Your Ultimate Italian Lakes Vacation At Your Own Pace Beckons From Here

Bask in the Art Nouveau atmosphere of the Villas and deluxe hotels that dot the lakeside or drive to Mottarone Peak straddling Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta with view of both lakes and Swiss and Italian Alps. (B)

Drive to Milan (approx. 55 miles) and see the astounding Duomo with its spires, pinnacles, gables and countless statues. An unforgettable sight. Nearby are the Scala Opera House and not too far the monumental Sforzesco Castle. You exit Milan and travel to Como (approx. 30 miles), a town set on a lake offering the largest variety of pretty villages, tiny ports, villas set in shady, exotic gardens, succeeding one another in the alpine foothills. (B)

Explore Como. Admire its Renaissance Cathedral and the adjacent Broletto. At the resort of Cernobbio, see the elegant Villa d'Este, now converted to a hotel. (B)

Visit two interesting towns on the way to Lake Garda. The first is Bergamo (approx. 39 miles), a city totally encircled by walls. Visit the Medieval Upper Town and, if having lunch, enjoy succulent Lombard specialties and pastry. Continue to Brescia (approx. 34 miles). Here the local landmarks of piazzas and churches also include Roman ruins. Continue on to Gardone Riviera (approx. 20 miles), a great resort with villas and hotels surrounded by large parks on the shore that have preserved their original 19th century Liberty style. (B)

Drop off your car and say ''arrivederci'' to Italy or extend your stay. (B)