mountain walking trails surrounded by olive and orange groves. The best way to explore the rest of the lake is by water. Varenna, which lies on the eastern side of the lake benefits from fast road links to Milan via the lake’s second city of Lecco.The city of Como, at the bottom of the western spur is a cosmopolitan wonder, and the boats can take you to must-see landmarks like the fascinating Villa del Balbianello. Whilst Lake Como undoubtedly steals the limelight there are also two other Italian lakes of particular note that sit either side along the base of the Alps, Lake Maggiore to the west and the smaller Lake Iseo to the east. Once a popular destination for European nobility, Lake Maggiore is today a peaceful spot with a smattering of sights and a feeling of faded glory, and yet it is popular as a cooling escape for many in high summer with plenty of walking and mountain biking routes. Stresa and Pallanza look out onto the Golfo Borromeo, home to the beautiful Isole Borromee. Isola Bella is the highlight, with a Baroque palazzo commanding impressive views and magnificent terraced gardens where white peacocks roam. Isola Madre is a botanical wonderland with rare botanical species and a colony of parrots. The northern part of the lake is more sedate, with tranquil lakeside villages such as Cannero and Cannobio. Almost halfway towards Lake Garda in the east (featured in a separate article with Verona), lies the pretty, but small Lake Iseo. Its lake island, Monte Isola, is Europe’s largest, sprinkled with picturesque fishing villages and best explored on two wheels. The Via Valeriana, once an ancient trading route, is a popular hiking route that snakes through olive groves and vineyards, while the village of Zone is home to impressive rocky pyramids topped by granite boulders. Franciacorta, a hilly region to the southeast, produces the Italy’s finest sparkling wine. As with all northern Italy’s lakes the area is popular with walkers and cyclists. One of the enduring design and lifestyle icons of the 20th century were the beautifully constructed wooden framed motor boats that became the aristocratic playboys of European and American waterways. Today, well-kept examples of models such as the 9-metre Riva Super Aquarama can fetch prices in mid 6 figures. The headquarters of Riva is based in Sarnico on the banks of Lake Iseo, where boats have been made since 1842! the legendary riva Franciacorta, Italy’s finest sparkling wine Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina, Lake Como A classic ferry on Lake Como, Bellagio Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore Shutterstock.com/livethemoment View from Mount Colombina to Lake Iseo, Lombardy 18
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