Halfway between the cities of Bergamo and Brescia and almost equally divided between the two provinces, Lago d’Iseo is a precious gem of the Lake District that, in Lombardy, includes also the more famous Lago di Como and Lago di Garda. Surrounded by high mountains with dense woodlands on all sides, this lake didn’t reach the popularity of the other two, and this means that it is possible to enjoy all its beauty without the hustle and bustle of typical tourist destinations. In fact, to access this well kept Italian secret a road has been carved into the side of the mountains that encircle it.
This amazing place as something to offer to anyone: wine connoisseurs can tour the wineries and lush vineyards of the nearby Franciacorta; nature lovers can observe fascinating rock formations created 800,000 years ago at Fossil Lakes Park and visit parks and natural reserves; outdoor enthusiasts can walk around the lake on a series of hiking or biking trails choosing them according to their experience level; watersports fans can practice virtually any discipline including canoeing, rowing, sailing, rowing, surfing, and scuba diving – the whole lake is open to swimmers-; mountain climbers have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views from the sheer cliffs and rock faces that surround the lake; culture lovers can choose between 8 different museums, over 100 churches and religious institutions, 38 different historic buildings, 8 archaeological sites, and 16 different cultural trails.
And as if all of the above was not enough to fall in love with Lago d’Iseo, in its waters there is also Monte Isola, which, with an surface of almost 5 sq km, is the largest lake island in Europe and can be reached with any of the ferryboats that take visitors to explore the lake.