The Italian lakes are famous for their stunning landscapes of pastel painted waterside towns and villages, world class gardens, luxurious mosiacs and historic islands. This northern corner of Italy is a famous haunt of celebrities, couples and families. The area has an atmosphere…Read More

The Italian lakes are famous for their stunning landscapes of pastel painted waterside towns and villages, world class gardens, luxurious mosiacs and historic islands. This northern corner of Italy is a famous haunt of celebrities, couples and families. The area has an atmosphere of romance and elegance, although the towns and roads do get busy in the summer months.

Of the 3 or 4 Italian lakes that form these inviting blue splodges on the map of the Lombardy Plain, Garda is the largest. Como and Maggiore are both beautiful, but Garda is by far I think, the best suited to families.

The lakeside towns around Garda aare beautiful and have charmed foreign visitors for centuries. The colours are vivid and the geography is varied. The southern lakeshore is low, rolling land and in parts built up. The northern end is fjord-like and dramatic with its towering mountains and cliffs. Most of the lakeside towns are popular as holiday resorts.

There are splendid, slightly decaying villas in soft pinks, lush greenery and beautiful lake front towns. Parts of the lake enjoy a micro-climate which has resulted in the beautiful gardens in the villas around its fringes. Many of the towns are surrounded by lemon groves.

The main highlights of our stay were:

* Moniga del Garda - a tiny resort on the southern edge of the lake and our base for the week. It was a perfect place to come back to after a day of sightseeing and exploring. Quiet and relaxed, it has a few restaurants and bars on the lakeshore and is a lovely place for a stroll in the evening. It also enjoys sunny weather most days - even when the more northerly resorts had cloud and rain.

* Sirmione - a gem of a place, with its lovely castle and views over the lakes from the ramparts. It also has some amazing Roman ruins on a promontory. The ruins are fascinating, but the views from this area over the water are unforgettable.

* The cable car ride from Malcesine up to the top of Monte Baldo - again wonderful views of the Lake and the towns of Malcesine and Limone are delightful.

* Travelling on the high speed ferry up the Lake to Riva - the most northerly resort, watching the scenery change from gentle hills to huge craggy mountains as you speed up the lake. Also then taking the slow boat back again and having more time to soak up the glorious scenes unfolding before you.

   Close

We flew from the UK into Venice Treviso on a low-cost airline. We were having a few days in Venice at the end of our break at Lake Garda, so this was the best option for us.There are plenty of flights and airports closer,…Read More

We flew from the UK into Venice Treviso on a low-cost airline. We were having a few days in Venice at the end of our break at Lake Garda, so this was the best option for us.

There are plenty of flights and airports closer, but it takes about 2 hours to drive from Treviso to the southern edge of the lake. The roads are toll roads, easy to navigate on and simple and pleasant to drive on.

At the lake itself, we used a mixture of our hire car and the ferries to get around.

Ferries are probably the best way of getting around the lake. The bonus is that you can soak up the sun while gazing at the dramatic scenery drifting by. As you travel north on the lake, you can see just how dramatic the lakeside mountains are and see so much more than you would from the road.

The car ferries offer good value for money. They are not as quick as some of the other boats, but they are the cheapest and allow you to take your car over the lake if you wish. There are 3 decks - the bottom one for vehicles, the middle deck has seating and toilets and the top deck is open.

The high speed ferries are a great fun experience. You get whisked over the lake at high speeds. They only tend to stop at the largest lakeside towns.

You can buy tickets at any major port. The kiosks close to the landing stations sell tickets and have timetables. Always make sure you can get a return boat back in time. Many boat services end by 5 or 6 in the evening, so plan ahead and do not get stranded.

