Move Over Lake Como! This Lesser-Known European Lake Straddles 2 Countries With Epic Views
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The Italian Lakes are the right strategy to get pleasure from low-key Italian luxurious on the water, unbelievable views, and far milder temperatures than on the scorching Italian shoreline.
In case you’re searching for an Italian Lake break, then it’s seemingly that you simply’ll make a beeline for Lake Como. Identical to everybody else!
However I’m right here to inform you that that may not be the perfect concept.
Right 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 a substitute.
I’m speaking about Lake Maggiore.
Transfer Over Lake Como? Why It May Not Be The Finest Selection
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} resembling John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski mentioned ‘I do’ by the lake too.
However the place there are celebrities and a world popularity, 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 underneath 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 received’t expertise any of those issues on the lesser-known Lake Maggiore.
Enter Lake Maggiore: The Good Various To Lake Como
Lake Maggiore is breathtakingly lovely and is so massive that it straddles two international locations.
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy and the biggest in southern Switzerland. It sits to the south of the Alps, which means you’ll enjoy epic mountainous views.
This additionally signifies 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 resembling swimming and boating.
After all, except you’re fortunate sufficient to be touring on a yacht, you’ll be able to’t truly keep on the lake itself.
So that you’ll want to remain in one of many cities that fringe the lake as a substitute.
One of the picturesque and widespread 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’s an unbelievable place to flee the hustle and bustle of the most well-liked Lake Como cities and villages.
Unbelievable Islands To Discover
One of many issues that makes Lake Maggiore so distinctive and a standout function is its islands.
In case you’re visiting Lake Maggiore then there are 3 important islands that you have to learn about. These are Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori.
Every island has its personal distinctive charms and every is value visiting, however for very completely different causes!
In case you’re a historical past nerd like me, then you definitely’ll wish to know that every one 3 of those islands had been traditionally owned by the Borromeo household.
They’re considered one of Italy’s strongest noble dynasties, and so they have an enchanting historical past in their very own proper.
If lovely gardens and luxurious verdant greenery is your concept of time then you have 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 can be a palatial constructing surrounded by sometimes Italian terraced grounds which vacationers can discover.
Baroque grottos, gorgeous marble fountains, and free-roaming peacocks are a specific spotlight.
For an uncommon slice of Italian life, Isola dei Pescatori ought to be your choose. This island boasts a fishermen’s village, and though the group has solely 57 folks, it’s lively, vibrant, and authentically Italian.
Visiting the islands is extremely reasonably priced. You possibly 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.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.