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The European lakes can be just as beautiful as the coast.
The same can’t always be said in the United States, where muddy water may evoke a country song, but not exactly a postcard photo.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind “across the pond” is Lake Como, but the secret has long been out in the famous Italian waterfront playground.
But you don’t have to visit the Swiss Alpine wonders if you want to come second: you can stay in Italy there is at least one gem yet to be discovered by the masses.
Surrounded by a cluster of beautiful villages and backdropped by sparkling blue waters and soaring green mountains, Lake Iseo is one of Italy’s tight-lipped secrets.
But the Travel Off Path team is ready to spill the espresso beans and reveal the beautiful Italian escape that most travelers still don’t know about.
The best alternative to Lake Como
Lake Como is pricey, busy and not exactly Italy’s most authentic destination for relaxationenjoying local wine, devouring and absorbing pizza the dolce vita.
Very? Absolutely, but there are other options that travelers simply don’t know exist.
One of them, and perhaps the most peaceful, is Lake Iseo, located between Bergamo and Brescia and surrounded by Monte Isolathe dreamy island that rises from the middle of the lake.
Surrounded by virtually unknown villages with prized real estate and unparalleled waterfront, there is no shortage of places to visit for less crowds and more authentic atmosphere than overly touristy Como.
Remember what I just said about sipping wine without worrying about the bill?
Lake Iseo edges in the Franciacorta DOCG wine region, making it one of Italy’s most unsung wine destinationsespecially with the view you get from pretty much any restaurant patio.
Which village is best to visit?
We put Monte Isola in bold for a reason: it is without a doubt the most picturesque place to visit in the region.
Lake Iseo’s crown jewel may be a map point in the vast, winding water, but it packs a punch.
Consider Monte Isola as the centre, with plenty of other hamlets you can head to too.
Check out places like Siviano, Peschiera Maraglio, Carzano and Porto di Siviano as other magical hamlets that are definitely worth a visit.
Wherever you go, be it the island’s capital, Siviano, or other unknown gems, the atmosphere is slow, quiet and exudes old-fashioned Italian.
Moreover, it is car-free, which makes it even more unique.
As for where to stay, Peschiera Maraglio is the easiest base for beginners as this is the main ferry port.
If we were to book a summer holiday, we would choose Sensole Locanda Contemporanea because of the front row view, the private beach and the panoramic terrace.
For the best overall views of the lake, stay around Sensole or Porto di Siviano, where Monte Isola feels even further removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.
How to get here:
Monte Isola is only accessible by boatand that’s exactly why it still feels so blissfully tucked away.
The easiest route is to take the ferry from Sulzano or Sale Marasino, both of which offer a direct connection to the island approximately every 20 minutes.
If you’re coming from Milan (Como’s main gateway), take the train towards Brescia, join the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line and get off at Iseo, Sulzano or Sale Marasino before hopping on the ferry.
How safe is Italy to visit this summer?
Italy is one of those European bucket list destinations that is actually easy to get to because it is so well connected.
But there are also some notorious places to look out for bad apples, such as Naples, which is known for its grittiness, and even Rome and Venice are notorious for their scammers.
However, small-town hideaways, such as those found around Lake Iseo, are no problem for tourists to keep their heads turning.
Lake Iseo is so localized for tourism, you just feel like another local – but hopefully you’ve brushed up on your Italian, although I’m pretty sure I could get by with the words “cappuccino”, “pizza” and “vino”.
Travelers currently consider Italy one of the safest countries in Europe, scoring it an impressive 92/100 on our safety index.
Meanwhile, the US State Department takes a slightly different view, labeling Italy “Level 2: Be More Cautious” in their latest advisory issued just over a year ago.
