8640 Lakes area

Hi Derek
I can only speak for Lake Garda. In August particularly it gets very overcrowded but mostly with Italians on their annual break. Therefore the traffic around the lake can be horrendous, and I don't recommend driving at all on Saturdays and Sundays, except at lunchtime (my trick) when everyone is eating.

That said, there are some wonderful places set just a few km up in the hills where you get the most breathtaking views and you'd never even know about the weekenders "down below". So if you wanted a get away from it all trip on Lake Garda, I'd recommend an apartment or villa set a few km in the hills with view and swimming pool. Then, when you want you can visit the lakeside towns during the week or Gardaland or the water parks at the south end (your kids should love it) if you get bored relaxing by the pool or taking in the views.

[quote=DerekM;81077]Hi

We're thinking of heading back to Italy again for holidays this year and were contemplating the Lakes area as a good place to explore.

Due to kids etc, we're confined to going in late July/early August and we've heard (although only from two people) that the area gets unpleasantly touristy at that time of year (compared to say rural Tuscany). Could anyone confirm or deny this please as we're hoping for an "away from it all" type break.[/quote]

When we lived in the Lakes area several years ago - yes, it did get horribly busy and touristy over the July/August period. However, it was always possible to get away from it all if you headed to the hills or to one of the smaller, lesser known lakes ie d'Orta or d'Iseo. The big three (Garda, Como, Maggiore) are all worth visitng but I would not recommend it in the peak tourist time. Although there are some quieter towns and villages on the lakes, the roads can become quite packed so geting from A to B becomes a chore.

I think there are some 'lake based' forum members so I am sure that they will be able to give you a more detailed answer.

IMHO all lakes are [I]choc-a-block[/I] in July and August, but not only from standard 'tourists' but from a multitude of Italians too.

The reason for this is that many Italians from cites like Milano up here in the north have their own little apartments, [I]baite[/I] and small villa's somewhere (as they put it) 'in the mountains! They use these for holidays and for weekend skiiing in the winter. Many, with children, de-camp with the children to these second homes from late June through to very early September. Husbands stay home and working until August and then join them.

I live in the Valtellina just above Lake Como and manage to avoid the really touristy areas most of the time. But of course here in certain towns around Lake Como there is a huge tourist presence all year round - you can't get away from them... Places like Como and Bellaggio are [U]always[/U] busy. But if you look to smaller - and in my opinion, less 'trendy' places like Bellano, Lecco, Colico,Varenna, Gravedona, and Argegno then you will find tourists but not the type that you seem (and so do we) want to avoid.... The farther you travel East ('[I]up[/I]') the lake the horde of British and Americans disappear to be replaced by Dutch, German and Italians. Many of these are attracted by rock climbing, wind surfing and sailing.

Don't forget that among the mountains there are many spectacular passes to travel over. Like the [B]Spluga[/B] from Madesimo into Switzerland , the [B]San Marco[/B] from Morbegno over to Bergamo, the [B]Gavia[/B] from Ponte di Legno over to Bormio. Plus the spectacular [B]Bernina[/B] that you join from San Moritz over to Tirano, stopping off at Livigno on the way.

So all in all - I would suggest if you want to get away from 'touristy' places, find a good agritourismo that offers good clean value for money rooms and even better - 'genuine food', [U][I]book as early as you can[/I][/U] and use that as a base!

[quote=Carole B;81100]................................So all in all - I would suggest if you want to get away from 'touristy' places, find a good agritourismo that offers good clean value for money rooms and even better - 'genuine food', [U][I]book as early as you can[/I][/U] and use that as a base![/quote]

Very good advice.

I would suggest avoiding road travel on weekends where possible [go somewhere local - or, if you must travel, go to 'out of the way' places - or go by train].

When we go over in Summer, weekends tend to be used for walking locally, reading [and drinking] on the balcony, and general relaxation

There are plenty of places that won't be too crowded in the week - but the 'main resorts' will always be pretty full.

.

Hi Derek,

Lago d'iseo is the place to go it's not too touristy but has a lovely real Italian feel to it and lots to do and see, I run painting holidays there and find it fantastic.

[quote=DerekM;81077]Hi

We're thinking of heading back to Italy again for holidays this year and were contemplating the Lakes area as a good place to explore.

Due to kids etc, we're confined to going in late July/early August and we've heard (although only from two people) that the area gets unpleasantly touristy at that time of year (compared to say rural Tuscany). Could anyone confirm or deny this please as we're hoping for an "away from it all" type break.[/quote]

Hi
Why not try the lakes in Umbria. Lake Trasimena has small beaches around it and it is very shallow providing safe bathing, these often have good restaurants onsite and little or no parking charges. The area/ roads are not overcrowded in the summer months and you have easy access to Tuscany. flights from Stansted to Perugia then around 30/45 mins to lake.

Regards Lin