Villas in Lake Ledro

Some properties accept stays of less than a week, mostly in spring, June and from September. In July and August most want a full week. Check the minimum stay on each listing before you plan flights.

In Trentino, northern Italy, in a side valley above the northern tip of Lake Garda. Riva del Garda is around 15 to 20 minutes' drive away, and Verona airport around an hour and a half.

No, it is in Italy. Trentino was part of Austria-Hungary until 1918, which explains the Alpine look of the villages and the many German-speaking visitors, but the Austrian border at the Brenner Pass is more than two hours away by car.

Yes. There are four public beaches, at Pieve, Molina, Mezzolago and Pur, the last of which allows dogs. The water warms up through July and August, though it stays cooler than Lake Garda.

It is smaller and quieter, with grassy beaches and no ferry traffic, and Garda's towns and boats are a short drive away. If you want ferries, theme parks or a lively waterfront on the doorstep, stay on Lake Garda instead.

Swimming, paddleboarding and canoeing on the lake, the 10-kilometre path around it, the pile-dwelling museum at Molina, and mountain biking towards Tremalzo. Riva del Garda is close for boat trips on Lake Garda.

Not many. We list a few dozen, mostly around the lake and in Bezzecca, with a handful in Tiarno di Sotto. For July and August, book several months ahead.