Lake Garda

Lake Garda or Benaco is the biggest Italian lake. It extends for over one hundred kilometres of latitude in the provinces of Brescia and Mantova (Lombardia), Verona (Veneto) and Rovereto (Trentino Alto Adige), subdivided into about twenty administrations of small towns and country wards.

The landscape of Lake Garda is one of the most spectacular of Europe, created through the centuries following glacial processes of erosion and accumulation.
The entire area of Lake Garda is part of landscape characterised by the valleys which form its basin, by the surrounding morainic hills, which form a natural amphitheatre, and by the sheer mountains all around.
Lake Garda owes its origins to two great glaciations of the Quaternary period. The morainic hills of Lake Garda consist of boulders, pebbles, gravel and sand, which the glaciers pushed in front of themselves as they moved down. Water formed by the melting of the glaciers formed Lake Garda and other minor sheets of water.

The Lake Garda area was inhabited since the prehistoric era. Although the presence of men has slowly modified the landscape, in many of its zones, Lake Garda still has some exceptional and attractive natural views and environmental aspects. The green hills, the crystalline waters and the breathtaking views have through the decades fascinated many poets, artists and writers from Goethe to D'Annunzio.

The eastern shore of Lake Garda, i.e. the Veronese shore of Lake Garda, is normally called the Riviera of Olives. This name directly refers to the vegetation, typical of the Mediterranean area, which grows along the shores of Lake Garda. Olive trees, cypress trees, vines, fruit trees, agaves and many other plants from more southerly zones grow on the shores of Lake Garda, blessed by a very mild climate, with few daily and seasonal temperature ranges.

Olive and cypress trees are the typical plants of Lake Garda. The olive was introduced to the Benaco region in Etruscan times, but became part of the typical vegetation of Lake Garda only in the Roman age, when its cultivation became widespread. Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation coexists in close harmony at Lake Garda. Lake Garda can be easily reached from the main regions of northern and central Europe and from the main cities of northern Italy. In fact, Lake Garda is situated on the crossroads two of the most important Italian motorways: A22 Brennero – Modena and A4 Milan - Venice. There are two exits on the A22 enabling travellers to comfortably reach the Veronese shore of Lake Garda: Affi – Lago di Garda Sud and Riva del Garda – Lago di Garda Nord. Along the A4 the main exits to Lake Garda are: Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda. The Lake Garda zone is also served by important railway communication lines and by one of Northern Italy's chief airports - Valerio Catullo of Verona.

The waters of Lake Garda have an average annual temperature of about 12°. The relatively low temperature, the result of the glacial origin of the lake and its geographic position, make the waters particularly limpid and crystalline. However, during the summer season, the temperature of the waters of Lake Garda, rises sufficiently to enable swimming. The water level of Lake Garda often rises suddenly following a drop of atmospheric pressure. The deepest point of Lake Garda measures 346 m and lies in front of Magugnano. The shallowest point far from the shores is close to Pal de Vo', and measures 4 m. The waters of Lake Garda are on average 65 m above sea level and, with respect to the other lakes of the pre-Alpine zone, record few variations.

Another landscape element which characterises Lake Garda is the Monte Baldo chain on the Veronese shore, and Monte Pizzocolo on the western shore of Benaco.
Monte Baldo is located at the western end of the Veneto pre-Alps and extends for about 40 km from the Veronese area up to Trentino, running alongside Lake Garda. The height of Monte Baldo varies from 65 m at the level of Lake Garda to 2218 m of the Cima Valdritta peak. The western side of Monte Baldo rises sheer above Lake Garda creating attractive, striking landscapes. Monte Baldo has not yet finished evolving. This is confirmed by many small earthquakes which from time to time shake Lake Garda and the Verona area.

The other mountain characterising Lake Garda is Monte Pizzoccolo, also known as Monte Gu (probably from the French adjective aigu - sharp - to testify the period of French domination of the zone). An incredible landscape can be admired from Monte Pizzoccolo: the central and southern regions of Lake Garda, the Adamello group, Monte Rosa and even the Apennines.

Travellers who decide to reach or stay on the shores of Lake Garda, in addition to enjoying the nature and landscapes of the Benaco, can enjoy many cultural and pleasure opportunities offered by the structures of Lake Garda. The Lake Garda region boasts a past rich in historical tradition and fascination, as testified by the castles, museums, monuments, churches and villas of the nobility along the shores and hinterland of Lake Garda. The great artistic heritage of the whole Verona area, enables lovers of art and culture to explore history, art and traditions along an ideal route connecting Verona, Valpolicella and Lake Garda. During the summer season, the castles and museums of Lake Garda are normally open until the evening, closing only during the lunch beak. Many historic villas of Lake Garda, but also of Valpolicella, are privately owned and can be visited by directly contacting the proprietors or by participating at one of the many in-villa cultural events organised during the whole summer season.

Churches, hermitages, monasteries and sanctuaries make the Lake Garda area and it green hinterland a zone rich in spiritual places. The churches of Lake Garda, simple and sober in Romanesque style, invite and encourage spiritual meditation and prayer. Therefore, in the Lake Garda area one can also find places of peacefulness and inner peace in the midst of the frenzy and confusion of one of the most visited tourist areas of Northern Italy.

The hoards of Lake Garda tourists can enjoy the widespread products and services on offer in the alleys and piazzas of the small towns typical of Lake Garda. Shopping by Lake Garda in summer is not tied down to any fixed hours: from early in the morning to late at night, you can stroll among luxury boutiques, shops selling the typical products of Lake Garda, resale of souvenirs and knickknacks, as well as many points of sale offering the most trendy Italian fashions.

The beaches on the shores of Lake Garda are almost all freely accessed, with the exception of small zones reserved for customers of hotels or camping sites. Take sun, read a book, swim in Lake Garda: that's how to live a holiday of absolute relaxation on Lake Garda, a few kilometres from Verona.

Sports enthusiasts need not worry: Lake Garda offers countless possibilities to practice many different sports.
Everywhere along the shores of Lake Garda, you can take long and pleasant walks. Along the slopes of Monte Baldo, which lie alongside Lake Garda, mountain bike lovers will find routes with different levels of difficulty, that will satisfy everyone's requirements. Lake Garda is also the ideal place for lovers of windsurf, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, deep diving and pleasure boating, especially in the upper part of Lake Garda, which has high winds all the year through.
Mountain lovers can make excursions on Monte Baldo, from where to enjoy marvellous panoramas of Lake Garda, or increase their adrenaline level with many other breathtaking activities: hang gliding, free climbing, canoeing and walks on iron reinforced paths, for amateurs and competitors.

For families, young people and kids, the numerous pleasure parks, natural parks, and aquatic parks, which can be found near Lake Garda - Gardaland, Caneva World, Parco Giardino Sigurtà, Parco termale Villa dei Cedri etc. - offer great opportunities to spend a pleasure oriented day.

Verona Apartments, Farm Holidays, Bed and Breakfast, Country House Hotels, Residencies in Verona, Valpolicella, and Lake Garda,

advise all those wishing to visit Lake Garda to find accommodation in the following structures:

San Ciriaco Relais Country House Hotel and Bed and Breakfast for Farm Holidays in Verona Valpolicella (Italy): the ideal place for those wishing to stay in a completely relaxed and reserved manner, in a hilly zone immersed in greenery.

Residenza San Tomaso furnished apartments for rent B&B in central Verona for those looking to go to the opera or cinema, or to go shopping on the streets of central Verona, walking around in comfort.