The Growing Allure Of Italy’s Lake Iseo

The more popular Lakes Como and Garda draw the international jetset. But growing numbers of property in Italy investors are disregarding the hordes of tourists and instead choosing the unhurried banks of Lake Iseo nearby, a name that barely registers beyond the country’s borders but one that is no less enchanting than Lombardy’s better known stretches of water.Iseo boasts just as enticing properties, notably those offering exquisite views over the majestic blue stretch of water. There is one crucial difference: they are significantly more affordable, often costing scarcely half of those in Lake Garda, 20 miles to the east. Typically, a two-bedroom property looking over the lake can be yours for less than 90,000 Pounds Sterling, while a spacious three-bedroom villa with easy access to the shores can be snapped up for around twice that.

Additionally, a quartet of international airports are less than 55 miles away – two in Milan, one in nearby Bergamo and the fourth in Brescia. One clear signal to the burgeoning attraction of this secret gem is in the gradually rising number of vehicles with registration plates from Germany, France, Belgium and Holland on Iseo’s charming streets in high season.

Ms Stef Russo, head of Italian property search specialists The Property Organiser, said: “We’re telling our clients who are looking at Italy’s Lakes region to certainly take a look at Iseo. It’s an area that is somewhat unknown, unaffected by a mass tourist influx and close to several airports as well as the Swiss border. We believe the market here will rise in the coming years.”

To force home the point, property prices averaged over Italy’s lakes went down by 4.2% – reaching nearly 9% in some parts of Lake Maggiore, a 2009 report by property conglomerate Tecnocasa revealed. Lake Iseo weathered the storm best, showing a fall of under 2%.

The lake, also called Sebino, is sandwiched between Lakes Como and Garda and a few miles north of the cities of Bergamo and Brescia. Milan is around 85km south-west, or an hour by train and an hour and a half by car.

It is Italy’s seventh largest lake, some 24km by 5km , runs north to south and is sheltered by mountains. It is a heaven-sent spot for people who like to swim, dive, sail, windsurf, water-ski or fish.

The lake also contains Mt Isola, with around 2,000 inhabitants. The island, one of the lake’s chief attractions is linked to the shore by short ferry hops. Almost devoid of motor transport, the isle is very tranquil and is tailor-made to be explored by walking or cycling, in particular the paths to a church at the top of the island. Mt Isola has a thriving net-making industry, which began with fishermen’s nets but has now expanded to include hammocks and tennis and volleyball nets.

Returning to the lake’s shores, the eastern banks house the prettiest towns and villages, such as Sulzano, Sale Marasino and Iseo, with a steeper, rockier landscape on the opposite shores. Iseo is home to the greatest number of things to see, including an unfinished 900-year old church.

The surrounding countryside has several scenic vineyards and medieval monasteries and castles that can be found by walking, cycling or, even more leisurely, by horseriding. And in winter, Montecampione is famous for its skiing. Be warned that this bordering an Alpine region, a number of trekking and riding paths can be a steep climb. Adriana Giglioli