From divas to dictators, poets to politicians, people have been flocking to the shores of Lake Garda for centuries. Lesser known than it’s infamous neighbor Lake Como, Lake Garda is a delightful alternative to Como as a northern Lake in Italy. Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes, bordering all three regions of Lombardy, Alto Adige and the Veneto. We recommend four days in the area, which translates to Garda, Verona, Valpolicella and the Bolzano Mountains.
After you’ve visited the art cities in Italy, return travelers have a few great options for other areas to explore. One of our favorite areas is the Lakes region, in the northern region of Lombardia, the next region we are highlighting in our “Italy in 5 trips” blog series. Arriving to this area is easy with Milan Malpensa airport being a major gateway with many nonstop flights from the US.
A visit to Lago di Como is not complete without a stop at Villa Balbaniello. Set on a romantic peninsula on the south-west brank of the lake in Lenno, the property is as stunning as its history interesting. Whether you are passionate about pristine gardens, European history, antique furniture, romantic panoramas or intrepid world travel, this is a visit not to miss.