Como, Garda, and Maggiore — three extraordinary lakes, three distinct characters. VIPMAKKI's definitive guide helps you choose the perfect Italian Lakes experience for your next luxury escape.
The undisputed sovereign of the Italian Lakes. A glittering amphitheatre of palatial villas, manicured gardens, and cobalt waters that has drawn aristocracy, Hollywood royalty, and the world's most discerning travellers for centuries. Bellagio, the pearl of the lake, sits at the junction of its three branches — a maze of cobbled staircases, silk shops, and lake-view terraces that have changed little since Stendhal fell under their spell in 1817.
Como is for the connoisseur who values discretion, elegance, and a certain old-world formality. Afternoons are spent drifting past Villa d'Este and Villa Balbianello aboard a vintage Riva, evenings at candlelit tables in hidden garden restaurants accessible only by boat. VIPMAKKI secures the lake's most coveted suites at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Villa d'Este, and Mandarin Oriental — often when the hotels report no availability.
The largest and most dramatically varied of the Italian Lakes, Garda cleaves northern Italy with an almost fjord-like intensity at its upper reaches before softening into gentle, Mediterranean shores towards the south. This is a lake of two distinct personalities — the windswept, Alpine north with its world-class sailing and windsurfing conditions, and the sun-drenched, cypress-lined south that recalls the gentle rhythms of the Veneto.
Garda appeals to the active connoisseur. Days are spent kitesurfing off Torbole, cycling the legendary Strada della Forra, exploring the medieval fortress of Sirmione, or easing into thermal waters at Aquardens. VIPMAKKI arranges private heli-transfers between lakeside golf clubs, exclusive use of vintage wooden sailboats, and tables at the region's finest trattorias where the olive oil and wine have been produced on-site for generations.
The most understated and, for those who know, the most beguiling of the three great lakes. Maggiore straddles the border between Italy and Switzerland, its western shore rising into the forested slopes of Piedmont while the Borromean Islands float at its centre like jewelled ornaments — Isola Bella with its baroque palace and terraced gardens, Isola dei Pescatori with its tiny fishing village, and Isola Madre with its botanical garden paradise.
Maggiore rewards the traveller who values tranquillity over visibility. Its belle-époque grand hotels, such as the legendary Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées in Stresa, evoke a gentler era of travel when European royalty summered along these shores. VIPMAKKI arranges private island tours, exclusive wine tastings in the Nebbiolo-producing hills of Ghemme and Gattinara, and helicopter transfers that trace the lake's sinuous shoreline.
Each lake possesses a distinct character. Como offers sophistication and glamour, Garda delivers variety and adventure, while Maggiore rewards with understated romance. VIPMAKKI crafts bespoke itineraries across all three, often combining two lakes in a single journey.
| Como | Garda | Maggiore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Sophisticated luxury | Active exploration | Romantic seclusion |
| Signature Experience | Vintage Riva boat tour | Kitesurfing & sailing | Borromean Islands tour |
| Iconic Hotels | Villa d'Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo | Lefay Resort & Spa, Villa Cortine | Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées |
| Best Season | May–September | April–October | May–September |
| Access | Milan Malpensa (50 min) | Verona Airport (30 min) | Milan Malpensa (40 min) |
| VIPMAKKI Edge | Private villa buyouts, heli-dining | Bespoke golf & wine itineraries | Private island events |
From the world's finest hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to superyacht charters and private aviation — every luxury experience, curated by VIPMAKKI.
Whether it's a honeymoon on Como, an active family escape on Garda, or a romantic retreat on Maggiore, VIPMAKKI crafts the definitive Italian Lakes experience. Private villas, vintage Riva boats, heli-transfers between lakes, and tables at the most coveted lakeside restaurants.
Lake Como offers the most complete introduction to the Italian Lakes experience. Its combination of iconic villas, world-class hotels, excellent dining, and easily navigable geography makes it ideal for first-time visitors. VIPMAKKI recommends a four-night minimum to experience Bellagio, Varenna, and a private villa tour.
Absolutely. VIPMAKKI specialises in multi-lake itineraries that combine two or even all three lakes in a single journey. A popular route begins at Maggiore, continues to Como, and concludes at Garda, with private helicopter transfers between each lake to maximise time and provide spectacular aerial views of the Alps and lake district.
May through September offers the finest weather, with June and September being the sweet spots — warm days, comfortable evenings, and fewer crowds than the July-August peak. April and October can be magical for those who prefer cooler temperatures and misty Alpine atmospheres. VIPMAKKI secures the best suites and tables in every season.
VIPMAKKI unlocks experiences unavailable to the general public — private after-hours tours of Villa Balbianello, exclusive use of vintage Riva Aquarama boats, heli-dining itineraries that combine Michelin-starred restaurants across multiple lakes in one evening, and access to private villas and estates that never appear on booking platforms. We also manage every logistical detail, from airport helicopter transfers to on-the-ground concierge support in every lakeside town.