Lake Garda (Italy) embodies the most incredible quirks of nature. It impresses not only with its immense size, but also with an interesting combination of olive groves, sandy beaches and alpine terrain. Probably, it is precisely because of this that tours to Lake Garda are very popular. Natural beauties are complemented by local attractions, historical monuments, he alth resorts. The climate here is always conducive to a wonderful and unforgettable vacation. Hotels on Lake Garda are ready to receive guests all year round. Italy is rich in beautiful places, but this pre-Alpine reservoir deserves special attention.
General information
The lake is conveniently located between three regions: Trentino, Veneto, Lombardy. Scientists still do not have a common opinion about its origin. Some believe that the reservoir was formed from a glacier, others argue that the version of a tectonic formation looks more realistic. Which of them is right, one can only guess. However, it is not so important…
LakeIt is not difficult to find Garda on the map of Italy: it is located between Venice and Milan, and the closest tourist center to it is Verona, located just a couple of kilometers away. The reservoir in length extends for 51.9 kilometers, and the greatest width exceeds 16 kilometers. The northern part of Lake Garda (Italy) is surrounded by mountains reaching a height of two thousand meters. The area of the reservoir is 370 square meters, the maximum depth is 346 meters, the length of the coast is 130 kilometers. This is the largest lake in the country. On its right bank lies Verona, and on the left - the province of Brescia. The reservoir is very attractive for tourists, both Italians and foreign travelers come here to rest. Tours to Lake Garda (Italy) are purchased by both families with children and young people - for any category of people there is a lot of entertainment here. There are 84 tent camps on the banks of the reservoir, 12 sailing schools, 24 high panoramic observation decks with access.
Climatic features
This is a southern pre-alpine reservoir with a unique climate. The mountain peaks of the Dolomites never let the cold wind through. In summer, the weather remains warm, but not too hot - the temperature does not exceed twenty-two degrees. In winter, the thermometer does not drop below zero. Garda is a lake, the water temperature on the surface of which, on average, does not rise above twelve degrees. Sometimes, as a result of a drop in atmospheric pressure, a significant rise in water occurs. Sometimes storms happen here, but meteorologists warn about them in advance. Tours onLake Garda (Italy) is also so popular due to excellent fishing. This place is just perfect for fishing - pike, cod, trout, tench, etc. are found in huge numbers here.
Natural conditions
The surrounding landscapes beckon with interesting landscapes and lush vegetation. The rocky northern mountains give way to gentle, verdant southern hills. The mild climate creates excellent conditions for Mediterranean vegetation: orange, lemon, olive trees, bergamot, cypresses, orchids, vineyards are in abundance here. Perhaps, it was precisely because of the natural features that the ancient Romans placed their rich villas here and organized a settlement. Probably not the last role in this was played by the presence of thermal springs, which are now famous for their healing properties.
A bit of history
People began to develop this territory in the Bronze and Iron Ages. On the fertile lands, the tribes of the Etruscans, Ligurts, Veneti, and Gauls succeeded each other. The most significant part of history is the conquest of this area by the Roman Empire. Lake Garda was once called Benacus. The reservoir has always aroused interest, because it acted as an important strategic place in which the Padina Plain and northern Europe were communicated. Those who controlled the lake also controlled navigation, and for the feudal lords in those days, this was especially important. The Romans conquered the area in 963. The Visconti dukes of Milan owned the lake in the fourteenth century, and already in 1815 it became the property ofAustrian Empire (belonged to the Habsburg imperial family).
Entertainment
A holiday on Lake Garda (Italy) is remembered for its first-class service. Tourists have the opportunity to have fun in water parks, visit historical monuments, take a walk in various parks, among which is the beautiful Sigurta Botanical Garden. Lake Garda on the map of Italy is located in the most successful way, vacationers can easily get to the most famous cities of the country: visit romantic Venice, fashionable Milan and, of course, magnificent Verona, where not a single tourist has remained indifferent to the thousand-year-old Arena - an open-air opera stage.
Of course, there are all kinds of water activities. The most common are windsurfing and diving, presented at a professional level. Without a doubt, a canoe ride will bring a lot of pleasure, and fishing will make it possible to feel really far from civilization. Tourists who come to Lake Garda (Italy) can do almost any sport: golf, cycling, tennis, horseback riding. There are also walks along the mountain trails. It seems that Lake Garda never falls asleep. Italy is a country of cheerful people, and here it is felt especially brightly. At night, vacationers plunge into the atmosphere of bars and discos, and fireworks illuminate not only the sky, but also the water surface with colorful lights.
Wind
This phenomenon should be mentioned separately. Lake Garda (Italy) attracts thousands oflovers of outdoor activities precisely because of its winds, which allow windsurfing. For this water entertainment, the most convenient is the northern part of the reservoir, which is called Dyuza. There is always a steady wind moving from the mountain peaks. It occurs due to the temperature difference between land and water. A warm, soft stream of air accelerates the waves at speeds up to fifty kilometers per hour. Every year in June, world windsurfing stars come here for the King of Lake competition. The most successful time for conquering the waves is the velvet season (September).
