Family Holidays: Italian Lakes family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

Undeniably beautiful, the romantic Lake district of Northern Italy was once a preserve of the very rich and although still attracting the likes of George Clooney and Mel Gibson who own villas here, it is now also a top destination for package holidays and day trippers from surrounding countries. Pick your lake and the time you go carefully and you too can (just) be transported back to the Belle Epoque era – a time when you could enjoy the extraordinary beauty of mountains plunging into green depths and the sweet smell of oleanders perfuming the air, without your view being ruined by a hundred charter boats. That said, it is still a great destination for families; children are catered for with a plethora of water-sports and well equipped holiday resorts and the adults are made happy by lakeside restaurants with fabulous views and if you are lucky, fabulous food.

Sailing on Lake Garda with mountains in the background

Top left: Lake Como
Top right: Varenna, Lake Como

Bottom left: Lake Garda in the morning
Bottom right: Sailing on Lake Garda with mountains in the background

Do

Lake Garda is one of the most popular lake destinations with probably the cleanest water of all the lakes. It’s also good for water-sports with some of the best windsurfing in Europe. The climate here is good too, with summer temperatures softened by breezes. Along the Western coast are lush orchards of olives, vines and citrus trees, while the North and East are more rugged, with large mountains at the tip. The Southern coast is backed by a gently sloping plain. The best place to stay here is Riva Del Garda, a pleasant 19th Century resort on the North West tip, with pastel painted hotels, lovely views and enough gelateria and pizza parlours to keep any child happy.

Lake Como is widely held to be the most beautiful of the Lakes, surrounded by tall peaks that rise more or less directly from the water's edge, the luxuriance of its vegetation is equalled by the opulence of the local villas and palazzo. Travel up the lake on an old-fashioned steamer, the scenery is breathtaking and the water is clean enough to dive right into. Avoid the main towns and stay instead in Varenna or Bellagio, much quieter with better views or Managgio, which makes a good base for hiking, swimming or cycling.

Of the smaller lakes, Lago d’Orta is probably the best, nicknamed Cinderalla by locals, its gentle waters and famous island village – Isola San Giulio, make it a very popular destination. Try and come out of season and it reverts back to a place of 19th Century charm.

Get your children to walk off all the ice cream and pizzas, there are many wonderful hill and mountain walks in the area between the lakes. You could even base yourself in lovely Bergamo which gives you not only the opportunity to hike in the mountains but also travel to different lakes.

Eat

Maybe not the best area in Italy to eat, but even in the worst of the tourist hotels you will find some good Italian staples. It is best to try and buy local produce and make your own picnics and live off pizza the rest of the time with a couple of full-blown dinners out.