10 amazing lakes in Italy you have to see (vol.2)
Wide expanses of water with therapeutic and regenerating properties
Do you remember our article about the most beautiful Italian lakes? Well, these fantastic natural beauties are so numerous in our peninsula, that we decided to split the article in two chapters. Here we are for the second half of our chart about these fascinating, majestic and wide expanses of water, that unique element with therapeutic and regenerating properties, not least the property of capturing our eyes and hearts.
Lake Maggiore
It’s a lake of the pre-Alps which name derives from the fact that it was the “maggiore” (major) Italian lake, before the formation of the Fondotoce Plain, that has divided the lake Maggiore from the Lake Mergozzo. Its banks are shared by Italy and Switzerland and it’s famous for its picturesque landscape made of luxurious villas and rich vegetation, plus boasting several islets among which the Borromean Islands like the Isola Bella, divided between the Palace, its Italian garden and a small fishing village. Here you can find many interesting sights, like The Sacred Mountain of Ghiffa, a Roman Catholic devotional complex in the comune of Ghiffa, overlooking the Lake Maggiore and included in UNESCO World Heritage list.
Lake Iseo
Located in Lombardy region, in northern Italy, it can be considered an outstanding natural beauty, with its lush green mountains that embellish the crystal clear water. Less famous than Lakes Como and Garda, Iseo is not less spectacular and remains an undiscovered gem. Lake Iseo offers many lake activities like kite surfing, sailing, diving, etc. and mountain activities too: cycling, climbing, skiing, caving. In addition you can cherish in the area numerous historical and cultural attractions. Recently the lake has become well-known for artist Christo ‘walk on water’ installation, a 3 km (1.9 mile) walkway on water named Floating Piers, that is attracting thousands people.
Lake Garda
the major Italian lake, this huge basin of water has positioned itself as a connection among three regions: Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino-Alto-Adige. It is a very important touristic attraction, indeed it is visited every year by millions of visitors attracted also by the beauty of the panorama that surround and frames the lake like an amazing dress. Surrounded by pleasant villages and hills that create a sort of green amphitheater on the southern part and that make the landscape even sweeter. The lake presents also 5 islets like the Isola del Garda on which we can find a neo-gothic palace dating back to the 1800s.
Lake Trasimeno
Let’s move forward central Italy, to explore the beauties that Trasimeno Lake has in store for us. In the Umbria region, not far from Perugia, you can live moments under the sign of history, culture, good food and sport activities. The lake is the fourth for surface in Italy and is rich in fish and is defined endorheic body of water; that is it receives water but has no outlet, like Caspian Sea and the Dead Sea. On the western shore, near Tuscany, there are vineyards , while half of Trasimeno is surrounded by hills rich in olives, ideal for excursion by foot, bike or on horse also because of the warm climate. A relevant sight is the Maggiore Castle located on an islet.
Lake of Posta Fibreno
Last but not least a peculiar lake in Lazio region, in the province of Frosinone. This natural reserve is famous for enclosing a real floating island in the vegetation of its rushes. With a surface of 345 hectares, it covers a big part of the town. It is surrounded by rich and various environments linked to the lake system: a river, a ditch and the rushes plus a wide hill area. It consists in numerous underwater springs, of fresh and crystal clear water that allows the light to reach its bottom, fact that permits to plants and animals to interact and flourish. We can find indeed: herons, Swamp harriers, foxes. But you have to witness to its real natural spectacle to understand its unicity.
