Mild and sun-drenched, with gorgeous Alpine views but also beaches, northern Italy’s glacial lakes have been popular since Roman times and offer something for everyone, from families looking for fun in the great outdoors (especially water sports, hiking and treetop adventures) to couples angling for a romantic getaway in a grande dame hotel or boutique retreat (well, if it’s good enough for George and Amal Clooney…)

The Italian Lakes are also a paradise for plant-lovers, with lots of famously lovely gardens thanks to that mild climate, especially around Lake Maggiore, which is divided between the Lombardy and Piedmont regions and extends to the Swiss border, and Lake Como.