With their mild climate, clear blue waters, and lush vegetation, the Italian Lakes are blessed with natural beauty. Add sports, culture, fashion, gastronomy and Hollywood celebrities, and you have the perfect holiday destination. Explore Italian Lakes, part of a brand-new series, is your perfect companion to the region with 18 self-guided walking routes - from Lake Como, the most romantic of the Lakes, and small but charming Lake Iseo, to the cities of Bergamo and Milan for a taste of urban chic. Insight's trademark cultural coverage sets the routes in context, with introductions to the local cuisine, as well as shopping, entertainment and key historical dates. Hand-picked places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route and in the directory section, which contains useful practical information, including carefully selected hotels to suit all budgets and useful phrases in Italian. All routes are plotted on the pull-out map, and evocative photography captures the breathtaking beauty of the lakes.