Doorways Villa Vacations Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE ITALIAN LAKES
January 2012
Bellagio
Kit Burns, PresidentGreetings!

Are the northern Italian Lakes (Como, Maggiore, Lugano, Orta and Garda) beautiful but boring? That idea is all wet! 

I hope this newsletter will show that you can easily spend a week or a month in this marvelous and varied region. The beauty is extraordinary; and, if you can tear yourself away from your terrace, there are activities to keep the most avid hikers, cyclists, boaters, foodies, wine connoisseurs, golfers, explorers, culture seekers, piazza sitters, art lovers, people watchers, shoppers, spa goers and night clubbers happy for a month or more. The season is April through October. Take the plunge!

Sincerely,
 signature
Kit Burns
Doorways Ltd.
WHICH LAKE?
map of the lakes
Take your pick. Each has its own unique personality.
  • Lake Como, Europe's deepest lake, is the most well known, especially since George Clooney moved to the neighborhood.
  • Lake Maggiore is the longest of the lakes; its northern tip lies across the border in Switzerland. 
  • Lake Orta is small and quiet, the least known and most romantic of the lakes. 
  • Lake Garda is located between Venice and Milan and is the largest of the lakes.
  • Lake Lugano is located between Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy.
TOP 10 REASONS TO GO TO THE LAKES

1. SCENERY: Enjoy extreme beauty and classic images of Italy - small villages of pastel cottages with blossoming balconies set against a backdrop of snowy Alpine peaks plunging into sparkling blue water.

 

2. CLIMATE: The micro-climate of the lakes means plenty of sunshine and palm trees, as well as figs, olive trees, lemons and pomegranates. Lake Maggiore is famous for its camelias, and every lake boasts botanical gardens to delight horticulturists. Many grand villas and gardens are open to the public for touring. 

 

3. CUISINE: Piedmont meets Lombardy in the lakes, with the common theme being the bounty of the waters. The cuisine is varied and includes polenta and risotto in addition to pasta, with wonderful cheeses and wines, not to mention desserts 

 

4. SHOPPING: Each village has a weekly market, where you will find leather goods, pottery, jewelry, flowers, silk and food. Three quarters of Europe's silk comes from Como. For bargains, visit the factory outlets at Foxtown, just over the Swiss border. Don't forget your passport!  

 

5. BOATS: The best way to see the lakes is from the lakes! Take a scenic lake cruise and enjoy spectacular scenery, stopping wherever you like. Or use the ferry for transportation to cross the lake, with or without your car.  

 

6. MILAN: Just half an hour from Lake Como, Milan has wonderful shopping and dining, the third largest cathedral in Europe, the world-renowned La Scala opera house and Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. 

 

7. THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS: Isola Bella is known for its Baroque palace and gardens, Isola dei Pescatori for its fishing village atmosphere, and Isola Madre for its exotic birds, semi-tropical gardens and Europe's largest Kashmir cypress, which is over 200 years old and struggling to survive after being badly damaged in a storm in 2006. 

 

8. BELLAGIO: Known as the 'pearl of the lake," Bellagio is considered one of Europe's most beautiful towns. Lake Como is in the shape of an inverted "Y" with Bellagio at the center, where the two arms of the lake converge.  

 

9. ACTIVITIES - GOLF TO GARDALAND: Play golf or take advantage of the water sports and hiking possibilities on the lakes. Families with kids will want to visit Gardaland, Italy's largest amusement park. Doorways can also arrange a visit to one of Italy's top cheesemakers; you can visit the grottoes where his cheese is stored, learn about pairings with food and wine, and have a tasting. The lakes are also convenient for daytrips into Switzerland.  

 

George Clooney
10. GEORGE CLOONEY: Even if you stay in one of our villas that are close to George Clooney's villa in Laglio, you're not likely to see him. However, you can see the same scenery and dine at some of the same restaurants as George, and you can enjoy the same air of relaxed elegance that is quintessential to the Italian Lake experience.
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SAVE ON AN ITALIAN VILLA IN THE LAKES DURING JANUARY
 
villa

The value of the Euro has declined more than 15% from its height of trading for the U.S. dollar in 2008. This is good news for those who have been dreaming of an Italian villa vacation. Doorways invites you to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate by offering a discount.
Save 10% on most of our villas on the Lakes when you book and confirm by January 31st.*
 
* new 2012 bookings only
SLIDE SHOW: ITALIAN VILLA HONEYMOON
 
lake como

To celebrate her recent marriage, Doorways sent European Specialist Ellen Sinoff on a most delightful assigment: to see Doorways' villas in the lakes, with plenty of time to relax and explore.
KIDS' PICKS
 
gardaland


* Visit Gardaland, the Disneyland of Italy.

 

* Swim in the lakes.

 

* Play mini-golf in Stresa.

* See the inventions at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

* Skip stones on the beach of Santa Maria Maggiore.

* Visit Swiss Minatur near Lugano to see authentic models of well-known Swiss sights, set in a park with gardens and a playground.

* Ride the ferries or take a funicular to the top of Mount Generoso on Lake Lugano.

* Try a new flavor of gelato every day and decide which is your favorite.

* Climb to the roof of the Duomo in Milan (or take an elevator). On a clear day, you can see the Matterhorn!
"This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty." 
Percy Bysshe Shelley 

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