Italy's Gorgeous Lakes Are a Traveler's Best-Kept Secret

Every year, travelers flock to Italy to enjoy its famous mix of historical cities, artistic culture, and culinary delights. Its enduring popularity is a wondrous draw for crowds, so much so that it’s also great to escape the lovely, smaller lakes in the countryside to enjoy fantastic scenery and delightful adventure as you breathe in the fresh, clean air. As idyllic travel spots go, Italian lakes are some of the best-kept secrets in Europe. Here are a few of our favorites:

Lake Turano/Lago del Turano

When the heat and crowds of Rome feel too aggressive, drive 60 miles northeast into Lazio and unwind by the turquoise-hued Lago del Turano. Nestled below forested mountain peaks in the Raiti province, this secluded valley became an unexpected destination for travel in the late 1930s. As Italian engineers built a dam to produce hydroelectric power for the area, they also created a reservoir that became a summertime oasis for citizens of the Eternal City. As you head toward the tranquil waters, you’ll enjoy pastoral visions of grazing sheep and cattle.

Once you arrive at the lake, you’ll discover a gorgeous scene and enjoy warm, crystalline water that laps against pebbled shores. When it’s warm, you can sunbathe, take a dip, rent a canoe, or sign up for a tour on a fishing boat. You can also take a trip up the hills to visit the ancient Colle di Tora and the medieval Castel di Tora, which connects to the main road via a metal bridge. In winter, the area is largely deserted, but in spring, those with holiday homes return, decorate their patios with flowers, and meet in the piazza for drinks or stop by L’Angoletto for a dinner of fresh fish.