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Italian Government
Tourist Board North America
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Italian Government Tourist Board - North America |
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Spotlight On ... |
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The Lakes of Italy
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| Lake Garda |
 Lake Garda (or Benaco) is the largest Italian
lake and is 144 km in circumference. To the south it is broad and without surrounding mountains, whereas in the
north it is like a fiord, closed in by mountains. This is "the land
where the lemon trees flower" which fascinated Goethe. It is famous
for its Mediterranean climate, its blue waters, its abundant vegetation, its attractive villas and gardens, the
variety of the landscape, and the efficiency of the tourist services around its shores which permit a long tourist
season.
Our tour begins at Sirmione, heading
west and then turning north along the Brescian shore, in a succession of spectacular panoramic views on the Gardesana Occidentale road which is cut into the
rock, and then descending on the eastern side from Riva del Garda to Peschiera
on the Gardesana Orientale road. |
Sirmione is the "pearl of all islands
and peninsulars" according to the Roman poet Catullo. It is wrapped in a luminous atmosphere, between the
blue of the waters and the green of the olive trees, with picturesque streets full of elegant shops. Make a visit
to the Rocca Scaligera castle, with
its collection of Roman sculptures and its curious dockyard. The archeological site, known as the Grottoes of Catullus, is on the very end of the
peninsular, and consists of the remains of a grandiose Roman villa, within natural surroundings of great beauty.
Desenzano del Garda is an attractive town.
Its 16th century Cathedral church has a marvelous canvas by Tiepolo. The Archeological museum and the excavation
of a 4th century BC Roman villa with rich polychrome pavements are worth seeing.
Salò is an important holiday
resort with two museums and a late Gothic Cathedral with splendid works of art. There are interesting excursions
to be made, above all to the picturesque Valtenesi.
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 Gardone Riviera is an elegant and popular
health resort, famous for the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio's monumental villa, the "Vittoriale
degli Italiani ". Here there is an open-air theatre, the poet's mausoleum
and tomb, the reconstruction of the prow of the "Puglia" ship and the "Prioria". You may like
to visit the Hruska Botanical garden
in the town and the Villa Alba, a continence venue, within a vast park.
Moving north through Toscolano Maderno,
Bogliaco, Gargnano, Tremosine (with a detour to Pieve) we arrive at Limone, famous for the cultivation of sweet-smelling lemons (called zardi de limu). It has an ancient town centre and Venetian
buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Famous persons such as Goethe, Ibsen and Lawrence found inspiration and
relaxation here.
Riva del Garda is the northernmost
town on the lake, in the province of
 Trento.
In the town centre is the III Novembre square, surrounded by porticoes and with a view over the lake. The Castle houses an interesting Town Museum with remains of the ancient lake village on piles
from Lake Ledro.Moving on east towards the Venetian shore of the lake we pass through the attractive Torbole and arrive at Malcesine, a popular holiday resort dominated by
the medieval Scaligero Castle which
houses a Museum with natural history collections and historical curiosities. The Goethian
room is particularly interesting. The 15th century Palace of the Captains of the Lake is attractive and a visit
by cable car to the nearby Monte Baldo gives one the chance to admire an incredible wide panoramic view.
Brenzone is a pleasant and welcoming town
on the lake-shore. The medieval village of Campo and the Romanesque churches of San Zeno and San Nicolò
are worth a visit.
Torri del Benaco is in an attractive
position within an olive-growing zone. The 15th century Scaligero Castle and the Church of the Trinità are worth visiting.
Garda derives its name from the
Longobardic Warte, or fortress.
The 18th century Parish Church is attractive and a walk in the old town centre and on the lake-side promenade is
advised. The nearby Punta di San Vigilio
is certainly one of the most attractive and romantic sites on the lake, with its high cypress trees. The Villa Guarienti and the ancient Chiesetta di San Vigilio are also very interesting.
Bardolino has very good tourist facilities,
with t he possibility to play various sports. It produces highly esteemed wines and possesses two fascinating medieval
churches, San Severo and San Zeno.
Lazise is ringed round by ancient
walls and has a well-preserved Scaligero Castle. The Parish church of Pacengo,
the Church of the Madonna della Pergolana,
the Dogana Veneta (Venetian Custom)
and the Church of San Nicolò
are all of interest.
Peschiera, is full of historical
interest, hemmed in between two ancient fortifications.
| If the visitor wishes to tour the waters of the lake there is a very efficient navigation
service, with comfortable boats and swift hydrofoils. |
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For more information: |
Lombardy
Sirmione, Desenzano sul Garda, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano Maderno, Gargnano, Campione and Limone sul
GardaAPT Brescia (Local Tourist Board)
Corso Zanardelli, 34
25100 Brescia
www.bresciaholiday.com
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Trentino
Riva del GardaAPT Garda Trentino
Giardini di Porta Orientale, 8
38066 Riva del Garda
www.gardatrentino.it
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Veneto
Torbole, Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino, Peschiera del GardaAPT Garda
Lungolago Regina Adelaide, 3
37016 Garda
www.aptgardaveneto.com
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