Lake Como is postcard-pretty, but it's also usually packed with people. It has become so crowded, in fact, that the mayor of one town on its shores has recently talked about implementing an entry fee for day trippers.
The good news is that Lake Como is not the only breathtaking body of water in northern Italy. Recommend that clients visit one of these other locations to score a lakeside slice of La Dolce Vita, without the crowds.
All the following lakes lie within a short drive or rail journey from Milan or Verona.
Lake Orta
Best For: Clients seeking a spiritual escape in a lesser-known locale.
The poster child for under-the-radar Italian lakes, Orta has an island with a still-functioning abbey and sits surrounded by forested hills with secluded, sacred sites. Clients can choose to lounge by the water or hike to the Sacro Monte di Orta, one of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nine Holy Mountains of Northern Italy. Boat trips to Isola San Giulio are also popular, where you can admire an ancient Romanesque basilica or embark on a contemplative walk in the shadow of the Mater Ecclesiae Abbey.
At night, hunt down local culinary specialties such as bagna cauda (a delightful dip made of garlic and anchovies) in the back alleys of lakeside towns Orta San Gulio and Omegna.
Where to Stay: For luxury and lapping waters, check in to Laqua By the Lake, part of multi-Michelin-starred chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo's family of hotels and restaurants, which is home to 19 unique suites, a stylish restaurant and a swanky beach club.
Lake Iseo
Best For: Clients who love wine.
Serpentine Lake Iseo is small but perfectly formed. This craggy, rock-crowned lake's star is dramatic Monte Isola, a lush lake island capped by a shrine home to a local population famed for their net-making and fishing skills. The ancient Valeriana Road offers exhilarating lakeside walking opportunities, while the undulating slopes of the lake's southeastern banks hold a prize for oenophiles: the vineyards of the Franciacorta wine region. These vines yield Franciacorta, Italy's most coveted sparkling wine, so full of flavor and character that you may never pour Prosecco again.
Where to Stay: Set among vineyards and striking sculptures a short distance from Lake Iseo, the 57-room villa hotel L'Albereta is draped in ivy and renowned for its spa and culinary delights.
Lake Maggiore offers grand hotels, ferries that go to the Borromean Islands and more.
Credit: 2024 Scott Hartbeck
Lake Maggiore
Best For: Historic hotel lovers and modern-day outdoor enthusiasts.
Straddling the Italian-Swiss border, Lake Maggiore will charm clients with its grand hotels and bevy of outdoor pursuits. Stresa makes a great base, as it offers alleys full of atmosphere, a lakeside promenade and easy access to active pursuits, as well as the ferries that go to the Borromean Islands. Loved by Ernest Hemingway, these isles are home to grand palazzos, romantic gardens and traditional fishing culture. After an island hop, many visitors stop for a spritz at the humble Bar Clipper.
Where to Stay: Dating back to the 1860s, the 172-room Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees offers a glimpse of the Belle Epoque era with modern amenities and social-media-ready scenes.
Lake Garda
Best For: Visitors to Verona and Venice.
Garda is home to a dreamy microclimate, warm mineral springs and more than enough space for watersports or simply laying out on the beach. Multiple villages line its shores, with Sirmione being the star, as it sits perched on a picturesque peninsula that gracefully extends into the water, complete with a majestic castle and soothing thermal baths. Lake Garda boasts a sunny and mild climate (you will spot olive groves and citrus trees), and since it is the furthest east of the Italian lakes, it's the perfect fit for clients visiting Venice or Verona.
Where to Stay: Tucked away amid verdant greenery with views of Lake Garda and dramatic rock cliffs, Lido Palace is a sleek, modern sanctuary home to 42 guestrooms in a historic Art Nouveau structure.
Lake Idro
Best For: Clients who want bragging rights for going off the beaten path.
The magic of Idro begins when you spot the castle atop a rocky precipice above the lake, and everything takes its blissful cue from there. Hike up to the famous former fortification Castel San Giovanni for sweet views, or remain on the shore of Lake Idro, sunbathing on the Blue-Flag beach of Porto Camarelle. Alternatively, venture to Lago d'Idro Nature Reserve to admire panoramic views as you stroll on rustic wooden walkways that meander through verdant reeds.
Where to Stay: Garden View B&B offers comfortable, modern rooms; a restaurant; and sweeping views of Lake Idro.
