EXCURSIONS FOR ACCOMPANYING PEOPLE
LAKE MAGGIORE
On the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy and Switzerland, the Maggiore Lake (or Verbano), is the second largest Italian lake, after Garda. It is situated close to the Alps, stretching for 65 km prevalently NNE-SSW from Magadino to Sesto Calende. Most of the lake lies in Italian territory, marking the boundary between the provinces of Novara and the VCO (Verbania-Cusio-Ossola), in Piedmont, and Varese, in Lombardy; only the most northerly end (42 sq km) belongs to Switzerland.
Lake Maggiore with its light blue waters offers nature, parks, mountains, gardens, islands, flowers, ... and so much more!
A mountain sequence encloses the lake basin; dominating this landscape is the huge Alpine chain of Monte Rosa: only 50km as the crow flies separate Lake Maggiore's waters from these mountaintops, that reach over 4000 metres in height.
Moving away from the lake's shores, you can't help but notice the numerous hilly and mountainous villages that, as well as offering spectacular views, they also possess a vast amount of folklore and ancient traditions. There are many fascinating paths and excursions to undertake, that lead to valleys facing Lake Maggiore: Val Formazza, with its Toce Falls, Val Vigezzo, nicknamed "The painter's valley", Valle Anzasca, which peaks with the Walser habitat of Macugnaga, and Valle Antrona, which boasts fascinating alpine tarns.
Among these jewels of nature, we must highlight the Val Grande Nature Park, the most extensive wild area in central Europe.
Made famous by the presence of the Borromeo Islands, in the homonymous gulf facing Stresa, the lake offers other numerous points of interest: splendid villas and gardens created in the 19th and 20th Century along the Piedmont shores. Stresa and Verbania, for this reasons, merit a visit, to admire, respectively, the Borromeo Gardens and the Villa Taranto and Villa San Remigio botanical gardens.
Even the nearby Lake Orta helps to increase the charm of this tourist area. Shining out from Omegna, a reference point for all of Cusio, this mirror of water plays host to the enchanting San Giulio Island. From Omegna, then, you can head up to Val Strona, famous for its wood crafted products, for example the figurines of Collodi's Pinocchio, and its brass musical instruments.
The last glance goes on the Novara Hills, where excellent wines will carry you along typical tasting itineraries.
A mild climate with lush vegetation, excellent hotels of longstanding tradition, and many campsites, make the Maggiore Lake a favourite tourist centre.
The considerable river traffic uses modern passenger craft and high speed hydrofoils, while a frequent car and passenger ferry links Intra with Laveno. A wide range of sports is available: fishing for bleak, trout, perch and other fish, water skiing, sailing, powerboating, canoeing, swimming etc. The principal centres are linked by main roads and railway.
STRESA AND THE BORROMEO ISLANDS
Placed at the beginning of the shortest branch of the Verbano district, the Golfo Borromeo is a casket of preciousness, starting from the pearl of Lake Maggiore, the beautiful Stresa, known throughout Europe for its great inclination towards tourism and able to attract great events and famous personalities every year.
Marvellous hotels " from fairy tales " in a setting that recalls tourism of the beginning of the century.
Stresa, beside the lake, is full of fantastic proposal: the Borromeo islands. Among them all Isola Bella is first, where you can find an insurmountable Borromeo work of construction in the Baroque Palazzo Borromeo, where Napoleon was once a guest.
Among the natural beauty (an exceptional flora) and man made buildings, the islands add value to the gulf (not that there is any need to), where you can also find the small and harmonic Baveno.
This is the famous ISOLA BELLA:
This is ISOLA DEI PESCATORI:
LAKE OF COMO
There are different destinations for those who want to "live" the lake Como. The area offers different possibilities: cultural tours to Como or to Lecco; relaxing walking tours among the towns in the central part of the lake, where you can visit the beautiful villas; walks along the green valleys of the area; it is possible to do every watersport in northern part of the lake.
NORTHERN PART OF THE LAKE
The northern part of the Lake of Como, known with the name of Alto lago, is an area rich in history and in nature, with the beautiful landscapes, that give to the area a precise identity, different from the other parts of the lake.
Land of ancient customs, here the nearness to Switzerland and the countries of Northern Europe has been exploited, and this is the destination of tourists that love water sports and mountains. The Alto Lario offers occasions of amusement and of enrichment. From Menaggio to north, the landscape of the Lake Como from idyllic becomes wilder, then, as a charm, becomes a wide basin, surrounded by a frame of mountains and valleys. Here, on the banks appear the suburbs of Dongo, of Gravedona, of Domaso, of Gera Lario and of Sorico. On the opposite side, the town of Colico, set down on the layers of imposing Mountain Legnone which, with its rocks, forms a natural gulf: the bay of Piona.
