Italian Lakes Discovery

Lakes Como, Iseo and Garda—Jewels at the Foot of the Alps
In the 1st Century BC, Lakes Como, Iseo and Garda were luxurious retreats for wealthy Romans—and they still are. These fjord-like lakes, carved out by massive glaciers that spilled their way down from Alpine peaks thousands of years ago, today sit serenely at the foot of the Alps and mountainous backdrops are never far from view. Their lakeshores are famously dotted with ancient villages, stately villas, gardens, and groves. Both lakes are fed by rivers and streams running down from the Alps and bounded by sheer cliffs plunging dramatically into the water.

Ancient Pathways, Promenades, and Panoramic Views
Our hikes in the region start with a relaxing ferry trip or shuttle to the trailhead. You’ll enjoy both leisurely lakeside promenades and vigorous climbs up panoramic peaks, exploring a network of age-old paved mule tracks through woodland, pasture, and high ridges which once linked remote hamlets together and saw generations of traders, pilgrims, and travelers.

Milan, Malcesine, Riva di Solto and Varenna
What better place to start or conclude your adventure than in Milan Italy, a center of art and culture since the time of Leonardo da Vinci. At Lake Garda you’ll stay in the lakeside resort town of Garda itself with its lively waterfront restaurants, on Lake Iseo at a panoramic hotel overlooking this lesser-known lake. Your stay in Varenna, the most picturesque of Como’s lakeside towns, gives you a romantic setting with easy access to the mountains, as well as the villas and cobbled lanes of nearby Bellagio.