Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and other popular cities in Italy are crowded with tourists from all over the world and their number does not decrease from year to year. But in this country, in addition to the rich architectural and historical heritage, there is more to see – there are many incredibly beautiful and amazing places here, and in this article we will tell you about one of them.
Lake Garda
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Garda is the largest and most picturesque lake in Italy, located at the foot of the Alpine mountains. The lake shore is a favorite vacation spot for Italians and is becoming more and more popular among tourists.
There are many towns and villages around the lake. The most famous: Sirmione, Gardone Riviera, Limone, Riva del Garda, Torbole, Malcesine, Bardolino. There is a very short distance between the cities, sometimes up to several hundred meters, so if you stop in one place, you can easily explore the neighboring ones.
The easiest way to get here is from Verona, the distance between the city and the lake is only 44 kilometers, and the journey will take half an hour.
Active leisure
Windsurfing
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In the small town of Riva del Garda, where geese, ducks and swans walk freely through the streets and are not at all afraid of people, windsurfing is extremely popular. And this is where you should go for boarding and sailing. Rental companies provide all sports equipment. A set of equipment will cost approximately 100 euros per day, and classes with instructors will add another 40 euros to the cost.
On the Riva del Garda embankment there are a large number of bars and cafes where windsurfers and young people relax. Therefore, for the drive and party – here.
Tracking
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For mountain hikers, this is an excellent opportunity to trek through the Alps. There are a huge number of routes in the mountains, from one-day to multi-day, from simple to very difficult. The route map can be downloaded in advance on the Internet (for example, here),
and can be purchased at the reception of any hotel located on the lake shore.
A large number of trekking routes begin in the village of Musaga, located a few kilometers from the shore of the lake. All routes are marked with signs, so it will be extremely difficult to get lost. The routes go through chestnut groves, where you can pick delicious chestnuts, and lead to alpine meadows, where cows that look like they came straight out of a Milka advertisement graze. And in mountain villages you can buy real Alpine milk and honey.
Cycling
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Mountain biking is very popular among tourists here. Depending on your level of physical fitness, you can go to the mountains, putting a fair amount of strain on your legs, or take a leisurely ride along the coast, driving around medieval towns and small villages with cypress and olive groves.
As with trekking routes, there are a huge number of cycling routes, a map of which can be purchased at any hotel.
Bicycle rental cost: for an hour – 3 euros, for half a day – 10 euros, and for the whole day – 15 euros.
What to visit
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Crown
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20 kilometers from Garda in the village of Spiazzi, in the recess of Mount Monte Baldo on a steep cliff there is a temple – the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Crown. The temple was built in the 15th century on the site where a monastic hermitage was previously located. Pilgrims from all over the world come here and it is believed that here, in exchange for a promise or vow, the saints will help fulfill your desire. But if you break your vow, misfortune will follow the violator all your life.
Inside the sanctuary there is an exact copy of the Holy Staircase, along which Jesus ascended to his trial in the palace of Pontius Pilate, and on the path leading to the temple there are 14 halts, symbolizing the stops of Christ on the Way of the Cross.
Under the temple there is a corridor covered with millions of photographs of people who have passed on to another world. There is a belief that the Mother of God herself grieves over the souls of these people.
Scaliger Castle
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The Scaliger Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in Italy, built by the Scaliger dynasty, who ruled Verona from 1260 to 1387. During the years of their reign, more than 40 castles were erected to protect their possessions, but to this day no more than ten have survived.
The Scaliger Castle is surrounded by a moat with water and high walls with battlements. The 47-meter medieval tower inside is a favorite place for tourists and also serves as an excellent observation deck. The fortress was the most important strategic point – the Scaligers kept their fleet on the lake, the base of which was in this castle. Now ships and boats also come here, fortunately, not military ones, but those on which tourists take cruises on the lake.
Gardaland Park
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The fairyland of Gardaland, the most famous park in Italy, was built by Italian millionaire Livio Farini after he visited American Disneyland in 1975 and was so impressed that he decided to build something similar in Italy.
The Garda coast was chosen as the site for construction, and just six months later the park received its first visitors. Over time, the park became larger, modernized, and now there are 40 attractions in six thematic areas: Sunken Atlantis, Ancient Egypt, Knightly Middle Ages, Hawaiian Islands, Outer Space, Cartoon Land.
Thermal springs
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There are several thermal springs on Lake Garda, which greatly adds to the attractiveness of this place. The most famous are in Sirmione and Lazise.
The first, in Sirmione, was accidentally discovered at a depth of 20 meters in 1889 by a Venetian diver. Ten years later, the Aquaria thermal center was built on this site, which is still in operation and is popular among tourists. Later, several more thermal centers appeared in the city, most of which operate at hotels. A full day adult ticket costs €53.
The second, in Lazise, on the territory of the luxurious Villa Cedri, was discovered in 1989, when the owners of the mansion decided to dig a well. Hot thermal springs were discovered at a depth of 160 meters, after which the owners of the villa decided to turn this place into a thermal resort. Now on the territory of the park with an area of 16 hectares, surrounded by centuries-old cedars, palm trees and flowers, there are 2 swimming pools with thermal water, a grotto has been built and fountains work. Water from the springs can be drunk. A full-day adult ticket costs 22 euros.
Olive Oil Museum
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Strangely enough, the first olive oil museum appeared relatively recently – in 1988. It was opened by the owners of a small olive processing plant in the town of Bardolino, which stands on the shores of Lake Garda.
Oil has been extracted on the lake coast for 2000 years: people began cultivating olive trees among the first. The museum, in 9 halls, presents the entire process of extracting oil from olives from antiquity to the present day. But what tourists like most is that in the museum they can finally understand the intricacies of the taste of different varieties of olive oil – there is a tasting room here, and they also sell cosmetics with the addition of olive oil.
Text author: Olga Krylova
Preview photo: Shutterstock.com
