Menaggio is a lively resort on the opposite side of the lake from Bellagio. Come here for the best hiking trails around the lake.

The tourist office on Piazza Garibaldi 8 is open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 6 pm, closing for lunch between 12 and 3. In the summer months it is open form 7:30 and to 6:30 pm on Sundays as well. You can get all hiking information from here – including trails, getting there, maps, etc. Visit www.menaggio.com for further details.

The 17th century villa of Marquis Giorgio, Villa Carlotta, is the most is very popular and is worth a visit. Now owned by the Italian government, the villa is decorated with paintings, statues by Canova and his imitators. But the garden definitely overshadows everything else. The villa and gardens are open all year round and charges an entry of 6.50€ for adults and 3.25€ for seniors over 65 and students.

At the town’s northern end is very has excellent water sport facilities. There is a beach as well as a pool. It is open from late June till mid-September, seven days a week from 9am to 7pm. Contact that Centro Lago Service, at the Grand Hotel Victoria on Via Castelli for further details.