The high lake Como became the favourite destination of an international tourism and seat of renowned schools of different nautical disciplines, from the surf to the kate, from the sail to the catamaran, from the canoe to the water ski. Here, where water and sun melt together with the vacation, where the relaxation is accompanied to cheerfulness and the nature is queen, small and varied receptive businesses, familiar management were born. They offer warm and careful welcome at all levels.
CENTRAL PART OF THE LAKE
This area of the lake takes on different shapes because of the unification of the two branches, Lecco and Como. We have the wide open area between Menaggio-Bellagio-Varenna and the closed area towards Argegno. It is at this point that the mountains slope vertically into the lake and that the lake reaches its maximum depth (410 metres, the deepest of the Italian lakes.) It is an area, which is rich in history with evidence of a glorious past to be discovered in the beautiful villas scattered on both banks of the lake. In Tremezzina Villa Carlotta represents a real treasure, and in spring its gardens full of blossoming azaleas provide a spectacular view for nature lovers. In the rooms of the historic villa there is a museum with famous paintings and sculptures. Varenna with its villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, has reached international fame as a tourist centre and venue for Congresses In Bellagio, the "Pearl of the Lario", tourism is the main economic industry. Here too a destination for the elite, whilst strolling under the porticos, one can meet stars from the world of sports and show business. Art has left a profound mark in this area, the history of the villas and of the picturesque villages has so much to tell us and the landscape is breathtaking. Villa Melzi with its museum and its gardens, Villa Serbelloni with the characteristic portico of Loppia, and San Giovanni, the dividing point of the two branches, are just a few of the treasures which fascinate tourists and arouse enthusiasm amongst art lovers and admirers of artistic beauty. Even in the luxurious hotels that line the shores with cafeterias and restaurants one discovers a tourism that boasts old traditions. Tremezzo, Griante, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna were the localities preferred by the European nobility at the turn of the 19th century. This is the time in which tourism was born. It has since then grown into an industry which today offers a refined hospitality with congressional facilities and where sports and leisure boats are built and exported all over the world. It is in the central area of the lake that we reach peak accommodation capacity with different classes of hotel facilities that year by year are boosted with new important additions.
BELLAGIO
Few places are as romantic as Lake Como, and even fewer resorts as beautiful as Bellagio. Called the “Pearl of the Lake”, Bellagio's world-class hotels and restaurants provide the perfect place to soak up the lake's famous panorama. The village is characterised by century-old buildings, stone lanes and picturesque cobbled stairways filled with shops showcasing the finest Italian wares. The church of San Giacomo is a stupendous example of the Roman-Lombard art (XII cent.), built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como. Inside mosaics of the early ‘900, rich altar of the end of ‘500, a “Deposition of Christ” by the Perugino school, an archaic cross (XII cent.), a triptych by Foppa (1432), a polychrome wooden sculpture of the “Buried Christ” of the Spanish-Baroque school. The church of St. Giovanni Battista is a baroque building (XVII cent.), one nave, and wooden altar of’600. Inside the “Madonna delle Grazie”, fresco of the Lombard school, a sculpture of the “Immacolata” in marble of Carrara (Bernini school), a choir in walnut with carved stalls (XVII cent.), and a painting by Gaudenzio Ferrari (1532).
COMO CITY
Situated on the banks of the lake, is encircled by enchanting hills and couldn't be easier to visit. Travelling from Milan to Como takes less than one hour by train and even less time by car. There are many interesting sites to visit whilst meandering through the streets of Como, historical monuments, beautiful villas and breath-taking sights. The historic centre is located inside the ancient city walls where there are many shops and boutiques, and plenty of cafes for you to rest, enjoy the view and have well-earned refreshment. Today Como is a dynamic, business city with an important history in textile (mainly silk) manufacturing and trading. Due to this traditional textile industry the city is commonly referred to as the Silk Capital.
GARDA LAKE
The lake Garda is the main Italian lake and one of the most important water reserves in Europe. With its long neck that ends between the rocks of the shores, heritage of the Ice Age, it has always left the different travellers breathless, trying to describe its wonderful colours and reflexes.
Northwards, the lake is wedged between the mountains, while southwards it extends in the Plain, between the hills and the gulfs of Peschiera and Desenzano. Thanks to its mild climate, this lake is the most Mediterranean among the alpine lakes. Since the prehistory, it has always been a cradle for the different cultures that have been crossing this area.
