Italian Lakes - Lake Garda - Is it for me?

Having done the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Venice and Sicily the opportunity to visit Lake Garda for 5 nights was too good to pass up, myself and 3 other agents were treated to an immersive experience of everything the Lake has to offer courtesy of our hosts Hotelplan whose portfolio includes Inghams.

This Educational trip was not about the hotels they feature although we saw quite a few, it was why Lake Garda? Who does it appeal to? What can you do? What can you see?

We were based in Gardone and travelled to various places and points of interest by mini bus driven by one of the most knowledgeable representatives of any area I have met – Jayne really knew her stuff and clearly was passionate about the region.

Driving the Lakes roads could be concern for a nervous driver due to the number of cyclists and motorbikes/scooters, so I would recommend maybe a twin-centre and visiting other places via ferry this is an economical, enjoyable way of getting the most from the Lake e.g. a return ticket from Limone to Malcesine is just 9 Euros.

Clinging to the rocks on the north-western shore of Lake Garda, the picturesque town of Limone is renowned for its dramatic setting and fragrant lemon groves. I would gladly spend a few days here soaking up the sunshine, meandering around the streets eating authentic Italian food and sipping some of the local rose wines.

A hot spot to visit not far north of Limone is Lake Tenno, set up in the mountains it’s a feast for the eyes, a turquoise diamond, it takes about an hour to walk around but not for people with walking difficulties due to the number of steps and uneven walkways. Also, not far from there is the Varone Waterfall with 2 observation points at 40m & 80m surrounded by botanical gardens and a large picnic area. Probably best to do these 2 activities on an organised tour.

We took a car ferry from our base to Garda on the east of the Lake and drove up to Malcesine, one of the most popular towns and very popular with people getting married. The centre point being the Castello Scaligero and the views are well worth the climb to the top. Plenty of riverside restaurants and bars to satisfy your appetite as well as some hidden gems to discover in the cobbled back streets. Our guide knew every nook and cranny and we were treated to some of the finest prosciutto I ever had, washed down with some quality prosecco - just search out da Pedro. You can even take the cable car up to Mount Baldo a magnet for walkers, cyclists and paragliders.

In Punta San Vigilio we were treated to a gem, a small harbour with some serious boats, boutique hotel and an ideal place for a long lunch, people/boat watching.

Simione is one of the most visited places and I can highly recommend a speedboat tour of the peninsula. Our final ½ day was spent in Verona, we had a fantastic lunch at Le Cantine De L’Arena on the main square by the Arena which host such great shows like Carmen and The Barber of Seville.

Overall, I found the area less expensive than expected and suitable for all types of holidaymaker from a 5-star hotel lover to a self-catering camp site aficionado, great for people who wish to do nothing whilst great for the active windsurfer, hiker. Definitely a foodie’s delight - real authentic Italian cuisine and if you like a drop of good wine you will not be disappointed. Couples, Families, Young, old everyone will enjoy all that Lake Garda has to offer.