With 120 beaches, water sports and the country’s largest theme park, Gardaland, Italy’s northern lakes are a fantastic family playground and freshwater alternative to the seaside. It’s not all about the Clooneys and super-glam hotels here – although there are plenty of the latter for those with a taste for the finer things in life.
Part of the Lombardy region, this area of Italy offers outdoorsy fun galore including hiking, swimming, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing, mountain-biking and tree-top adventures at and around lakes that include Garda, Menaggio, Como, Maggiore and Orta. Don’t miss the Borromean Islands, especially Isola Madre with its lovely gardens and puppet theatre.
Where to stay:
A Modernist low-rise that lets the surrounding landscapes take centre stage, Vivere Suites, near Lake Garda, offers a contemporary take on a classic agriturismo in the form of four sleek suites with their own garden and kitchenettes. Three of them sleep four people and offer direct access to the sparkling swimming pool.
Within an old vineyard still producing its own wine, the property organises family excursions including climbing and canyoning, and there’s on-site yoga and bike hire too.
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