A shore thing
Italy’s grandest lake is a place for summer romance, says
Like jewels dotted around a gleaming crown, the towns of Garda, Limone, Bardolino and Malcesine illuminate the shores of one of Europe’s most magnificent sights. Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, 35 miles long, is a glacial marvel surrounded by mountain scenery.
It is a place that delights visitors in the summer when the weather is balmy, there is much to do and romance blossoms.
Lake Garda is somewhere to savour, whether sitting in a café looking across the waters, taking a steamer to visit towns or walking in the pastures (a mountain lift takes you up and you can stroll back).
It is also perfectly situated for trips farther into the mountains, to the sea or to the city – it is midway between Venice and Milan, while the southern tip is just along the road from romantic Verona.
Endless lakeside spots offer family hotels, lovely restaurants, swimming and even beaches.
Thomson Lakes & Mountains offers holidays in a dozen resorts. All share that Mediterranean mountain atmosphere, a charm that recharges the batteries in a way that a beach holiday just can’t manage.
Garda is a medieval town that sits on a cypress-lined bay with a promenade following the water’s edge. Narrow, pedestrianised streets are filled with ice-cream parlours and coffee shops.
Come evening, there’s street entertainers and music wafting from bars as locals emerge for a passeggiata – an early evening stroll. Bardolino is a bustling walled town, filled with shops, pavement cafés and pizzerias as well as a 14th-century castle.
Its promenade runs two miles to Garda and on a summer’s evening is alive with locals and visitors watching buskers and listening to music while sipping local wine.
Limone clings to rocks on the north-western shore, all cobbled lanes, shuttered houses and restaurants surrounded by lemon groves.
Lake views are topped by vistas of the 7,000ft Monte Baldo range. The clue’s in the name – this is a place of lemons. Visit hillside groves, walk in terraced lemon gardens (former groves) and even pop into the lemon museum.
The town was only accessible by boat until 1932.
Malcesine, across the lake from Limone, has stone-paved streets that run down to the harbour, once filled with fishing boats, all protected by mighty Scaligeri Castle – head to the top of the tower for stirring views.
Other panoramas unfold from the cable car that glides up Monte Baldo. There are also optional excursions from all four resorts such as a lake tour by road and boat; wine tour taking in vineyards (with a tasting, obviously) and olive groves; a day in Venice, giving the chance to explore sights including St Mark’s Basilica; and a day in Verona, including a guided walking tour, taking in the setting of the balcony scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Lake Garda is a place of romance and relaxation wherever you go. INFORMATION: Thomson Lakes & Mountains (020 8234 6546/thomsonlakes.co.uk) offers seven-night holidays on Lake Garda from £265pp (two sharing), B&B, at Hotel Bardolino, including flights and transfers, for a May 31 departure.
Endless lakeside spots offer family hotels, lovely restaurants, swimming and even beaches