| The better-known Lakes Como, Maggiore, Garda and | | | | Northern Italy's lakes dropped by more than 4% - |
| Orta draw the international jetset. But growing | | | | plunging by nearly 9% in some parts of Lake |
| numbers of property hunters who come to Northern | | | | Maggiore, a study last year by a leading property in |
| Italy's Lakes region have instead discovered the | | | | Italy conglomerate revealed. But Iseo was the |
| delights of the peaceful banks of Lake Iseo nearby, | | | | best-performing lake, with a fall of under 2%. The |
| a name that barely registers outside Italy but one | | | | lake, also called Sebino, is between Lakes Garda and |
| that is no less enchanting than Italy's better known | | | | Como and a few miles from Brescia and Bergamo. |
| waters. | | | | Milan is 80km away, or one hour by rail and 1hr |
| Lake Iseo features just as appealing properties, in | | | | 30mins driving. |
| particular if they have breathtaking views looking | | | | It is Italy's seventh biggest lake, some 24km by |
| over the shore. But the difference is that they are | | | | 5km, runs north to south and is overlooked by |
| far less pricy, often costing barely half of what you | | | | mountains. It is a relaxing spot for swimmers, divers, |
| would face in Lake Garda, just over 30km away. | | | | sailors, windsurfers, water-skiers and anglers. Iseo's |
| Typically, around US$275,000 should get you a | | | | waters enclose the scenic Monte Isola, with around |
| three-bedroom villa near the lake, while from just | | | | 2,000 inhabitants. The island, one of the lake's chief |
| $135,000 you can purchase a lake-view apartment | | | | attractions is linked to the shore by short ferry hops. |
| with a couple of bedrooms. | | | | Almost devoid of motor transport, the isle has an |
| Additionally, a quartet of international airports are | | | | oasis-like calm and is perfect to be explored on foot |
| within a 55-mile radius - one in Brescia, one in | | | | or bicycle. The island is also known net-making |
| Bergamo and two in Milan. One clear signal to the | | | | industry, which started with fishing nets but later |
| mounting attraction of this secret gem is evident in | | | | expanded to include hammocks and tennis and |
| the growing number of cars with number plates from | | | | volleyball nets. |
| France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany on | | | | Returning to the lake's shores, the most picturesque |
| Iseo's charming lanes and roads in high season. | | | | towns are on the eastern side, such as Iseo, Marone |
| Stefania Russo of Italian property finders The | | | | and Sulzano. Iseo has the greatest number of |
| Property Organiser said: "We're telling our clients who | | | | attractions, including an unfinished 900-year old |
| are considering buying in bigger lakes such as Como | | | | church. The surrounding countryside is dotted with |
| and Maggiore to certainly consider Iseo. It's an area | | | | charming medieval buildings that can be found by |
| that is relatively unknown, unspoilt by huge numbers | | | | walking, cycling or, even more leisurely, by horseriding. |
| of tourists and within good vicinity of a clutch of | | | | And in winter, Montecampione attracts hordes of |
| airports as well as neighbouring Switzerland. We | | | | amateur skiers. Consider, however, that with the |
| believe the real estate market here will rise in the | | | | Alps close by, a number of trekking and riding paths |
| coming years." | | | | involve steep inclines. |
| To buttress the point, property prices throughout | | | | |