Hi Team,

I was just after some advice as to the best way to finish off our 3 week trip to Italy this Summer. We will be travelling at the beginning of July and for our last 3 nights before we fly out we would like to spend our time on one of the Italian Lakes. Preceding this portion we will have spent time in Rome, Positano, a Tuscan farm stay and Cinque Terra. I realise that at this time of the year it is likely to be very busy but our dates are fixed unfortunately.

We are a family of 4 with our two children being aged 10 and 7. We would like to enjoy some swimming and lake cruises as well as some (short) hikes and good food and wine (for the adults obviously). We will probably look to stay in an BnB ideally. We will have our own hire car and we will be leaving the lakes and heading directly to Milan in order to fly home.

What would be your suggestion as to the best lake for a family trip? Initially I was thinking of staying in Bellagio on Lake Como but I've heard that it may be bit boring for the kids. Would somewhere on Lake Maggiore be better suited for us, noting that it is also closer to Milan airport? If so, what town would you suggest to stay at? Obviously we could split our time and do both (our others) but I prefer not to stay in any place for less than 3 nights ideally.

Thanks in advance.

I have been a few times to Lago Maggiore, my favorite of the 3 big ones (Orta, a smaller one, is lovely too), including years ago with children. I have always stayed in Stresa. There is plenty for children to do there, at the lake, on the ground, and up in the mountains. It will likely be fairly busy in July, but not overwhelming the way the Cinque Terre are. And the train to Milano is a breeze (but I hope you're not suggesting going straight from the lakes (whichever you choose) to board an international flight).

Lake Maggiore is quite near MXP. We prefer Lake Como but , I agree, with children Stresa would offer more.

Yep, our plan was to depart the lake directly for the airport for our flight home. That being said, home is Dubai so it's not exactly a long-haul flight. Flight departure is likely to be around 9:30am so it won't be an insanely early start in order to get to the airport. I'm hoping that it is doable because I wasn't really interested in staying in Milan for a night.

You need to be at the airport 3 hours early for an international flight. That means 6:30 am. If you'll still be dealing with the hire car, you'll need to know if the rental outfit is open at that time of day, and give yourselves plenty of time to go through the formalities of turning in the car and getting to your terminal. In my pretty considerable experience, that is a bad, bad plan.

May be your kids could be interested in:
Tamaro Park: Splash e Spa + Monte Tamaro
https://www.swissminiatur.ch/swissminiatur/fr/
https://www.montelema.ch/de/aktivitaeten/mountainbike/
https://www.montegeneroso.ch/en/acti.../the-bear-cave
https://www.montegeneroso.ch/en/acti...-sport/chamois
Parco Avventura Gordola, Tarzaning, Adventure Park, Freizeitpark, Hochseilgarten, Klettergarten, Seilpark, Parc aventure, Gordola, Tenero, Tessin, Schweiz
https://www.ticinotopten.ch/en/views/monte-san-giorgio

I enjoyed Stresa a whole lot too and yes parks and kids' play areas by the lake.

Thanks for the replies so far team.
I think I'm now leaning towards Lake Maggiore and staying in Stresa vice staying over in Bellagio.

Does anyone have any specific activities in Stresa that they found enjoyable for the children (aged 10 and 7)?
Additionally, is there a swimming area in close proximity to the township as well?

The Mottarone cablecar

Taking the trenino to the Parco and Zoo Pallavicino

The AquaAdventure Park in Baveno; the public beach at Villa Fedora; the Lido Blu Beach; the beach right smack in the middle of town; La Baia Rosa pool

Taking the ferries and water taxis to other lake towns

The white peacocks on Isola Bella

La Rocca in Angera