DK Travel : Milan and the Lakes : Lake Garda

Lake Garda : Overview & Top 10

Garda is the most sporting of the Italian lakes. The crosswinds to the north and the dominating slopes of Monte Baldo draw windsurfers and paragliders, while other adrenaline-filled sports, such as rock climbing, and the more leisurely pursuit of golf, provide further distractions. Garda also enjoys some of the best Roman-era remains in northern Italy at Sirmione and Desenzano, as well as atmospheric medieval castles in Torri del Benaco, Malcesine, Vallegio and Sirmione. Since the 18th century, Garda’s summer villas and verdant gardens have lured such luminaries as Goethe, Malcesine, Byron and D H Lawrence, though the region also found infamy as the place of Mussolini’s last stand.

Al Volt

An old fashioned restaurant with fancy gilt mirrors and lacy tablecloths. A china cup of parsnip cream soup is offered "on the house", main courses are innovative and use the best fresh produce, try the mousse of char with apple puree to start followed by brochettes of caregone in white wine sauce, the tiramasiu is a must and should be slowly savoured. The wine is locally produced and the finest on offer in the area, allow about 30 euro per head for 3 courses with wine. This restaurant will exceed all expectations and is used by the locals, often a testament in itself.
Arco Castle

The town of Arco, set back from Lake Garda, is amazing, one of Italy's secrets. It is steeped in History with beautiful buildings and lovely little shops down enchanting alleyways.

The Botanical Gardens is an absolute padarise and free to enter while further up the hill the ruined castle gives tremendous views down to Riva Del Garda and the lake.

The bus fare into Riva is only a euro and, if you wish, there are coach excursions into wine country, The Dolomites, Verona, Milan and Venice.