The southern area of Lake Garda is surrounded by splendid and enchanting towns, three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mantua, Verona and Peschiera. Here are a few tips for spending a day exploring them.
Mantua, art, cruises and good food
From the hu Altomincio Village a cycle path runs along the Mincio River and takes you straight into downtown Mantua. The great thing about arriving by this route is once you are in Mantua, you’ll be able to get around quickly by bike (which you can hire directly in the village). There are two unmissable masterpieces in Mantua: the Camera degli Sposi (Bridal Chamber), in the Palazzo Ducale, and the Sala dei Giganti (Chamber of the Giants), at the Palazzo Te. Outside Palazzo Te there is a beautiful park with playgrounds and fountains where you can rest and allow your children play. Then head back downtown and have lunch at one of the ‘social tables’ at the Osteria Quattro Tette. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through the town centre’s piazzas or embark on a Mantua lakes cruise. For a snack, check out the Loggetta ice-cream parlour, or try the bread, pizza, flatbreads, and pastries of Scaravelli.
Verona, on the trail of Romeo and Juliet
The historic centre of Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it take a wander through its streets and along the Adige River (and if you wish, take a cruise), have a coffee on the Listòn promenade bordered by cafes and restaurants, admire the Arena, or look for the houses of Romeo and Juliet (an admission fee is charged to enter the house, but entrance to the courtyard where the famous statue is located is free). A suggestion for lunch: gourmet burgers at Buns or bigoli with sardines and salt cod with polenta at the Trattoria Trota da Luciano.
Sirmione, how to avoid the crowds
Sirmione is a must-see stop on a trip to Lake Garda, and this means no one wants to miss it... The result: every day it is assailed by thousands of tourists. A few tips to avoid the crowds: arrive by boat, this saves on finding and paying for parking, as you disembark from the boat directly into the town centre. Book an experience at Aquaria Thermal SPA, a spa within a lakeside park: whirlpools, effervescent beds, aromatherapy/chromotherapy showers or beauty treatments. Or take a walk down to Jamaica Beach, the beach with tropical colours. A good meal on the main streets of Sirmione is not cheap, but if you are willing to spend a little, pick Il Girasole, otherwise it is fine to bring your own packed lunch.
Desenzano, a tour of the market and then to the beach
The boat is always the best way to reach the lake towns, and the arrival at Desenzano by boat is definitely impressive. The best day to visit to Desenzano is Tuesday, market day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. colourful stalls spread out along the town’s main street. If you’re looking for a touch of culture, head towards the Roman villa. Once it was an elegant villa overlooking the lake, today you can stroll among the remains of its rooms still decorated by beautiful mosaics. Otherwise, saunter around town: the lakefront is pleasant and bustling, with some public beaches for swimming, including the very popular Desenzanino. Piazza Malvezzi is the prettiest corner of the city, with the 16th-century Palazzo Todeschini and the Porto Vecchio (Old Port), it is a touch of Venice in Lombardy. Do as the locals do: sit down at the Agora da Barca and order a Pirlo, the local aperitif, made with still white wine, Campari and soda water.
Peschiera, a boat trip and then a sunset aperitif
The Peschiera-Mantua cycle path from hu Altomincio Village takes you to Peschiera in just a few minutes, and you don't have to waste time looking for and paying for parking. The best way to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site fortress is to take in a boat tour of the defensive canals. Monday is market day, but when you go by bike, traffic is no problem :-). Catch some bargains at the market and then move to the town centre. Enjoy a cone at the Gelateria La Romana (an ice-cream shop chain, but the quality is great) and then treat yourself to some pretty sparkles from Acqua, Earth, and Fire (which also has branches in Lazise and Borghetto) or a hat from Hats and Brothers. Then move to the lakeshore, order a light lunch at Bar la Perla, in a beautiful location under the trees by the lake. Spend the rest of the day at the beach waiting for the sunset.
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