Guide to the lakes of Orta & Iseo, and the Alpine towns of Cogne & Courmayeur

Our unique Lakes & Mountains summer holiday and short break programme features Lake Orta, Lake Iseo, Cogne and Courmayeur -  some of the most beautiful and unspoiled Alpine areas of Italy.
Enjoy the breathtaking high mountain scenery around Mont Blanc or the Gran Paradiso, or stroll by the scenic shores of Lake Orta or Lake Iseo, two of the picturesque, but lesser known Italian lakes.

The hotels, all personally selected for our Lakes & Mountain holidays, offer distinct Italian character with excellent standards of accommodation, food and service.

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 5 minute 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.

Cogne

Cogne is a picturesque Alpine town on the border of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy’s foremost National Park, created in 1922. The park spans a vast area of mountain territory rising from 1,534m on the valley floor to 4,0410m at the summit of the Gran Paradiso itself.

It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with dramatic peaks and glaciers, extensive Alpine meadows and forests, and a huge range of Alpine flora.  The park is also prized for its chamois, golden eagles, ptarmigan, marmots and rare butterflies.

Cogne is an ideal base for walkers, allowing easy access to some of the area’s most beautiful scenery and wild flowers. Relax around the village, take a stroll up the Val Nontey, visit the Lillaz waterfalls, or try an altogether more challenging walk with the aim of reaching your first 4000m peak.  There are numerous walks for all tastes and our holiday information pack will offer some suggested itineraries.

Not to be missed is the Botanic garden which contains a large collection of Alpine plants.

The hotels of Cogne provide a high standard of service and hospitality, many of them having been in the same families for generations. The village also boasts many excellent restaurants.

The wonderful Hotel Bellevue (Relais & Chateau) is renowned not only for its Michelin starred restaurant, but also for its antiques and objets d’arte.

Courmayeur

Courmayeur is a chic Italian town with Mont Blanc as a back drop.

The extensive mountain area offers a huge range of walking options on well marked paths.  Leisurely walks in the unspoiled valleys of Val Veny and Val Ferret provide magnificent views over the rocky south face of Mont Blanc, the glaciers and the spectacular peaks of Grandes Jorasses and Aiguille Noir.

During the summer months a 90 minute cable car ride will take you over the Mont Blanc Massif itself, from where the views are simply stunning.

The thermal baths in Pre St Didier are not to be missed. Situated just 3km from Courmayeur, they offer a range of indoor and outdoor spa pools and treatments in unique surroundings with views towards Mont Blanc.

Courmayeur offers a wide range of holiday accommodation options with some excellent hotels in the outlying historic hamlet of Entreves, as well as in central Courmayeur. The hotels selected for our Courmayeur summer holidays provide high levels of comfort as well as excellent food.

Nature Guides and Alpine Guides may be booked via the Aosta Valley Tourist Offices for specific or more demanding mountain excursions.