LAKES & MOUNTAIN BREAKS IN ITALY

Italy has many beautiful locations for your lakes and mountain short break. Here are a few of the best mountain lake resorts in Italy.

LAKE GARDA SHORT BREAK

Nestling in its own perfect bay between La Rocca and Punto San Vigilio, Lake Garda is a pretty resort with a rich medieval history which can be seen in the Romanesque arches and cobbled, winding alleys that characterise the village. Lake Garda is a stunning location for your short break.

SIGHTSEEING

• Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet, is well worth a visit, with its impressive Roman Amphitheatre and elegant shopping streets
• A spectacular drive through the Dolomite mountains, where verdant Alpine meadows and craggy peaks stretch for as far as the eye can see Selva, Levico and Val di Fassa are also great places for walking
• Explore the various wine regions south of lake garda which are full of vineyards, castles and historic towns and villages Visit the wine cellars of Cantina Bolla (Soave), Cantina Marangona (Lugana), Cantina Zeni (Bardolino) and Cantina Tommasi (Valpolicella) to sample and pick up some of the local wines
• Drive up into the hills north of Torri del Benaco and stop for lunch in the pretty town of San Zeno di Montagna (named after the Patron Saint of Verona) with it's amazing views down over lake garda Further on at the foot of the Monte Baldo mountain you can park and head off walking in the woods
• Stroll round the colourful gardens of the resorts around Lake Garda
• Soak up the sun on the golden beach on the Venetian Riviera at Lido di Jesolo just 11/2 hours away

LAKE MAGGIORE SHORT BREAK

Lake Maggiore combines modern facilities with the classical charm of a bygone era, making it one of Italy's finest holiday destinations. The resorts of Stresa, Baveno and Pallanza are situated on the Western shores within the secluded Borromean Bay. Stresa is noted for its majestic architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere and is often considered as the Italian "Cote d'Azur". The cobbled streets burst with excellent restaurants, buzzing cafes and shops selling local crafts, designer wear and gastronomic specialities. The bustling resorts of Baveno and Pallanza offer friendly Italian hospitality, with their lakeside promenades brimming with colourful cafes and shops. Lake Maggiore is a perfect destination from which to explore Italy and Switzerland including Milan, Zermatt and Lake Lugano.

ACTIVITIES

• Lake bathing at the Lidos in Baveno and Stresa and at the Suna Lido, 10 minutes walk from Pallanza
• Tennis available in Stresa and Pallanza (extra charge)
• Mountain bike hire at the Stresa Lido
• Borromean Islands: Isola Bella with Palace and Italian style gardens, quaint Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre with Villa and English style gardens

TUSCAN RIVIERA SHORT BREAK

Seemingly endless beaches of fine golden sand shelving gently into the sea; this is the spectacular sight of the Versilian coastline of Tuscany. Choose from the popular resorts of Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore or Forte dei Marmi. Viareggio, characterised by the handsome art nouveau facades that line the seafront, is a stylish, typically Italian resort, while exclusive Forte dei Marmi has a more cosmopolitan ambience. Lido di Camaiore, on the other hand, enjoys the same impressive beach but is a more relaxed, informal resort where a warm, friendly welcome is top priority.

All three resorts are backed by cool pinewoods, ideal for early evening strolls, and scenic hills.