Travelling along the lakeshore by car is also a fun thing to do - there are many tunnels to travel through as you go north through the mountains. The most recent James Bond film was made in this area, and they used some of these tunnel scenes in the movie. The only downside to using the car is it can take quite a long time to travel a relatively short distance. The towns do tend to be a bit congested and the traffic is slow moving, so plan for this before you set out.   Close

* In the summer the waters of the lake are warm and clean. You can rent pedaloes and go out into the lake - lots of fun. There are beaches, but these are stony and small. They also tend, in the daytime,…Read More

* In the summer the waters of the lake are warm and clean. You can rent pedaloes and go out into the lake - lots of fun. There are beaches, but these are stony and small. They also tend, in the daytime, to be packed with Italian people baking in the hot sun. It is not a traditional family bucket and spade type holiday and you will need shoes or suitable footwear to protect your feet from the stones.

* On our visit to this area, consider the options carefully. Garda is huge - 60-70 miles in length with numerous resorts. I read the following quote somewhere "pick the wrong place and you will regret it. Pick the right place and you will never forget it." This is true - consider carefully what you want from your resort and choose accordingly.

* Do not be tempted to rent a speedboat on the lake. The authorities are a bit reckless about whom such boats are rented to. No license is required.

* Visiting this area is less about specific sights and more about exploring pretty villages along the shores, relaxing in little waterfront cafes and enjoying fine food. A steamer trip on the lake and an evening stroll along the water's edge are essential experiences.

* Lots of restaurants and bars along the lake do not take credit cards. Make sure you have cash with you, just in case.

* Lake Garda is a great destination for families. Children are extremely well catered for with a plethora of water sports and well equipped holiday resorts. The adults meanwhile are happy with the wonderful lakeside bars and restaurants which have the most fabulous views.   Close

An experience not to be missed is taking one of the budget ferries out of Riva del Garda to one of the medieval lakeside towns. The ferries are fast, efficient, and on time. The slowest ferries offered by the ferry service Navigazione Lago di Garda are…Read More

An experience not to be missed is taking one of the budget ferries out of Riva del Garda to one of the medieval lakeside towns.

The ferries are fast, efficient, and on time. The slowest ferries offered by the ferry service Navigazione Lago di Garda are cheap and leave you the most amount of time to admire the stunning mountain and lake scenery. The Navigazione Lago di Garda also offers hydrofoils, which are much less adapted to sightseeing (as you are forced to sit below deck in an enclosed space) but do have the advantage of getting you to your destination quicker.

From Riva's main square, walk towards Hotel Europa and watch for the metallic silver booths where tickets are sold for all ferry trips. Tickets should be bought from Navigazione Lago di Garda before boarding - and don't listen to touts suggesting otherwise.

The shortest trip out of Riva (and one of the most beautiful in terms of scenery and destination) is to Limone. Limone is a medieval town with cobbled alleyways, made famous for its ancient lemon groves (limone in Italian). The best place to see these old wooden groves is from the ferry as you dock into Limone's very Mediterranean-looking port. A happy afternoon can be spent wandering around Limone looking at trinkets and climbing up to the church above the town.

Other possibilities by ferry: Malcesine, painted by Klimt in a now lost picture, with its medieval castle, or Sirmione, right at the other end of the lake. Sirmione is well worth a long day trip to visit the Roman ruins and healing mud baths.

We based in Sirmione at the extreme southern point of the lake. Sirmione is the site of a medieval castle and town with narrow, winding streets and a classic 'kur' house. A drive around the lake can be done in a day including…Read More

We based in Sirmione at the extreme southern point of the lake. Sirmione is the site of a medieval castle and town with narrow, winding streets and a classic 'kur' house. A drive around the lake can be done in a day including stops in several of its lakeside towns. Each seems to have a lakeside promenade or plaza filled with museums, shopping, dining, and more castles and churches. The lake is filled with windsurfers flying about. Winter sports, including skiing, are available at the northeast point of the lake and theme parks for kids are at the southeast end. Buy local olive oil by the bottle or case! You'll not be able to walk by the gelato shops, either.    Close

While it’s true that Italy has no shortage of fine ice cream, you have to watch your step in Riva del Garda. The best place to go by far in Riva is Gelateria Artigianale on the corner of the main piazza under Hotel Sol. Artigianale…Read More

While it’s true that Italy has no shortage of fine ice cream, you have to watch your step in Riva del Garda.

