Lake Garda
Continuing along the parallel valley, the Valdadige, and at a certain point, turning left, you go through a small pass in the town of Costermano and Lake Garda suddenly appears, framed in the radiant Garda bay.
Here, in summer, you can practise several water sports including sailing, water skiing, surfing, and ski surfing.
Or you can visit all the picturesque towns that are spread out towards the north on the Verona side of the lake, one after the other, and each more beautiful than the other: Garda, Torri del Benaco, Malcesine, up until Torbole, but here we are already in Trentino.
It is mandatory to stop between Garda and Torri del Benaco because you can’t miss out on a swim in the beautiful bay of mermaids. Many consider this to be the most romantic and picturesque corner of the lake.
Further south, we enter Bardolino, another well-known vineyard area with its famous wine, and Lazise with the castle reflected in the waters of the lake.
If you are on the lake towards the end of July, you absolutely must participate in the most traditional, typical and charming festival in the Garda summer: the “sardellata del pal del vò”.
On a specific evening, several boats meet at the centre of the lake to taste a particular lake dish, “le sardelle”.
And naturally, this is just a good excuse to eat, drink, play and sing until late into the night.
Gardaland
Continuing further south, on the other hand, you reach a town called Castelnuovo del Garda.
The name of this town does not mean much to most people, but if you ask your kids their eyes fill with joy, because this is where you can find Gardaland.
This is the largest and oldest amusement park in Italy.
It stays open until 10 pm and has some of the most innovative attractions.
Peschiera del Garda
The last stop of our journey is Peschiera del Garda.
Peschiera was, together with Mantua, Legnago, and Verona, one of the fortresses that were part of the Austrian Empire defensive system called the Square. Here we can admire the impressive defensive bastions.
But, above all, by bicycle we can travel the cycling track which goes from Peschiera to Mantua along the banks of the Mincio river.
It is 45 km long, to be travelled in silence and in the peace of the countryside of Veneto and Lombardia.