The number of Italian beaches to be awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for clean water and pristine sands has risen again this year according to the International Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). With 7458 km of coastline, beach enthusiasts have plenty of options, from quiet, isolated sandy beaches to busy resorts offering various activities and services. At the same time, with over twenty lakes spread around the country, Italy also offers the chance to enjoy the tranquility of a holiday by the lake. The most famous area is the Lake District which stretches across Northern Italy and combines good weather with attractive scenery and an interesting cultural heritage. This week we took you around Lake Maggiore and its interesting islands. Whether you like the beach or prefer the lake, Italy boasts the best of both worlds, your ideal holiday should just combine the two.