The best place to go by far in Riva is Gelateria Artigianale on the corner of the main piazza under Hotel Sol. Artigianale means "homemade" and all the ice cream here is creamy and full of natural flavour (unlike many other gelaterias). Flavours range from the familiar ciccolato (chocolate) and crema to slightly more interesting varieties like kiwi and Nutella.

The gelateria itself is lit up with neon lights to make it even slightly tolerable, so I would suggest getting your ice cream to go and eating it as you stroll along the lake or sitting down in the piazza. This also makes the experience much more authentic (not to mention cheaper).

Riva del Garda is one of the bigger tourist centers around the Garda Lake, and the main resort town on the northern shore. With its two harbors, Riva is well equipped for many kinds of water sports, and one can also do rock climbing, or…Read More

Riva del Garda is one of the bigger tourist centers around the Garda Lake, and the main resort town on the northern shore. With its two harbors, Riva is well equipped for many kinds of water sports, and one can also do rock climbing, or visit the Varone waterfalls a few miles to the north. Riva is also a good base for daytrips up the Monte Baldo, or the mountains to the west of the lake, where mountain biking is a popular recreation. Each year in spring, Riva hosts a world-renowned mountain bike festival.   Close

Gardone Riviera is one of the many small resorts on the steep hills of the western side of the Garda Lake. It's divided in two parts: Lower Gardone and Upper Gardone. The lower part has a car-free boulevard where the small waves of the Garda…Read More

Gardone Riviera is one of the many small resorts on the steep hills of the western side of the Garda Lake. It's divided in two parts: Lower Gardone and Upper Gardone. The lower part has a car-free boulevard where the small waves of the Garda Lake lap the shore. On a clear day, the waterfront provides a view of the Monte Baldo on the opposite shore. Stroll along the boulevard, relax and enjoy an espresso on one of the many street terraces. Or climb the short distance to the upper part of town and wander through quaint, old alleyways.   Close

Sirmione is located on a peninsula on the south shore of the Garda Lake. The first human settlers arrived around 6,000 years BC. In the first century BC it became a popular summer destination for rich Roman families from Verona. Among them the poet Catullus,…Read More

Sirmione is located on a peninsula on the south shore of the Garda Lake. The first human settlers arrived around 6,000 years BC. In the first century BC it became a popular summer destination for rich Roman families from Verona. Among them the poet Catullus, whose villa Grotte di Catullo, now in ruins, is one of Sirmione's most popular attractions.

Other sights include the 13th century Scaliger castle and several churches. Or one can simply wander the narrow medieval streets and browse for souvenirs. Be warned, though, Sirmione is incredibly popular, and as a result it's also very crowded, especially on weekdays or in summer. Try to get there early, when most of the crowds are still enjoying their breakfast.

Paid parking lots are provided within walking distance of the main town, where visitor cars aren't allowed.   Close

Desenzano is the main town on the Southern shore. It can be reached by train and is also easily accessible by car. The nearest cities are Milan and Verona. Desenzano is less tourist-inundated than its Northern counterpart Riva, which translates into a slightly more authentic…Read More

Desenzano is the main town on the Southern shore. It can be reached by train and is also easily accessible by car. The nearest cities are Milan and Verona. Desenzano is less tourist-inundated than its Northern counterpart Riva, which translates into a slightly more authentic atmosphere that is most notable in the restaurant menus.

Life in Desenzano takes place around the harbor, that sports both an ancient inner harbor occupied by small, local fishing boats, and an outer harbor that serves larger guest yachts. Many of the streets are small, except for the main thoroughfare, which is wider. Cars are not allowed in the heart of the center, but various parking lots offer space for short time periods.

Food is generally good and plentiful in the many restaurants surrounding the harbor. Most offer original Italian dishes, and of course you can also get your fill of pizza.   Close