale. Also from here one can reach by bus the wonderful hiking trails out of the Alpine Village of  San Michele.

At the northern end of the Lake there is both a youth hostel and many deluxe resorts at Riva del Garda but often our clients prefer Malcensine and Torri del Benaco. The younger set often enjoys Trobole for the water sports and single scene. There is also a Lido and beach at Torri del Benaco along with reasonable hotels and an old center town worth a visit.

Garda (the town) is a resort popular with Italians as well as foreigners from every continent. A good town in which to walk it includes a 17h century hermitage that is again populated by monks after years of decline and abandonment.  Both in Garda and Como food outside the center of town is far better than in the tourist center.

Bardolino and Lazise illustrate two towns that one may enjoy, but in July and August seem more like Resorts reserved for Germans and English. Both are worth a visit if not a short stay the rest of the year.

Enjoy your Italian journey by having YOUR FRENCH CONNEXION plan your dream trip to Northern Italy Email Us or call 206 363 6575 for more information.

Milan    Venice    Verona    Padua    Tergeste    Trieste  
Val d'Aosta    The Lakes

Also check out: The Northeast & Central Italy - Milan, Venice, Verona, Padua, and more

Northwest Italy - Turin, Susa, Val d'Aosta, Olympic Valley, Monferrato

Lakes of Northern Italy - Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Orta and more

Southern Italy - Naples, Pompeii, Sorento,
Capri, Amalfi Coast

Italy from a client's perspective
The Good, The Bad, and the Fabulous

Rome for Kids

Read about the Fischer's trip to Italy