RealPoint ~ properties in Italy
RealPoint ~ properties in Italy |
|
Discover the Italian Lakes |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
The property market in the Italian Lakes |
All About the Italian Lakes
Our Lakes Service Lake Como Lake Como is a jewel-like oasis of tranquillity, a magical combination of lush Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine peaks. Como is a lively and pleasant town with an appealing historical centre and a scenic location at the southern end of the east branch of the Lake. The impressive cathedral (Duomo), like most in Italy, was built and added to over a period of centuries, so you can admire Gothic and Renaissance features including some fine tapestries and paintings. The town's earlier cathedral (built in the tenth century), San Fedele, is another fine sight, as are the tall nine-hundred-year-old gateway, Porta Vittoria, and the Romanesque church Sant'Abbondio. The town's art gallery (Pinacoteca) is also worth a visit. For a short trip out of town, take the funicular up to Brunate above Como, where you can enjoy spectacular views. If you're a hiker, take the footpath up to Monte Boletto. Travelling along the western perimeter of the lake, you can stop in at the Tempio Voltiano, a surprising classic temple with marble columns and mosaic floors. A bit farther on are the beautiful formal gardens and park of Villa dell'Olmo, a sumptuous lake home named after an elm forest mentioned by Pliny the Younger in the days when Como was a flourishing Roman outpost. From Como, it's just a short drive to Cernobbio, whose old town features a delightful collection of picturesque houses and narrow alleys. Nearby is one of the grandest hotels in all Europe, the Villa D'Este, whose rooms are almost like museum galleries. A few minutes away is Toriggia, where you can visit Villa Passalacqua, a late 18th-century home where Vincenzo Bellini once stayed. As you travel north you'll see Como's only island, Isola Comacina. The best day of the year to take the ferry over to the island is the week end after June 24th, when St. John's Day is celebrated with a mass at Santa Eufemia’s basilica, followed by a costumed procession and night-time fireworks. Lake Como is renowned for its exquisite villas, and probably the most famous one is Villa Carlotta, a perfect combination of luxurious interiors (beautiful stuccos, lovely ceiling frescoes and a great art collection, including an Eros and Psyche by Antonio Canova) and luxuriant exteriors (over 500 species of plants, trees and shrubs from all over the world). Tremezzo is another lovely lakeside town. There's a classic lakeside promenade, as well as many wonderful old villas (some of which have been converted to hotels), and it's from here you can take a car ferry over to Bellaggio and Varenna, on the opposite shore. Varenna may be the most picturesque town on the lake, its steep winding alleys lined with charming homes, flowering balconies and lace-curtained windows. Just above it is the ancient castle where Theodolinda, Queen of the Lombards, is said to have died in the 7th century. Two famed villas to visit here are Villa Cipressi, with terraced gardens cascading right down to the shores, and Villa Monastero, a true showcase. On the southern shore is Bellaggio, la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake), considered by many to be the most beautiful town in all of Europe. Its narrow cobbled streets, breathtaking views, impeccable homes and glorious villas make it a most enchanting spot. Lake Garda The towns around the lake are all pretty, pleasant places to stay. Sirmione Desenzano del Garda Riva del Garda The waterfront is dominated by one of Garda's fortresses, the Rocca, which contains the town's museum. Steep wooded slopes tower above, with ruined towers emerging from the trees to tempt the energetic explorer. North of Riva, walking or driving excursions give access to some of the region's most dramatic scenery. This includes a 287-ft waterfall at Varone, the remains of a Bronze Age settlement at Lake Ledro and the crags and fortifications of Castello d'Arco. Malcesine Lake Maggiore Parks and Reserves of the Italian Lakes
