“I passionately wanted my friends to be next to me at least for a moment and also enjoy the view that opens up to me… aside from my road there was a wondrous creation of nature, an amazing sight – Lake Garda.”
I. Goethe
The captivating beauty of Lake Garda was admired not only by the great Goethe. Fantastic landscapes inspired Catullus, James Joyce, Stendhal, D’Annunzio and many other poets, writers and artists. The largest lake in Italy impresses with its unique landscapes – a turquoise surface that sparkles in the sun and mysteriously shimmers in the moonlight, the tops of rocks that form bizarre fjords, picturesque hillsides overgrown with lush forests and olive groves, monuments of antiquity and the Middle Ages, Mediterranean gardens with centuries-old cypresses and fragrant citrus trees, magnificent villas and majestic castles in ancient cities… In the resorts of Garda, everyone will find relaxation to their taste – from water sports and swimming in the clear waters of the lake, to fascinating excursions to historical sights,
Location and geography: Lake Garda is the largest in Italy, located in the north of the country, near the southern foot of the Alps in a basin of glacial-tectonic origin, 30 km from Verona, 100 km from Milan and 130 km from Venice. The lake covers an area of 370 km², has a length of 51.6 km, and a width of 17.2. the maximum depth of the lake is 346 m. The southern, wider part of the lake is formed by moraine rock formations, and the narrower northern part is surrounded by high rocks reaching 2000 m, resembling fjords. The cliff-sheltered coastline enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate that provides excellent conditions for lush vegetation.
Cities and resorts on Lake Garda:
Garda is a beautiful resort located on the eastern coast of the lake, Riviera degli Olivi, which is located on the picturesque cape of San Vigilio, washed by the clear waters of Mermaid Bay. This ancient garden-filled Romanesque town is home to an ancient Camaldolite monastery, as well as magnificent villas, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, some of which were built by Sanmicheli by the famous 15th-century architect Sanmicheli.
Sirmione– a wonderful resort, occupying a narrow peninsula on the south side of the lake and known since the time of the Roman Republic. Even Catullus, who had a villa here, called Sirmione “the pearl among all the islands and the peninsula.” The beauty of Sirmione was admired by many poets and writers – Goethe, Stendhal, James Joyce. Sirmione is home to the ancient Roman villa “Grotto Catullus”, the 13th-century fortress of Scaligera, the church of S. Pietro in Mavino, and the ancient narrow streets of the city invite pleasant walks. In addition, the resort is famous for its healing thermal waters, rich in salts and hydrogen sulfide – there are SPA centers here, two clinics work all year round, and for lovers of outdoor activities in Sirmione there are excellent opportunities for water sports.
Malcesine – a city located on the east coast of Lake Garda, famous for the majestic medieval fortress Scaliger Castle and the historic palace Palazzo dei Capitan. In addition to water sports and recreation in the picturesque medieval town, guests can take a lift to the top of Mount Baldo, at a height of 1880 m, from where a breathtaking panorama of the vast expanse of the lake and the amazing landscapes of its shores opens up.
Riva del Garda is a picturesque city located on the border of the coast and the foothills of the Dolomites. In addition to resort entertainment, the city has a fortress built in 1122, which today houses a museum and an art gallery, Baroque buildings are also interesting, for example, the preserved SM Assunta church.
Desenzano del Garda– a popular charming resort located on the south coast and famous for its picturesque landscapes, as well as historical and architectural sights of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. In the center of the city there is Piazza Malvezzi and the ancient harbor with magnificent palaces of the 16th century, also in Desenzano there is a Roman villa of the 4th century with ancient floors lined with multi-colored mosaics, the Museum of Archeology, where you can see one of the most ancient plows in the world, the panoramic tower S.Martino della Battaglia. The chapel of the cathedral houses authentic works by the 17th-century artist Andrea Celesti, as well as Tiepolo’s painting The Last Supper. In recent years, Desenzano has developed a resort and entertainment industry, the city has many restaurants, bars and discos,
Limone – the very name of this charming old town, located on the northern coast of the lake, speaks of its nature – lush Mediterranean vegetation with a predominance of citrus fruits, and, of course, an abundance of lemon trees. An interesting fact is that the inhabitants of Limone are distinguished by longevity, which, according to the results of scientific research, is based on the presence in their blood of the unique protein ApoA-1 Milano, which protects the heart by removing fat from the vessels – even with high cholesterol levels. This protein, combined with a mild climate and a Mediterranean diet dominated by freshwater fish, olive oil and citrus fruits, provides effective protection against heart disease.
