The mountain Resegone with its unforgettable profile as a saw is silhouetted against Lecco and all Brianza.

Monte Isola is Italy’s largest inhabited lake island. It rises out of Lake Iseo and has a charming Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna della Ceriola that dominates its summit.   This lovely little fishing island is divided into twelve districts, with flower-filled balconies, lovely trails and lakeside walks that show off the uniqueness of this area.  In spring, though, this experience is made even more special with a visit to the island over the water.  There are plenty of ports on Lake Iseo where you can take a boat to Monte Isola, from the main ones, Sulzano and Sale Marasino, to Iseo, Pisogne, Lovere, Tavernola Bergamasca and Sarnico. With the ferry service, it is possible to spend a whole day exploring the island, losing yourself in the picturesque streets, visiting the brightly coloured main port of Peschiera Maraglio, and enjoying lunch in one of the restaurants overlooking the lake, or taking a hike up to the Sanctuary.  If you’d like to see the island from another perspective, then spring is the perfect time for a guided visit to Monte Isola by kayak. Activities available on the lake shores include guided excursions around the island (around 2 and a half hours), where it is possible to get a glimpse of the private island of San Paolo and admire Rocca Martinengo on Monte Isola from the water before landing at Peschiera Maraglio to enjoy a lovely walk.    

Perched on a hill with breathtaking views, Sacro Monte di Varese has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003.

San Giuseppe, I Barchi, Lago Palù, Alpe Palù, Passo Campolungo, Monte Motta Sasso Alto - ritorno a San Giuseppe

At the foot of Mt. Penice, this ancient possession of the Abbazia di San Colombano di Bobbio passed to the Malaspina family in the Middle Ages and then to the Dukes of Milan. As well as the eighteenth century parish church dedicated to St. George, Santuario della Beata Vergine, built on the summit of Mt. Penice at an altitude of 1460 metres with very long views, also merits a visit. Menconico also has a nature reserve - Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe (an EC site since 2005) - covering 328 hectares of conifer, beech, downy oak and hornbeam forests, the habitat of a wide range of fauna. Access to the nature reserve is free of charge and its footpaths are well signed and equipped with information boards.

Panoramic pools, waterfalls and bio saunas, in an elegant Belle Époque atmosphere

Lecco is a territory that offers places rich in history, art and culture. Lecco is the lake with many boroughs

Strolling through time and along the lakeshore

Alpe San Michele, a meeting point between Valcuvia and Valtravaglia, is one of the most stunning points from which to enjoy views from above Lake Maggiore.   Here we have the village of San Michele, in the province of Porto Valtravaglia, home to the enchanting little church of San Michele al Monte. The church is Romanesque in origin, decorated with early mediaeval frescoes, and surrounded by greenery. Previously alpine pastures, it is now the perfect place for a buen retiro and a picnic after a panoramic excursion.   Although it is just a little over 800 metres in altitude, Alpe San Michele offers enviable views over the local area, embracing the Varese region, the upper area of Milan, upper Verbano and the villages and subalpine pastures. The panoramic vantage point of San Michele, near the church of the same name, can be reached on different excursion routes, starting from Porto Valtravaglia or the nearby municipalities, such as Mesenzana. Of the best-known trails, worthy of mention is the Trekking degli Insubri, a route that crosses through the woods along ancient trails and relics of Celtic origin.  On arrival, hikers, mountain bike enthusiasts and visitors can rest in these holy, historical and natural surroundings, which are ideal for al fresco lunching. If you’d rather opt for a picnic or if you don’t fancy hiking on account of the bad weather, San Michele can also be reached by car. Just twenty minutes’ drive from Lake Maggiore, you will find restaurants and other venues with views of the lake.