Guide to the Italian  lakes of Orta & Iseo

Echo Travel's unique Italian Lakes summer holiday and short break programme features Lake Orta and Lake Iseo - two of the most beautiful, enchanting and unspoiled lakes in Italy.

Our personally selected hotels are chosen for their outstanding locations as well as their Italian character, excellent standards of service and top class restaurants.

Our comprehensive Echo Travel Information Pack provides well researched itineraries and will give you all the guidance and local information that you need to make the most of your precious time in Italy.

This will include our up to date guide to your holiday destination with maps, detailed local information and sightseeing itineraries, as well as indications as to the best places to eat and drink.

Lake Orta

The small glacial lake of Orta, less developed than many of the Italian lakes, has a serene and tranquil beauty.

It is surrounded by high wooded hills, has a picturesque lake island to visit, and its shores are dotted with small medieval villages.

Of the handsome lakeside villages, Orta San Giulio is the most notable, a charming town of narrow streets, quiet piazzas, frescoed buildings and lakeside cafés.

Boat excursions can be made to the delightful island of Isola di San Giulio, home to the 12th-century Romanesque church with its immense Gothic pulpit and tomb of St Julius.

The Hotel San Rocco is set in a perfect location on the shores of Lake Orta, just a couple of minutes walk from Orta San Giulio, with splendid views across the lake to the island of San Giulio.   

Lake Iseo

Set between the better-known lakes of Como and Garda, Iseo is the smallest of Lombardy's four major lakes, but is a true jewel, with dramatic mountain scenery to the north and the delightful Franciacorta vineyards in the rolling hills to the south.

Iseo town has a relaxed ambience, wide squares and a lovely lake side promenade with splendid views of the lake and Monte Isola.

There are regular ferries from Iseo for the short crossing to the delightful coastal villages of both Peschiere and Sensole on Monte Isola, which at 3km in length is one of the largest lake islands in Europe.

In cooler weather you may walk up to the 13th century Santuario della Madonna della Cerinole, which at an altitude of 600m, is the highest point on the lake island. A gentler walk, with bathing opportunities en-route, is possible along the southern coast, between the villages of Peschiera Maraglio and Sensole.

The Due Roccoli hotel is a charming hotel set in extensive grounds in a magnificent panoramic position overlooking the lake. It is well known in the local area for its excellent restaurant.

A car is recommended for holidays at the Hotel Due Roccoli.