Salo (Salo)– the famous and very beautiful city and port, stretching along the coast of Salo Bay, at the entrance to Limone Riviera. During the Venetian rule, Salo was the capital of Garda’s “Magnifica Patria”, and during the Fascist dictatorship, the government headquarters of the Italian Social Republic, better known as the Republic of Salo. The rich history of the city is reflected in its magnificent appearance: the historic center of Salo is decorated with elegant buildings, among which is the Palace of the Magnificent Patria (Palazzo of the Magnifica Patria), built in 1524 by the legendary Renaissance architect Jacopo Sannsovino, as well as the cathedral, erected in the second half of the 15th century in the late Gothic style, which houses a collection of valuable works of art of that time.
Bardolino (Bardolino)is a picturesque town located on the west coast of Garda, halfway to Venice. The city with a mild Mediterranean climate is buried in fragrant vegetation: slender cypresses and oleanders, olive and laurel trees, and emerald vineyards stretch to the very shore. In addition to excellent conditions for recreation, including comfortable hotels, Bardolino is famous for its excellent wine of the same name and colorful festivals: the red wine festival Chiaretto (Clear Bardolino), which takes place in May, the October grape harvest festival and the Feast of Bardolino Novello young wine festival in November.
Gardone Riviera (Gardone Riviera)is a popular and elegant resort, often called the “botanical garden” on Lake Garda. Wonderful gardens and parks, exquisite atmosphere and wonderful climate have attracted aristocrats here since the 19th century. To this day, the atmosphere of a prestigious resort reigns in Gardna Riviera. The embankment – the promenade – is a favorite place for guests to relax, live music sounds here in the summer, and various holidays are arranged. Also here is the majestic estate Vittoriale degli Italiani – the former residence of the famous Italian writer Gabriele d’Annunzio, now the mansion houses a museum. Another attraction of the Garodne Riviera is the amazing A. Hruska Botanical Garden, which houses hundreds of plant species from five continents.
Toscolano Maderno– an important historical and economic center of the Riviera dei Limoni e dei Castelli, located in the Toscolano Delta, including the two cities of Toscolano and Maderno. This area, which arose during the Roman Empire, later became famous for the first paper mills in Italy. Here is the Valley of the Paper Mill (Valle delle Cartiere) – one of the most interesting industrial archaeological sites in northern Italy. Also, both cities have many picturesque places, among which are historical squares with ancient churches.
Tignale– a wonderful place located on a green plateau and including 6 villages located at different heights. On one side of Tignale is the steep gorge of the S. Michele river, and on the other side are terraces overgrown with olive groves. The resort, which has a unique location between the lake and the mountains, offers ample opportunities for “ecotourism”: sailing, climbing, mountain biking, rafting, horseback riding. In addition, in Tingale you can visit the lemon greenhouse Prà del la Fam with a museum that shows the various stages of the ancient technology of citrus cultivation, the unique natural park Alto Garda Bresciano Park, as well as the Montecastello Sanctuary, where a breathtaking panorama of Lake Garda and the mountains opens from a high cliff. Baldo.
Arco (Arco)– the ancient town, located in the center of the Sarca Valley, is a famous mountaineering center, as well as a wonderful historical site. Among the lush gardens and parks are elegant neoclassical villas and buildings of the Renaissance, a medieval fortress rises on the top of the cliff, and the crystal clear mountain air, combined with the mild Mediterranean climate, provided Arko with the fame of a natural clinic even during Austrian rule.
Lazise (Lazise)– a delightful resort town, including the coastal area and the area of picturesque cliffs, overgrown with olive groves and vineyards, and ledges descending to the mirror surface of Garda. In addition to hotels built on the very shore and on the slopes, there are many cozy campsites in Lazise, and it is also a great place for any kind of recreation – from water sports and cycling to a leisurely stroll along the promenade in the southern part of the town.
Amusement Park Gardaland
Spread over 45 hectares on a picturesque hill overlooking Lake Garda, this amazing world of entertainment offers children and adults alike an exciting world of dizzying rides and fantastic adventures. Gardaland’s 40 different attractions include four “roller coasters”, two water slides, a vertical free fall slide and many other unforgettable surprises. Also, guests are waiting for all kinds of themed pavilions and enchanting shows: watching underwater inhabitants in the oceanarium, a performance with dolphins, medieval jousting tournaments and exciting battles of sea pirates, a fantastic kingdom with fairy-tale heroes and a labyrinth of horrors, a journey through the wild jungle and to the ancient pyramids of the Mayan Indians, ballet on ice and much, much more.