Lake Garda, Italy: Attractions
This place is especially attractive for those who are interested in the history of Italy. Here are collected stunning, not yet fully explored sights. Perhaps the most famous of them is the castle in the city of Sirmione, located directly above the water surface. It was erected by Senor Mastino in the eighteenth century to guard the entrance to the city. The height of the castle is 35 meters, you can get inside only by a drawbridge. The vaults of the building contain unique collections of medieval and ancient Roman tombstones. Crossing the castle, a small passage connects the ancient Christian temple with the ruins of a two-hectare ancient Roman villa, the largest structure of its kind in northern Italy.
Another wonderful place in Sirmione is the thermal springs of Boiola, reaching the surface from an eighteen-meter depth of the lake, in which the water temperature exceedssixty degrees. It is these springs that made the city famous as one of the best thermal resorts in the country.
Desenzano del Garda
This city was once founded by the Romans, it was a flourishing fishing port of the Roman Empire, and began to develop as a resort only in the twentieth century. Now many who come to Lake Garda (Italy) stop here. There is a lot to see in the city. What is worth only an ancient villa towering over Desenzano, which looks like a real castle. Not far from it is the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, where the original painting by Gianbattista Tiepolo "The Last Supper" is kept. Other works of art are also on display in the cathedral.
Wine Museum
You should definitely visit this place. Here, in 1870, the first wine cellars appeared. Many photographs presented in the museum will demonstrate how winemaking developed in the region. Going downstairs, you can independently taste the best samples. Produced in the valley of Lake Garda, the drink is rightfully considered one of the best in Italy and is exported to many countries. These are the famous brands Lugana, Novello, Bianco di Custoza, Chiaretto and others. The museum provides an opportunity to purchase wine on tap and directly from the manufacturer.
Gardaland
Those who want to get vivid impressions and unforgettable sensations should look into the Gardaland amusement park located on the very shore of Lake Garda. There are all kinds of entertainment facilities that are not inferior to Disneyland. However, inThe park presents completely different rides (mostly water), characters and performances. This place will be interesting not only for children - adults in "Gardaland" become children and turn into pirates with pleasure, take part in excavations of Egyptian pyramids, tremble with fear in the "Dead Loop", travel along an underground river, tickle their nerves, hanging upside down in "The Bat". The amusement park gives both small and large what is so lacking in everyday life: the feeling of a real holiday, in which each person is not just a spectator, but a direct participant.
Other places of interest
On Lake Garda is one of the most modern and largest water parks in Italy - Caneva World, you can also visit another large water park offering many types of water attractions - Cavour. Don't miss out on MovieStudios Park, a place where you can meet the most popular heroes of world cinema.
Those who want to escape from the daily hustle and bustle are recommended to visit Sigurta Park, where the rarest species of flowers and plants are collected. This is the only park in all of Italy where you are allowed to ride a bike or car. At the same time, it is an ideal place for hiking. The territory has fifty hectares and is a truly green corner of Italy. Sigurta Park is recognized as the best example of park architecture. Artificially created grottoes and lakes are intertwined with picturesque alleys andvarious compositions of shrubs, flowers and trees.
Another amazing place is Natura Viva. This is an open-air safari park, where a variety of animals are collected, including the inhabitants of the terrarium.
Tourists often come to Lake Garda for the purpose of recovery. In this case, it is simply necessary to visit the Villa dei Cedri thermal park, which is a kind of natural clinic with thermal springs that have special grottoes designed for swimming. Hydromassage services are also provided here.
How to get to Lake Garda
The largest airport in the lake area is the Valerio Catullo air port of Verona. You can also get to the reservoir from Milan airports: Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo, Venice Marco Polo Airport, small Brescia Montichiari Airport. From Milan and Venice, you can get to Lake Garda by the Trenltalia train, which runs between these settlements (you should get off in the city of Desenzano del Garda, which we have already mentioned). Getting to the reservoir by car is also not difficult: if the destination is the southern part of the lake, you should go along the A4 highway (Venice-Milan), and if the north one - along the A22 highway (Modena-Brenner); SS 45 bis Gardesana Occidentale runs along the west coast, SS 249 Gardesana Orientale runs along the east coast.
Move around the lake
Transport navigation here began to develop at the very beginning of the nineteenth century. Possibility of movement incurrently represented by several transport lines connecting Riva del Garda, Torri and Maderno with Peschiera and Desenzano del Garda, Malcesine with Limone. There are also special ferry flights along the route from the central part of the reservoir to the upper one. In the summer, motor ships and speedboats ply the lake, allowing you to move at such a speed as to see most of the sights in one day.
Ultra-modern catamarans are considered a feature of the transport system, they can accommodate up to three hundred passengers, and their power is average between a boat and a motor ship. Without getting out of the car, you can cross the lake on the Mincio and Adamello ferries. However, the cheapest way to travel between coastal cities is by buses that run on both the east and west coasts.
In closing
Now you know a lot about such a wonderful place as Lake Garda (Italy). The photos presented in the article will help you feel the atmosphere of this most attractive resort. But, of course, even the best pictures will not make the impression that tourists get when they come to the lake and see all its beauty with their own eyes. Having visited this wonderful place at least once, you will get unforgettable impressions and keep a piece of Italy in your heart forever. There is a legend that the water of Lake Garda prolongs people's lives so that they can return there again and again. A sea of positive emotions and excellent well-being will be the best souvenirs that you will definitelytake away the memory of this beautiful reservoir. Do not miss the unique opportunity to take a break from everyday life, improve your he alth, recharge your batteries and vivacity. Have a nice trip!
