Camping Kursaal

Much of the joy of a stay in the Italian lakes is in pottering about in the little villages (making sure you keep cool with the aid of plenty of gelato, of course). You might also consider clambering up to the top of the castle in Passignano sul Trasimeno (10 minutes’ walk) for far-reaching views, taking off to Tuoro sul Trasimeno (10 minutes’ drive) for a boat trip to Isola Maggiore and/or touring the highly decorous Palazzo della Corgna in Castiglione del Lago (20 minutes’ drive). Something a little more energetic in mind (perhaps to work off the effects of all that gelato)? Hit the dirt on a quad bike tour 10 minutes away, swing your clubs at one of the golf courses within a half-hour drive or wend your way through the treetops at the Saltalbero Adventure Park (40 minutes away). It’s a fine idea to factor in time for some city day trips too: Perugia (25 minutes’ drive), Assisi (40 minutes) and Siena (an hour) are all easily doable and utterly gorgeous, as is Montepulciano (35 minutes) – for its Renaissance palaces as much as its wineries.