Hidden Lakes of Northern Italy

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your flight to Verona, where you'll pick up your hire car. You're headed today for Lake Iseo, but along the way, stop at the southern tip of Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian Lakes. Charming towns surround its tranquil mirrored waters; you might want to pause at Peschiera del Garda for lunch on the harbour or sit on the beach at Rivoltella del Garda for a while. Then, continue onwards to Lake Iseo, an unspoilt gem near the wine region of Franciacorta. It's also home to the biggest inhabited lake island in southern Europe – and you can stay on the island if you wish, surrounded on all sides by crystal clear lake water. Alternatively, stay in a luxury 14th century wine resort on the mainland, just in from the lakeside.

Stay: Castello Oldofredi, Monte Isola (Superior), Podere Castel Merlo, Villongo (Deluxe)

Today you'll leave the picturesque shores of Lake Iseo and drive past the southern tip of Lake Como, bypassing Milan. Stop in Como's town centre in the foothills of the Alps, where you can take a boat trip on the lake and visit the Gothic Como Cathedral before continuing your journey north. En route to Lake Lugano, you'll hop in and out of Switzerland, as the lake straddles both countries. Your hotel for the next two nights is in the town of Lugano on the Swiss side, though there's a decided Italian influence here. Enjoy the spectacular waterfront, charming old town and regional markets over the next two days.

Stay: Hotel Lido Seegarten, Lugano (Superior) or Villa Principe Leopoldo, Lugano (Deluxe)

This morning you'll take the scenic drive to the northern point of Lake Maggiore, also bordering both Italy and Switzerland – if you wish to extend your stay here, we recommend a couple of nights at the Grand Majestic. Then, you'll head down Lake Maggiore's western banks and branch off to Lake Orta for your final three nights. This sparkling gem is such a well kept secret that many Italians don't know about it, so it has an authentic, untouched feel, with less crowds than the bigger lakes. And, in the centre of the lake is the Isola San Giulio, reachable by boat from the town square and well worth the trip.

Stay: Casa Fantini, Lake Orta (Superior), Villa Crespi, Lake Orta (Deluxe)

This morning, drive to Milan to drop your hire car and head back to the UK. Alternatively, extend your stay with a couple of nights in cosmopolitan Milan, Italy's fashion and design capital.