Northern Italy'slakes arecalling

For decades, writers and painters made pilgrimages to Italy's lakes in search of something they couldn't quite name — Stendhal wrote of Lake Como with something close to reverence, and Hemingway set part of A Farewell to Arms on the shores of Lake Maggiore. There's a reason this corner of Italy has held its pull for so long. It isn't only the scenery, though the mountains rising straight from the water do their share of the work. It's the rhythm of life here — long lunches, slow walks, boats that leave when they're ready rather than when a timetable insists — that makes a lake holiday feel less like sightseeing and more like a genuine pause.

Our 2027 Italian Lakes collection offers plenty of ways to experience this corner of northern Italy, whether you're looking to slow down or fill your days with adventure.

If an unhurried escape is what you're after, Lake Maggiore invites you to settle into its easy rhythm. Stroll elegant lakeside promenades, cruise to the Borromean Islands, and linger over long evenings with good company and a glass of local wine as the sun sets over the water. For something even more peaceful, Lake Orta remains one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Smaller and quieter than its famous neighbours, its intimate scale makes it easy to explore, whether you're wandering the streets of Orta San Giulio, taking a boat to the storybook island of San Giulio, or simply soaking up the tranquillity that defines the lake.

If you'd rather spend your holiday on the move, our Lake Garda Walking Holiday shows off the region's scenery on foot. Follow panoramic trails where vineyards give way to dramatic cliffs, before revealing sweeping views across Italy's largest lake. Prefer exploring on two wheels? Cycling Lake Garda winds through olive groves, lemon terraces and quiet villages, offering plenty of opportunities to pause and take in the landscape.

For those who want to experience several highlights in one journey, the Italian Lakes & Bernina Express combines the timeless beauty of Lake Como with one of Europe's great rail journeys into Switzerland. Along the way you'll cruise across Lake Iseo, spend an evening in elegant Bellagio, and raise a glass to a holiday filled with good moments.

Whether you picture yourself unwinding beside Lake Maggiore, discovering hidden corners of Lake Orta, hiking above Lake Garda or crossing the Alps aboard the Bernina Express, there's an Italian Lakes holiday waiting for you in 2027. Browse the full collection and start imagining yourself there — gelato in hand, with nowhere else you need to be.