As your plane begins its descent towards Rome, off to the north you will often see a blue teardrop nestling in the hills of northern Lazio, with two tiny islands close to its southern shore. This is Lake Bolsena, Europe’s largest volcanic lake – only an hour from the capital. For those familiar with the lakes of northern Italy, Bolsena will be something of an eye-opener: far from being a mass tourism destination, this area is still largely unspoilt, with a rich heritage of traditions and history.

The only essential item for this itinerary is a car. This will allow you to explore the region at your ease, without relying on the few available bus services. Then, along with your map, don’t forget to take your swimming costume. Thanks to an elaborate – and expensive – purification system, Lake Bolsena is one of Italy’s cleanest lakes so you don’t want to miss out on a swim.