The Italian Lake District stretches across Northern Italy. The southern ends of most of the lakes are relatively flat (a continuation of the River Po Plain), but the northern ends are mountainous as the lakes reach deep into the Alps. Popular with Northern Europeans and Italians alike for over 100 years, the Italian Lakes combine good weather with attractive scenery. The climate is mild in both summer and winter, producing Mediterranean vegetation, with beautiful gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Well-known gardens include those of the Isola Madre, Isola Bella and the Isole di Brissago, that of the Villa Taranto in Verbania, and the Alpinia botanical garden above Stresa. Lake Maggiore is the longest lake of the Italian Lakes measuring 65 km. long and has a surface area of 215 sq. km. It is about 25 km. in width on average, although twice as wide near Luino.The Borromean Bay between Stresa and Verbania, is blessed with three islands known as the Borromean Islands. These islands are not to be missed on a visit to Lake Maggiore. Isoal Bella is known for its baroque palace and gardens, Isola Pescatori for it's fishing character with it's typical lake boats and the scenic Isola Madre is known for its gardens.The lake’s jagged banks are surrounded by the Prealps of Piedmont and Lombardy. The western bank is in Piedmont (provinces of Novara and Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola) and the eastern in Lombardy (province of Varese), whereas the most northerly section extends thirteen kilometres into Switzerland, where it constitutes the lowest point above sea-level in that entire country.

Regions

• Lake Maggiore
• Lake Como
• Lake Garda
• Lake Lugano
• Lake Iseo
• Lake Orta
• Lake Varese
• Lake of Monate
• Lombardy

Cities

The main points of access to the regions are: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia and Verona.

Other destinations

Switzerland Piedmont Lombardy Ranzo Gerra San Nazzaro Vira Magadino Tenero Locarno Ascona Ronco sopra Ascona Brissago Minusio Cannobio Cannero Riviera Oggebbio Ghiffa Verbania Baveno Stresa Belgirate Lesa Meina Arona Dormelletto Castelletto sopra Ticino Sesto Calende Angera Ranco Ispra Brebbia Besozzo Monvalle Leggiuno Laveno-Mombello Castelveccana Porto Valtravaglia Brezzo di Bedero Germignaga Luino Maccagno Tronzano Lago Maggiore Pino sulla Sponda del Lago Maggiore

Culture and History

Talk

Travel to Italian Lake District - Visa Requirements

Ferry service is available out to the islands from Stresa, Lake Maggiore's resort town, every day during the summer. After picking passengers up at the dock, the ferries first make stops at Isolas Bella and Pescatori, the two closest islands. Here visitors are free to roam for 1-2 hours depending on the boat's schedule. After visiting these two islands, passengers are then taken to the third island, Isola Madre, which is located more towards the center of the Lake. Visitors are given a couple of additional hours to see this island.

Tours and Getting around Italian Lake District

The most interesting way to get around each of the lakes is by boat or hydrofoil.[1] Varenna, Bellagio, Cadenabio, and Menaggio are the only towns car ferries travel to. [2]

Italian Lake District tourist attractions and sightseeing

• Borromeo Palace, Botanic Garden, Stresa, ☎ Tel. 0323/30556. A Beautiful Uproar of Gardens spurced throughtout the Island Of Isola del Borromeo. 
• Rosmini Museum, Villa Ducale, ☎ 0323/30091.  
• Tastevin Piazza Cadorna, Stresa, ☎ 0323-31467. Wine Shop 
• La Cambusa Via Cavour, ☎ 0323-31938, [3]. Wine Shop 

Italian Lake District city tours

Winter Skiing - Lake Maggiore is known for it's wonderful skiing facility on the Swiss Alps, People come from all over the world to ski here. In 2006, the Torino Winter Olympics were held here.

Summer Many Types of activities offered on the water's of Lake Maggiore are - Swimming - Swim on Lake Maggiore with the beautiful sencery surrounding you as you paddle. Enjoy the lucious mountains and beutiful - Sailing - Windsurfing - Water Skiing

Activities Offered out of water in The Italian Lake Districts are: - Handgliding - Mountain biking - Hiking - Para Sailing - Horseback Riding - Cycling

Festivals Locarno International Film Festival - The festival showcases the newest films from Europe's best directors and attracts star-studded audiences from as far away as Hollywood and New York. In addition to full-length films, the festival also shows short films and documentaries. San Vito Feast Day in August The Spirit of Woodstock Festival is an annual open air festival at the end of July/beginning of August at Mirapuri.

Italian Lake District Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• Hotel Ristorante Fiorentino, Bolongaro 9-11, ☎ 0323-30-254, [4]. Mar-Oct daily 11am-3pm and 6-10pm. Italian Cuisine; Primi 6€-8€ ($7.80-$10); secondi 7€-13€ ($9.10-$17).  
• Taverna del Pappagallo, Principessa Margherita 46, ☎ 0323-30-411, [5]. Italian Cuisine/ PizzeriaPrimi and pizza 4€-11€ ($5.20-$14); secondi 8€-12€ ($10-$16).  
• Verbano, Isola Superiore dei Pescatori, Around Town, ☎ 0323-32-534, [6]. Daily noon-2:30pm and 7-10pm. italian CuisinePrimi 5€-10€ ($6.50-$13); secondi 10€-21€ ($13-$27).  
• Osteria degli Amici, A. M. Bolongaro 33, ☎ 0323-30-453, [7]. Thurs-Tues noon-2:30pm and 7pm-midnight. Italian Cuisine/ PizzeriaPrimi 5€-8€ ($6.50-$10); secondi 8.50€-14€ ($11-$18); pizza 4€-10€ ($5.20-$13).  
• Il Castello, Laveno-Mombello(Via Zara, Laveno-Mombello 21014, Italy), [8]. Italian Cuisine$22-37.  
• Cantinho Brasileiro, Ispra(Via Milite Ignoto 17/a, Ispra 21027, Italy), [9]. Brazillian Cuisine$47-79.  

Italian Lake District nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

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