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_fs 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
Understand
Talk
Get in
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.
Get around
The most interesting way to get around each of the lakes is by boat or hydrofoil.[http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/]
Varenna, Bellagio, Cadenabio, and Menaggio are the only towns car ferries travel to. [http://www.italianlakes.com/itineraries/itineraries_como_boat.htm]
See
Borromeo Palace, Botanic Garden. tresa. el. 0323/30556. A Beautiful Uproar of Gardens spurced throughtout the Island Of Isola del Borromeo.
Rosmini Museum. illa Ducale. 323/30091.
Tastevin Piazza Cadorna. tresa. 323-31467. Wine Shop
La Cambusa Via Cavour. 323-31938. tresa. Wine Shop
Do
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.
Eat
Hotel Ristorante Fiorentino. olongaro 9-11. 323-30-254. ttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/lakemaggiore/D42632.html. ar-Oct daily 11am-3pm and 6-10pm. rimi 6?-8? ($7.80-$10); secondi 7?-13? ($9.10-$17). Italian Cuisine;
Taverna del Pappagallo. rincipessa Margherita 46. 323-30-411. ttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/lakemaggiore/D42929.html. rimi and pizza 4?-11? ($5.20-$14); secondi 8?-12? ($10-$16). Italian Cuisine/ Pizzeria
Verbano. sola Superiore dei Pescatori, Around Town. 323-32-534. ttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/lakemaggiore/D41725.html. aily noon-2:30pm and 7-10pm. rimi 5?-10? ($6.50-$13); secondi 10?-21? ($13-$27). italian Cuisine
Osteria degli Amici. . M. Bolongaro 33. 323-30-453. ttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/lakemaggiore/D41721.html. hurs-Tues noon-2:30pm and 7pm-midnight. rimi 5?-8? ($6.50-$10); secondi 8.50?-14? ($11-$18); pizza 4?-10? ($5.20-$13). Italian Cuisine/ Pizzeria
Il Castello. aveno-Mombello . ia Zara, Laveno-Mombello 21014, Italy. ttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187843-Lake_Maggiore_Lombardy.html. 22-37 . Italian Cuisine
Cantinho Brasileiro . spra . ia Milite Ignoto 17/a, Ispra 21027, Italy. ttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187843-Lake_Maggiore_Lombardy.html. 47-79 . Brazillian Cuisine
Drink
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