What's the first thing that pops in your mind when you hear Gardaland? Is it the theme park full of adrenalin? Is it the only thrill you can get at the largest lake in Italy? Lake Garda offers much more than the theme park, aqualand and safari parks. The northern shore of the lake (51km long) features interesting and historic but alive cities such as Arco and Riva del Garda. In the latter there's also a beautiful hostel Benacus surrounded by tall peaks of the Gruppo del Baldo.
Lake Garda
It’s the largest Italian lake at the elevation of only 65m above sea level. Right next to it is the city of Verona and if you’re arriving from Slovenia, you pass Venice and Vicenze and turn off the motorway at Verona. You’ll find the signs to lead you to the lake - Lago di Garda. With 51 kilometres of length there are beautiful touristic centres and historic places that sometimes merge into one another. Great beaches let you enjoy in swimming in the lake. There are also many restaurants, bars and pizzerias taking care of your hunger. The landscape doesn’t get monotonous as there are five islands on the lake, the largest among them being Isola del Garda.
Riva del Garda
The picturesque town on the northern shore of the lake makes you think you’ve arrive to the Italian Adriatic coast. There are about 15.000 people living there and making sure you are welcome, as there are tourists coming in all through the year. Due to the geography, the lake has mild climate. Two marinas in the town take care of the sailors and kiters and the mountains around the town make sure the mountain bikers, rock climbers and ferraters get what they are looking for. There is one of the most picturesque ferrates starting at the town. It’s called Via dell' Amicizia (the friendship path), that takes you (up the eight almost stable metal ladders) up to the top of Cima SAT. Less ambitious travellers can enjoy the biodiversity of Mt. Brione, which is less demanding. The town’s beach and the picturesque centre, along with the rich offer, will make you want to return to Largo di Garda.
Arco
An idle town under the limestone cliff on which the medieval castle dominates the landscape. The town is a place for a specific group of tourists – mostly it’s rock climbers and mountain bikers and other active tourists looking for mountain thrills. Numerous agencies offer adrenalin sports and there are many sporting stores next to them, with world famous brands. The nearby rock Colodri is a perfect place for climbers and became a popular destination for ferrate lovers. There’s an undemanding path called Via Ferrata del Colodri made in such a way that even beginners can handle it.
Varone waterfall
The Varone waterfall - Cascate del Varone – near the town of Tenno, is just 3 kilometres away from Riva del Garda and it’s a perfect day trip point to walk to or cycle. The geological rarity came to be at the time of disappearance of glaciers in the prehistoric times. The 98m tall waterfall can be seen from two point and you need to pay a hefty fee to enter the area. Among more famous visitors of the waterfall were: Franz Kafka, Thomas Mann, Franz Joseph I. of the Habsburg-Lotharing dynasty and the last Italian king Umberto II.
Lake Ledro
Not far from Riva del Garda there’s a valley (Valle di Ledro) with the lake Ledro inside. A half hour ride through many tunnels (even uphill) opens a whole new world of “over there” to us. The cleanest lake for far around with many idyllic beaches, restaurants and accommodations and a palaeontological museum as the lake is an important archaeological site.
Enough arguments to make this your destination of 2015? Did the article made you want to visit the lesser known Italian pearls? The lake with thousand opportunities and possibilities has something to offer to everybody, from active sportsmen to those who want to relax in nature.
Hostel Benacus in the old town of Riva del Garda is the right place to stay as they offer good prices for bed and breakfast. See you in Riva!