At only 30 Km from Verona, 100 Km from Milan and 130 Km from Venice it is well placed for road, rail and air connections. Lake Garda offers the visitor splendid natural scenery, full of colours, surrounded by the Dolomites of Brenta in the north and the gentle slopes of the morainic hills in the south. Rich vegetation flourishes thanks to the Mediterranean climate: lemon trees, oleanders, magnolias and bouganville. The cultivation of vineyards and olive groves produces good wines and olive oil. Walking leisurely around the small village centres, going on a boat trip, exploring the surroundings in a wide choice of itineraries are the best ways of enjoying the lively atmosphere of the lake and the beauty of the landscape. Moreover, Lake Garda is ideally situated for excursions: to the historical cities of Verona, Brescia, Mantua, Trent and Venice, to the Dolomites, to a performance at the Arena in Verona during the Opera Season. In this region almost every sport can be practised from tennis to paragliding, free climbing, scuba diving, clay pigeon shooting and karting. Sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts find here their ideal conditions and over the last years Lake Garda has been chosen by lovers of mountain-bike and has become world famous for the quality of its golf courses. If looking for fun and relax there is a good choice of amusement parks and gardens; for those who love shopping there are opportunities meeting all needs, from the picturesque street markets to the most elegant shops. Lake Garda is also well known for its exciting nightlife, its dolce vita: restaurants, cafes, the trendiest discos and entertainment of all kinds are to be found everywhere. For those who are thinking of a holiday in this attractive part of Italy Garda Vacanze is glad to present the best hotels, holiday apartments, farm holidays and campings round Lake Garda, chosen for the high standard of service, the pleasant location and the outstanding value for money. As Lake Garda is one of the most exclusive venues for business meetings and incentives in Italy, Garda Vacanze suggests suitable 4 and 3 star hotels, perfectly equipped with conference facilities.
SIRMIONE
The unique position of the city of Sirmione is known since the ancient world, for the town lies on the narrow peninsula protruding into the Lake of Garda and thus creating the Bay of Desenzano in the west and the Bay of Peschiera in the east.
Today the city has 25'000 inhabitants and is known worldwide as tourist and thermal holiday destination.
Sirmione has particularly left its mark in literature. During the Roman Empire Sirmione was praised by the poet Catullus, whose wealthy family had an estate in Sirmione in the 1st century B.C. Sirmione was ever since a connecting point between Brescia and Verona.
Another witness of Sirmione's prominence around the lake is the largest Roman villa in northern Italy that was probably used as bath facility. After the Romans the Langobards and the Carolingians settled the town that became an important fishing and trading port.
The city of Sirmione did also set a sign against the heretic when the Scaliger Mastino ordered the closure of the centre where they lived and let burn over two hundred persons in the Arena of Verona. It is also thanks to the Scaligeri that the Rocca di Sirmione, the enormous moated castle, Sirmione's most striking feature, was reconstructed and the port built.
After the Scaligeri it was the Visconti's turn that where then replaced by the Lords of Padua. Sirmione was then reined by the Venetians until 1797, by the French under Napoleon Bonaparte, the Austrian and was then integrated in the new Kingdom of Italy created in 1861.
LAKE ISEO
The Lake Iseo is a lake basin in northern Italy located at the entrance to the Camonica Valley.
Of glacial origin, it is the fourth lake for its extension in the Lombardy region and the seventh in Italy. The main outlet and tributary is the Oglio River.
In every direction, it is possible to admire natural panoramas of rare beauty. The lake’s main activity is undoubtedly the tourism present throughout the year, although the most popular period is from May to September, a season during which many initiatives are organised: sailing regattas, exhibitions and all types of recreational activities. Thanks to the regular winds, the lake is ideal for a programme of intense sporting activities.
FRANCIACORTA
The Franciacorta is the hilly territory situated in Lombard, consisting in 19 communities of the Brescian province. Surrounded on the east side by rocky hills of Moraine, on the west side by the river Oglio and on the north side by the lake Iseo, this area is very rich of minerals that are the fundamental basis of the high quality agriculture here. Together with the particular particle size structure and the favourable climate they create a perfect condition for cultivating vineyards.
The wine produced on these hills has always been of fame from ancient times on. This is confirmed by citing classic Latins Plinio il Vecchio, Columella, Virgilio, the treaties of the XVI century of Andrea Bacci and Agostino Gallo. Although it can be proud of a long history, the new type of wine cultivating in the Franciacorta starts only in the beginning of the sixties. On the territory various agricultural firms had been working since a long time producing good wines and commercialising them only on the local market.
One of the reasons for the big success of the Franciacorta `formula’ is paradoxically, that it has no ancient tradition where it is obliged to report to. This has made it possible to reach the best results without having to worry about historic conditions of a tradition, which would only have delayed the growing process of this product. The choice of the DOC (Di Origine Controllata) for the Franciacorta shows even more the importance of having always as only reference and priority the name of its geographic origin. The rules by which the Franciacorta produces its wine are public, official and obey the national laws and those of the European Community. This way the consumer is protected and can be guaranteed a good product. The passport of the Franciacorta is its territory with all its natural aspects, as is obliged according to the norms of recognition of the Italian DOC products.