Move Over Lake Como! This Lesser-Known European Lake Straddles 2 Countries With Epic Views
Last Updated
The Italian Lakes are the right option to get pleasure from low-key Italian luxurious on the water, unimaginable views, and far milder temperatures than on the scorching Italian shoreline.
If you’re on the lookout for an Italian Lake break, then it’s probably that you just’ll make a beeline for Lake Como. Just like everybody else!
But I’m right here to inform you that that may not be the perfect thought.
Here’s why it’s time to forget the crowds and overrated glamor of Lake Como and discover a lesser-known, low key, and downright lovely Italian lake as an alternative.
I’m speaking about Lake Maggiore.
Move Over Lake Como? Why It Might Not Be The Best Choice
Lake Como is the most famous of the Italian Lakes, because of its excellent magnificence, abundance of historic points of interest, and celeb connections.
George Clooney famously lives in a mansion on the lake, and celeb {couples} corresponding to John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski mentioned ‘I do’ by the lake too.
But the place there are celebrities and a global fame, there are crowds. And boy is Lake Como crowded in the summertime!
Lake Como receives 1.4 million vacationers a 12 months and locals battle beneath the load of the customer numbers.
In April native authorities proposed introducing a Venice-style entry charge to fight this overtourism.
Measures that haven’t been launched but however which appear inevitable given the overwhelming crowds.
You gained’t expertise any of those issues on the lesser-known Lake Maggiore.
Enter Lake Maggiore: The Perfect Alternative To Lake Como
Lake Maggiore is breathtakingly lovely and is so large that it straddles two nations.
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy and the most important in southern Switzerland. It sits to the south of the Alps, that means you’ll enjoy epic mountainous views.
This additionally implies that Lake Maggiore is a comparatively cool spot to flee the unrelenting Italian summer season warmth.
Between June and August, temperatures round Lake Maggiore vary between 20°C – 30°C (68 F – 86 F), making it the perfect temperature for water actions corresponding to swimming and boating.
Of course, until you’re fortunate sufficient to be touring on a yacht, you may’t really keep on the lake itself.
So you’ll want to remain in one of many cities that fringe the lake as an alternative.
One of essentially the most picturesque and well-liked spots is the city of Stresa. This sits on the western, Italian facet of Lake Maggiore, within the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
Stresa boasts lovely church buildings, genuine Italian markets, and woodland walks with panoramic lake views. It is an unimaginable place to flee the hustle and bustle of the most well-liked Lake Como cities and villages.
Incredible Islands To Explore
One of the issues that makes Lake Maggiore so distinctive and a standout characteristic is its islands.
If you’re visiting Lake Maggiore then there are 3 foremost islands that it’s good to find out about. These are Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori.
Each island has its personal distinctive charms and every is price visiting, however for very totally different causes!
If you’re a historical past nerd like me, you then’ll wish to know that each one 3 of those islands have been traditionally owned by the Borromeo household.
They are considered one of Italy’s strongest noble dynasties, they usually have an interesting historical past in their very own proper.
If lovely gardens and luxurious verdant greenery is your thought of an excellent time then it’s good to go to Isola Madre which boasts a botanical backyard packed stuffed with tropical vegetation.
Isola Bella is the place the Borromeo household house is situated. This is a palatial constructing surrounded by usually Italian terraced grounds which vacationers can discover.
Baroque grottos, beautiful marble fountains, and free-roaming peacocks are a specific spotlight.
For an uncommon slice of Italian life, Isola dei Pescatori needs to be your choose. This island boasts a fishermen’s village, and though the neighborhood has solely 57 folks, it’s lively, vibrant, and authentically Italian.
Visiting the islands is extremely reasonably priced. You can take a Borromeo islands tour leaving from Pallanza for € 16,90 ($18.40) per grownup and € 8,50 ($9.30) for kids aged between 4-12.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No adverts, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail deal with to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.