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The Italian lakes are the perfect way to enjoy simple Italian luxury on the water, incredible views and much milder temperatures than the sweltering Italian coastline.
If you are looking for a holiday on Lake Italy, chances are you are heading to Lake Como. Just like everyone else!
But I’m here to tell you that might not be the best idea.
This is why it’s time to forget the hustle and bustle and overrated glamor of Lake Como and instead explore a lesser-known, tranquil and downright beautiful Italian lake.
I’m talking about Lake Maggiore.
Moving across Lake Como? Why it might not be the best choice
Lake Como is the most famous of the Italian lakes, thanks to its exceptional beauty, abundance of historical sites and celebrity connections.
George Clooney famously lives in a lakeside mansion, and celebrities like John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski also said “I do” at the lake.
But where there are celebrities and an international reputation, there is hustle and bustle. And boy, Lake Como is busy in the summer!
Lake Como receives 1.4 million tourists every year and locals struggle to cope with the weight of visitor numbers.
In April, local authorities proposed introducing a Venice-style entrance fee to combat this overtourism.
Measures that have not yet been introduced but which seem inevitable given the overwhelming crowds.
You will not experience these problems on the lesser-known Lake Maggiore.
Enter Lake Maggiore: the perfect alternative to Lake Como
Lake Maggiore is breathtakingly beautiful and so large that it spans two countries.
Lake Maggiore is the the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. It is located south of the Alps, which means you can enjoy epic mountainous views.
This also means that Lake Maggiore is a relatively cool place to escape the brutal Italian summer heat.
Between June and August, temperatures around Lake Maggiore range between 20°C – 30°C (68 F – 86 F), making it the ideal temperature for water activities such as swimming and boating.
Of course, unless you’re lucky enough to travel on a yacht, you won’t be able to stay on the lake itself.
So you will have to stay in one of the towns on the edge of the lake instead.
One of the most picturesque and popular places is the town of Stresa. This is located on the western Italian side of Lake Maggiore, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
Stresa features beautiful churches, authentic Italian markets and forest walks with panoramic lake views. It’s an incredible place to escape the hustle and bustle of Lake Como’s most popular towns and villages.
Incredible islands to explore
One of the things that make Lake Maggiore so unique and striking are its islands.
If you visit Lake Maggiore, there are three main islands you should know about. These are Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori.
Each island has its own unique charms and each is worth a visit, but for very different reasons!
If you’re a history nerd like me, then you’ll want to know that all three of these islands were historically owned by the Borromeo family.
They are one of Italy’s most powerful noble dynasties and have a fascinating history in their own right.
If you want to enjoy beautiful gardens and lush greenery, then you should visit Isola Madre, which has a botanical garden full of tropical plants.
The home of the Borromeo family is located on Isola Bella. This is a palatial building surrounded by typical Italian terraces for tourists to explore.
Baroque caves, beautiful marble fountains and free-roaming peacocks are a special highlight.
For an unusual slice of Italian life, head to Isola dei Pescatori. This island features a fishing village, and although the community has only 57 inhabitants, it is active, vibrant and authentically Italian.
Visiting the islands is incredibly affordable. You can take a Borromeo Islands tour departure from Pallanza for €16.90 ($18.40) per adult and €8.50 ($9.30) for children aged 4-12.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
