Kayaking the Italian Lake District, a nine-day trip by Tofino Expeditions, offers the chance to paddle across northern Italy's lakes.
It includes paddling in Italy's Piedmont and Lombardy regions and in Switzerland's Ticino.
The weather is typically mild and sunny and the waters warm and swimmable.
A lively culture of local boats in many of the towns gives the air of small fishing villages.
Along the paddling route are a bridge dating to Roman times, richly forested mountainsides, rugged cliffs and remote islands evoking a rich Mediterranean heritage.
On Lago Maggiore paddlers are treated to a view from the water of the 13th century Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso which seems to cling to the cliff face.
This second largest lake in Italy was the setting for Ernest Hemmingway's Farewell to Arms.
On the western and Italian side of Maggiore guests paddle around the villas and gardens of the Borromoean Islands, a group of three small islands and two islets.