Lake of Garda
Lake of Garda, the most Mediterranean of the Alpine Italian lakes, shows itself in its wonderful surrounding of natural luminosity and colours: a unique holiday spot, in all seasons. Its shores, studded with villages and small towns, add the charm of a built up landscape to the beauty of its rich natural environment, and the spell of ancient findings of Roman settlements, medieval fortresses, imposing buildings and noble villas. With its Romanesque parish churches, its Baroque-style churches and its sanctuaries, with its monasteries and hermitages, lake Garda shows all the different aspects of its personality, even as an incomparable spiritual place.
Lake Como may be the most well known of the Italian Lakes, especially now days with George Clooney's Villa on the lake. Lake Como is smaller than Lake Maggiore with an area of 148 sq. km. It is though the deepest of all the lakes with a depth of 410 meters near Argegno.
The lake is in the shape of an inverted "Y" which was caused by glaciers moving through the valley. Because of this "Y", Lake Como has the largest perimeter (170 km.) of all the lakes. The two sides of the inverted "Y" are the Lecco side and the Como side with each of the cities sitting at their south ends respectively. On the Lecco arm, the River Adda drains the lake. On the Como side there is no outflow. Lake Como sits in a very romantic position with the mountains surrounding the lake and the many villas and small towns sitting on the lake's banks.
In the middle of the lake where the two arms of the "Y" converge, sits Bellagio, often referred to as the jewel of the lake and also as one of the most romantic of all the towns of Italy.
Lake Maggiore is the longest lake of the Italian Lakes measuring 65 km. long and has a surface area of 215 sq. km. It is about 25 km. in width on average, although twice as wide near Luino. Although given the name "
maggiore" which means greater, it is not the largest lake giving those honors to Lake Garda. The northern tip of the lake lies in Switzerland with two important towns, Locarno and Ascona. Ascona is a delightful town, known also for its Jazz festival at the end of June.
The Borromean Bay between Stresa and Verbania, is blessed with three islands known as the Borromean Islands. These islands are not to be missed on a visit to Lake Maggiore. Isoal Bella is known for its baroque palace and gardens, Isola Pescatori for it's fishing character with it's typical lake boats and the scenic Isola Madre is known for its gardens.
