Italy is a collection of unique places, so much so that it is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, numbering 60. And the Lake Garda area holds some extraordinary pieces of this collection, some renowned, such as the Verona Arena, and others less well-known waiting to be discovered.
The Verona Arena
152 m by 123 m long and a height of 30 m, the Arena is still impressive after 2,000 years. And after 2,000 years, it still provides a space for concerts and shows. Indeed, it has hosted the Arena di Verona Opera Festival for over a century. The Arena is the largest open-air opera house in the world and certainly one of the most impressive, especially before each performance when it is lit up with thousands of little lights made to dance by the 22,000 spectators. The calendar of performances is very varied: operas, ballets, galas and concerts are all staged with spectacular sets.
The Madonna della Corona Sanctuary
‘Spectacular’ is the only word you can use to describe this sanctuary, which clings to the rock face, poised on an overhang at an altitude of 775 m. It takes 15 minutes walking down from the village of Spiazzi to get there, or you can take the shuttle for a fee. However, to walk the ancient Path of Hope (the only way to reach the shrine from the 1500s until 1922), you must start from the village of Brentino and be prepared to face a vertiginous and steep climb up thousands of steps carved into the rock. Catching a glimpse of it as it soars above the tree canopies is awe-inspiring.
Borghetto sul Mincio
Borghetto is a hamlet wrapped in poetry and a medieval atmosphere that oozes from its ancient watermills tucked between reeds and river and the imposing, fortified Visconteo Bridge. The best way to visit Borghetto is via its cycle path that connects Mantua to Peschiera and passes right in front of the hu Altomincio village. The best time for undertaking this short and pleasant bike ride is late morning or early evening, before Borghetto is assailed by tourists. Once you have chained your bike, just stroll down the (two) streets of the town’s centre accompanied by the gentle burbling of the water. Enjoy an ice-cream at the Agrigelateria Corte Vittoria, pick out a piece of bijoux jewellery at Acqua, Terra e Fuoco (that also has branches in Lazise and Peschiera), and then decide where to eat dinner. Borghetto's cuisine offers traditional dishes: at the AnticaLocanda sul Mincio where you can enjoy pumpkin tortelli, and ravioli with pear and cheese or filled with duck and black truffle. For the more adventurous palates, there are stewed snails with polenta, and horse meat. At Stappo, lake fish such as pike are on the menu along with extruded bigoli with sardines and breadcrumbs, pumpkin risotto and Amarone wine with rose cake (the roses are only in the name) accompanied by vanilla sauce with orange aroma. If you have fallen in love with the tortellini, you can buy them at Stappo to take home with you.
Punta San Vigilio
Garda is one of the most picturesque villages on the lake and offers a beautiful lakeside promenade that leads up to Bardolino overlooking the lovely La Cavalla beach. But Garda is most famous for a splendid and unique site, the Punta San Vigilio. You can walk there from Garda, but it’s not an easy walk with children and pushchairs. From the pay-to-park carpark, walk down to Punta San Vigilio along the avenue of centuries-old cypress trees. On the right, a path through an olive grove leads to the Baia delle Sirene and continuing on, there’s a traditional cobbled road that descends towards the Venetian customs house and small church right on the lakeshore. In the small harbour, protected by the walls and an ancient lemon house, there is now a stylish hotel/restaurant the Locanda San Vigilio, with a ‘no shorts’ dress code in the evening. Otherwise, you can opt for the Taverna, which from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. serves cold dishes such as caprese salad, veal with tuna sauce, and lobster salad. Don’t be surprised at the high prices, the atmosphere is worth the cost.
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