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Published: September 28th 2017
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We left the snow capped peaks of the Dolomites yesterday morning, heading for the sunny shores of Lago di Garda, or Lake Garda. It is the largest lake in Italy, and is located half way between Milan and Venice. The lake has numerous small islands and five main ones, the largest being Isola del Garda, where in 1220 St Francis of Assisi founded a monastery.
The lake has been the site of many famous battles, dating back to the year AD 268, when the Romans defeated the Alamanni. Mussolini established his Italian Social Republic in a villa on the shores of Lake Garda in 1943.
Our accommodation was located in Bardolino, on the eastern shore of the lake, and rather than take the shorter Autostrade route, we headed for the westward mountain pass, and then followed the edge of the lake from it’s northernmost point to Bardolino. After checking in, we walked into town along the lake, sourcing out a good eating venue for dinner.
Today we enjoyed a great buffet breakfast at our accommodation, then headed out early for the town of Malcesine, hoping to avoid the busloads of tourists that
descend on the town each day. We purchased dual tickets for the Cable Car to Monte Baldo, and the Castello Scaligero, and due to crowds building up, we headed for the cable car. We had to wait around 45 minutes to take the two stage ride up the 2,218 mtr Monte Baldo, with the second stage being a 360 degree rotating cable car. The views over the lake from Monte Baldo were pretty spectacular, and we witnessed many Paragliders taking off from the mountain, to glide down to Malcesine over the lake.
After taking the cable car down, we headed for Castello Scaligero, which dates back to the 13
th century. We found the castle to be in good original condition, and spent a few hours wandering around, taking photos inside and of the many views of Lake Garda. It was interesting to read of Johann Goethe’s visit to the Castle in 1786. After enjoying lunch in a local restaurant which had a view over Lake Garda, we headed off to visit Sirmione, which lies on a spit of land that juts out into Lake Garda’s southern end.
The first traces of human presence in
the area of Sirmione dates from the 6th-5th millennia BC. Starting from the 1st century BC, Sirmione became a favourite resort for rich families coming from Verona, then the main Roman city in north-eastern Italy. The poet Catullus praised the beauty of the city and spoke of a villa he had in the area. The remains of an ancient Roman Villa are found at the tip of Sirmione, which are the most complete remains of a private Roman building found in Northern Italy.
We also walked around Scaliger Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and walked through groves of olive trees, whose origins date back hundreds of years.
After driving back to Bardolino quite late, we walked into town and found the restaurant recommended by our hosts, and enjoyed a hearty meal, serenaded by a singer/musician, singing a mixture of Italian and English songs.
We wish we had more time to enjoy this ancient glacial lake, however, the canals of Venice are calling.
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