Sport and leisure in the Italian Lakes Golf One of the world's finest golf resorts is to be found in the luxurious Palazzo Arzaga near Verona, with a golf academy, tennis courts and a spa. For more details of the golf courses on offer in the lakes visit: http://www.golfing.it/golflake.shtml http://www.mastergolf.it/Milan.html http://www.golfitalia.co.uk/italianlakes_golf.htm Skiing Further north lies the Valle d'Aosta, a large area with a distinct identity of its own. French is spoken here as well as Italian. Castles, pine forests and wooden chalets shelter in the shadows of high peaks including some of Europe's mightiest mountains: Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa. Courmayeur is one of Italy's best and most glamorous ski resorts; offering masses of downhill skiing, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, cable-cars, chairlifts and helicopters. The resort lies at the foot of Mont Blanc, and caters for summer as well as winter skiing. Other good destinations in this area include Breuil-Cervinia, the spa town St Vincent, Pila and Cogne. Over to the north-east of Italy are the Dolomites (Dolomiti), an extensive mountain range offering countless possibilities for winter sports and summer holidays. 12 different skiing areas are linked together to form the 'Dolomiti Superski' network. Resorts in this area include the popular Madonna di Campiglio and Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the most well-known ski resorts in Italy. For more details visit: http://www.venere.com/cgi/search/big_area.php?area_tag=alps&lg=en&ref=2960 Walking in the Lakes Several buses a day run from Menaggio to Lugano (with its equally lovely
waters) and from Menaggio up to the modern hill village of Breglia. From
Breglia a well-signposted and popular route climbs up to Rifugio Menaggio
in under two hours where there are fine views of the lake. A tougher extension
continues to the summit of Monte Grona, with its big all-round panorama,
including snow-clad Monte Rosa to the east. A much shorter walk also heads
from Breglia through woods to the spectacularly sited chapel of San Domenico. There is also a most beautiful little walk, well signposted from Griante,
up alpine pastures - flowers and butterflies all the way - to the chapel
of San Martino, high on a big ledge above the lake. Food and Wine Getting to Lake Como By Air By Car By Train Steamers, boats and buses serve all the main towns on Lake Como. A frequent boat service connects the central resorts, Lenno, Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna, including a car ferry. A less frequent but faster boat travels the full length of the lake from Como (with stops at most of the above). Buses run approximately hourly all the way up the west coast from Como round to Colico at the north-east. Getting to Lake Garda By Air Ryanair fly to Brescia Airport, located 20 km from Brescia (and 52 km
from Verona), which is convenient for Lake Garda. There are a couple of
different bus shuttle services to Brescia bus station. One coincides with
Ryanair flights, and costs €15.49 return. The other runs 3-4 times
a day and costs €7.23 return. By car From the Railway Station you can reach lake Garda by using regional bus
lines. Information about Lake Garda boating services: Getting to Lake Maggiore By Air By Car By Train By Bus Ferries and Hydrofoils Distances from Milan to: Distances from Como to: |
Why
choose the Italian Lakes?
Lake
Como (Lago di Como) is one of the famous Italian Lakes destinations, just
half an hour from noisy, bustling Milan, in the north of Italy. Lake Como
is long (50km), slender and extremely deep. The southern end forks into
two long 'legs', with the picturesque town of Bellagio situated on the
promontory between them. Like the other Italian Lakes, Lake Como has been
popular as a resort since the days of the Roman Empire. For centuries
visitors have admired the blue lake waters and relaxed in luxurious villas
in the wooded lakeside slopes above. Today, most of the scenic towns around
the shores of Lake Como are popular for the wide variety of sports the
lake area has to offer: wind surfing, swimming, water skiing, swimming
and hand gliding.
In
the north-west of Italy, Turin is one of the most convenient budget airports
for ski holidays. It is also the base for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Directly
west of Turin, and very close to the border with France, lies the Valle
di Susa, a valley on the Turin-Paris train line. In this area there are
several busy ski resorts, including Sauze d'Oulx, Bardonecchia and the
fashionable and modern Sestriere (2035m). Sestriere lies in the Valle
del Chisone, and is a well-developed resort with 20 ski-lifts, an ice-skating
rink and cross-country trails. Buses run to Sestriere from Turin; alternatively
local buses travel from Oulx station on the Turin-France railway.
