Lake Como is a great starting point for your family holiday and while here you could head out on a classic Italian style water limo and cruise around the lake, perhaps with a picnic. On the boat you can stop off at Villa del Balbianello, which fans of James Bond or Star Wars might recognise from certain films, or visit Isola Comacina, a pretty wooded island on the lake.

When you fancy something a bit more active, you and the children can enjoy various watersports on the lakes, whether that be waterskiing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or sailing. Back on dry land, explore the local area as a family by bike, riding along the various cycling trails that surround the lakes; we can suggest the best trails depending on the ages and abilities of your children.

If you'd like a little bit of culture after all that activity, visit the fortress of Rocca Scaligera on the edge of Lake Garda, a 13th century citadel in Sirmione, or the UNESCO protected archaeological park Rocca di Manerba, where you can explore the medieval castle ruins and scenic nature reserve.

The short driving distances around the region mean that combining time at multiple lakes is perfectly possible, and means that you can see more of the beautiful Italian countryside along the way. To extend your family road trip further, add on some time in the Dolomites, where more family-friendly adventures await, or visit Venice for a touch of culture.