If there is one place in Italy that has my heart, it has to be the Italian Lakes. I first visited Lake Maggiore nearly 10 years ago, then a year later we were married on the shores of this beautiful lake. To us a wedding in the Lakes made perfect sense…the food, prosecco, hospitality; however to me, on a deeper level the Lakes in Summer pose an almost otherworldly beauty (The film Star Wars II used Lake Como for the romantic scenes on planet Naboo*).
With the steep mountains insulating you from the outside world, your days revolve around boat trips to stunning lakeshore restaurants to dine on fresh fish from the lake, gentle walks around magnificent lakeside palaces or gardens and evening promenades with gelato. I will always be biased, but to me Lake Maggiore is undervalued when compared to neighbouring Lake Como. The scenery is just as spectacular, the gardens and palaces of the Borromean Islands are more than equal to Villa Carlotta et al. There is also the added bonus of neighbouring Lake Orta with it’s crystal clear waters and the incomparable island village of San Guilio.
Then there are the mountains to explore; from either the Stresa cable car which rewards you with spectacular views over the lake and beyond or the scenic drives to ancient Monasteries, nature reserves and authentic restaurants. The Lakes make the perfect short break from late Spring to early Autumn for a few days of blissful isolation or as part of a wider Italian multi-centre holiday.