Things to do in The Lakes
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Il Vittoriale degli Italiani
Its heyday is recalled at the fabulous estate Il Vittoriale degli Italiani. Italy’s controversial poet and ultranationalist, Gabriele d’Annunzio (1863–1938) retreated here in 1922 because, he claimed, he wanted to escape the world that made him ill. Visits to d’Annunzio’s house are by guided 25-minute tour only (in Italian, every 10 minutes). The Museo della Guerra (War Museum) records d’Annunzio’s WWI antics – one of his most triumphant and more bizarre feats was to capture a battleship from the fledgling Yugoslavia shortly after WWI, when Italy’s territorial claims had been partly frustrated in postwar peace talks. In July and August, classical concerts, balle…
reviewed
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Sancarlone
It was in Arona (population 14,370), 20km south of Stresa, that the son of the Count of Arona and Margherita de’ Medici, who would go on to become San Carlo Borromeo (1538–84), was born. His birthplace, the Rocca Borromea castle, was later destroyed by Napoleon. But Arona’s saint is far from forgotten: in addition to a church and several chapels, the hill dedicated to him bears the revered religious monument, Sancarlone. Erected between 1614 and 1698, the 35m bronze-and-copper statue can be climbed, affording a spectacular view from the top.
reviewed
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Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso
The Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso is one of the most spectacularly located places in northern Italy. Clinging to the high rocky face of this southeast shore of Lake Maggiore, about 13km north of Angera, it is reached by a spiralling stairway (a lift is being built too) from 60m above. The church is actually the cobbling together of a series of 13th- and 14th-century chapels to form an oddly shaped whole, and is filled with a carnival of frescoes.
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Villa Taranto
Verbania Pallanza is a interesting district, with a tight web of lanes in its old centre and, the city’s highlight, the grounds of the late-19th-century Villa Taranto. In 1931, royal archer and Scottish captain Neil McEacharn bought the villa from the Savoy family. He planted some 20,000 species over 30 years, and today it is considered one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens. Boats stop at Pallanza and at the landing stage in front of the villa.
reviewed
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Friends of Arco
Anyone looking to experience this outdoor-lover’s paradise should hook up with Friends of Arco, a mountain-guide service offering a huge range of courses and excursions, from gentle day trips taking in the local botany to multiday adventure courses, including canyoning, trekking, climbing and ski mountaineering. The Friends can also help you book accommodation.
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Parco Nazionale delle Incisioni Rupestri
About halfway between Darfo and Edolo, the Parco Nazionale delle Incisioni Rupestri, at Capo di Ponte, is a 30-hectare open-air museum containing a representative array of rock engravings going as far back as the Bronze Age. Perched high on a rocky ledge over the Oglio river stands a grand Romanesque church, the 11th- to 12th-century Pieve di San Siro.
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Marco Segnana Surf Center
Beginners and pros alike can hook up with the Marco Segnana Surf Center, which has bases at lakeside Lido di Torbole in Torbole and on Porfina beach in Riva del Garda. Three-hour lessons for beginners/advanced surfers are €59/68, excluding board hire (€18/42 per hour/day). It also rents catamarans (€39/89 per hour/half-day), kayaks and bikes.
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CanevaWorld
CanevaWorld has two theme parks. Aquaparadise has lots of exhilarating water slides, while Movieland has stunt-packed action shows. Exact opening times may vary slightly throughout the year, so check the website for details. You can take on an evening medieval show and banquet (of sorts).
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Hotel Lido Angera
For a culinary treat, head just outside the centre of town to Hotel Lido Angera for fresh lake fish. Set on the lake and surrounded by greenery, this hotel-restaurant serves up an original sushi platter of Lake Maggiore fish as a starter. The rooms (singles/doubles €78/110) are also tempting.
reviewed
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Lake Maggiore Adventure Park
If you’ve got energy to burn (or kids who do), stop off at Lake Maggiore Adventure Park. Thrills and spills include suspension courses, an artificial climbing wall, a trampoline ‘acro-jump’, and a cycling course with jumps. Its cafe has stunning lake views from its patio.
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Giardino Botanico Fondazione André Heller
More plant life can be admired at Giardino Botanico Fondazione André Heller. The botanic gardens were laid out in 1900 and redesigned in the late 1990s by multimedia artist André Heller. Sculptures by Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein sit among some 8000 plant species.
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Riserva Naturale Torbiere del Sebino
To the south of Iseo stretches a 2-sq-km protected wetland, the Riserva Naturale Torbiere del Sebino, formed from 18th-century peat beds. In late spring, the pools are smothered in water lilies. Getting in is hit-or-miss, although there is a walking path around it.
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Castello di Arco
From the medieval village of Arco (population 16,160), 5km north of Riva, a 20-minute stroll through olive groves to Castello di Arco limbers up the muscles for the more strenuous terrain awaiting walkers a few kilometres north.
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Monte Isola
Monte Isola is Europe’s largest lake island, at 4.28 sq km. Only the doctor, police and the priest are allowed to drive on the island, making its little fishing village a peaceful retreat.
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Cycle Lake Garda to Milan
8 days (Lake Garda)
A cycle traverse through the Lakes District of northern Italy.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,520 -
Italian Lakes Walk
7 days (Menaggio)
Explore the mountain trails and villa gardens of Italy's magnificent Lake Como on foot.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$990 -
Museo della Bambola
The imposing medieval hilltop fortress, the Rocca di Angera, houses the 12-room Museo della Bambola, displaying the Borromeo family’s priceless collection of dolls.
reviewed
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Abbazia di Piona
About 3km south of Colico, the Abbazia di Piona, a Cistercian abbey, is a pocket of peace. From the lakeside, SS36, follow the narrow road for 2km; the last stretch is cobbled.
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Taverna Enoteca Lantieri
For tasty cheese (like Lombard mountain Bagoss cheese) and meat platters, bruschetta and other snacks, as well as some great local wines, head to the Taverna Enoteca Lantieri.
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Ristorante al Forte Alto
The most atmospheric place to eat is Ristorante Al Forte Alto, serving top-notch typical Trentino cuisine in an 1860s-era former defensive fort just near Torbole’s centre.
reviewed
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Gardaland
The lake’s lower eastern shore is home to larger-than-life dinosaurs, pirate ships, roller coasters and a dolphinarium at the kid-oriented Gardaland.
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Tomaso Surf & Sail
Cannobio has an active sailing and windsurfing school, Tomaso Surf & Sail, next to a patch of gritty beach at the village’s northern end.
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Caffè Bolongaro
Caffè Bolongaro, on the waterfront in Pallanza, is the perfect place for pizza: they have an interminable and tasty selection.
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Lake Como Walk
5 days (Menaggio)
Explore the mountain trails and villa gardens of Italy's magnificent Lake Como on foot.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$690 -
Cicli Prezan
Mountain bikes can be hired per hour/day for €4/14 from Cicli Prezan.
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