As temperatures climb and the humidity soars in the late spring, locals escape the heat by flocking to any of the four lakes where the water has passed official water quality tests: Maggiore, Mergozzo, Monate and Orta.

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Most lakeside towns have at least one easy-to-access beach and the water quality is nearly always good enough to allow swimming. 

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Beaches on the shores of the lowland lakes come in a variety of shapes, forms and colours.

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They may cover anything from manicured lakeside lawns offering a full range of amenities to diminutive hidden coves made up of a mixture of stones and gravel.

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If you prefer beaches where you can sink your toes into golden sand, you’ll even find a couple of those too.

Outside the hot summer months, after a strenuous day hiking or skiing in the mountains, what could be better than soaking away your aches and pains in a glorious pool of hot water.

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The area between Lago Maggiore and the Swiss border is blessed with just one major hot spring/spa centre: Premia as well as a recently renovated stone tub full of warm water on the Swiss Italian border.

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