Aside from Como, there’s Lake Iseo, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Garda, which is the largest. Straddling two regions — Lombardia to the west and Veneto to the east — Lake Garda is an underrated gem.

VICENZA, Italy — U.S. paratroopers had a liquid drop zone this week, with Lake Garda serving as the latest scene of water airborne operations training for members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

If you want to escape Lake Garda's hustle and bustle, or the busy cities of Verona and Brescia, you will find plenty of other opportunities for swimming, fishing and sports nearby. Here is a ...