Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Lake Iseo and Franciacorta

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Monte Isola ferry

Dogs of every size ride the Navigazione Lago d'Iseo boats with a muzzle and a lead, or in a closed carrier. The muzzle is compulsory even for a small dog in your arms, and a bag or backpack doesn't count as a carrier. The dog ticket is EUR 1.30 a trip. There's no hotel on Monte Isola on our list, so do it as a day trip.

Wineries

The Franciacorta consortium's winery directory tags 60 of its 118 members as open to pets, among them Barone Pizzini, Castello Bonomi, Ricci Curbastro, Monte Rossa, Mosnel, La Montina and Bersi Serlini. Some big names aren't tagged either way. Expect the dog to wait in the courtyard or on the terrace during the cellar part of a tour, and say you're bringing a dog when you book.

Swimming

No official dog beach on Lake Iseo is published. Lido Sassabanek, Iseo's main paying lido, keeps dogs out entirely, but that's one site. Dogs swim from the free shoreline in practice, so check the local signs.

Fees

EUR 7 a day at Ambasciatori, or EUR 10 if you don't declare the dog at booking. EUR 10 at La Pieve and Vulcano Village, EUR 15 at Armonia, EUR 18 at Araba Fenice, EUR 20 at Porta Picta and EUR 25 at Life Hotel. Ulivi, Villa Fenaroli, Relais Mirabella, I Due Roccoli, Cappello d'Oro and Excelsior San Marco don't publish a figure, so ask.

Dogs alone in the room

Armonia and Ambasciatori don't allow dogs to be left alone in the room. Ambasciatori will find you a dog sitter. Most other hotels here don't say, so ask before you plan a dinner out.

Getting there

Bergamo Orio al Serio is the nearest airport, about 40 minutes by road to Iseo and 20 to Bergamo. Brescia is on the Milan to Venice high-speed line, and the Brescia to Iseo to Edolo line runs up the east shore via Sulzano for the Monte Isola ferry. Train dog rules weren't published clearly, so check before you travel.

Buses in Bergamo

ATB buses and the T1 tram take dogs of any size with a muzzle and lead, at a passenger fare, and a driver can refuse a dog on a crowded bus. The rule doesn't mention the funiculars separately, so ask at the Città Alta station.

Vets

In Brescia, Happy Friends on Via Triumplina and the Ospedale Veterinario Santa Chiara are both described as open 24 hours. Ring ahead to confirm. By the lake and in Bergamo, ask your hotel for the nearest vet on arrival.

Best walks

The Vello to Toline path between Marone and Pisogne, about 5 km of old shore road closed to cars, is the best walk on the lake. Iseo's promenade along Lungolago Marconi, the Paratico lakefront and the bridge over the Oglio to Sarnico, the Lovere promenade and Clusane's little harbour all make easy lake walks. The Riserva Naturale Torbiere del Sebino, just south of Iseo, has boardwalk paths across the peat bogs, though its dog rules aren't published. In Bergamo walk the Viale delle Mura along the Venetian walls, and in Brescia climb to the Castello on Cidneo hill or use the dog area in Parco Marconi.

When to go

July and August are hot and humid on the lake and in the vineyards, so walk early and keep to the shade of the lakefront plane trees and the Città Alta walls. Spring and early autumn are kinder for long walks and cellar visits with a dog.