Palm trees swaying in cool, Lakeside breezes; olive trees basking in warm, comforting sunlight; mountains and swimmers alike plunging into the fresh blue waters-a stay in Trentino would not be complete without a visit to the northern shore of Italy's largest Lake, Lago di Garda.
It's difficult to say which is the better route to take to the lake's northern bank. While the route from the north through the Valle dei Laghi, past the stunning castles of Arco and Drena and the boulder field near the Marocche di Dro, may be more interesting and scenic, the route from the east (though there are some points of interest along the way, the old church in the village of Mori with its over-sized clock comes to mind) offers a spectacular view of the lake from above, just past the village of Nago, as the road, lined with olive trees, descends toward the lakeside resort towns of Torbole and Riva del Garda below.
Connecting the two towns is a walking/bike path yielding easy access to crisp, clean beaches, parks and exotic gardens, and access to all kinds of watersports. The steady winds from the south provide an ideal environment for windsurfing and sailing (Riva del Garda is said to be Europe's windsurfing capital). Boats and equipment are available for rent from the many shops and stands set up along the lake, with lessons available as well.
Large glass windshields, evidence of the wind's potential strength, protect the lakeside restaurants and cafés, maintaining an enchanting view and atmosphere without disrupting a meal or a casual conversation over a relaxing beverage. Riva, with its walled city center, has perhaps the highest concentration of tourist shops in the province, selling multi-colored and multi-shaped pastas, local wines and limoncino, hats and t-shirts, etc. Lakeside activities aside, other attractions include the Torre d'Apponale, which is occasionally open to tourists, the Rocca di Riva, a moated fortress with a small museum inside (Museo Civico la Rocca), and a reptile museum for those interested in snakes, scorpions and such (Reptiland). The towns of Arco and Tenno nearby offer many more things do to, hiking and rock climbing, for example, and each has its own unique historic and cultural attractions-castles and museums, markets and shopping, and gardens and an arboretum.
From Riva del Garda, all points south on the lake are easily accessible via the various ferry lines that arrive and depart regularly from its busy port, linking Riva to other lakeside towns and villages of Lombardia and Veneto. Limone sul Garda in Lombardia, famous for its lemon groves cultivated since Roman times and Limoncino, a crisp, fresh digestivo, and Malcesine in Veneto, with cable car access to Monte Baldo at over 1700 meters above the lake, are some nearby popular destinations.
Tip: Ferry service is seasonal, check the schedules with the various operators to be sure that there is a ferry if you plan on being there in late fall, winter or early spring.
Tip: Buses depart regularly from Trento, but take different routes to Riva. If there is a particular route you wish to take, be sure to check the stops/schedule and make a note of any changes (either at Rovereto, Sarche or Arco).
It's difficult to say which is the better route to take to the lake's northern bank. While the route from the north through the Valle dei Laghi, past the stunning castles of Arco and Drena and the boulder field near the Marocche di Dro, may be more interesting and scenic, the route from the east (though there are some points of interest along the way, the old church in the village of Mori with its over-sized clock comes to mind) offers a spectacular view of the lake from above, just past the village of Nago, as the road, lined with olive trees, descends toward the lakeside resort towns of Torbole and Riva del Garda below.
Connecting the two towns is a walking/bike path yielding easy access to crisp, clean beaches, parks and exotic gardens, and access to all kinds of watersports. The steady winds from the south provide an ideal environment for windsurfing and sailing (Riva del Garda is said to be Europe's windsurfing capital). Boats and equipment are available for rent from the many shops and stands set up along the lake, with lessons available as well.
Large glass windshields, evidence of the wind's potential strength, protect the lakeside restaurants and cafés, maintaining an enchanting view and atmosphere without disrupting a meal or a casual conversation over a relaxing beverage. Riva, with its walled city center, has perhaps the highest concentration of tourist shops in the province, selling multi-colored and multi-shaped pastas, local wines and limoncino, hats and t-shirts, etc. Lakeside activities aside, other attractions include the Torre d'Apponale, which is occasionally open to tourists, the Rocca di Riva, a moated fortress with a small museum inside (Museo Civico la Rocca), and a reptile museum for those interested in snakes, scorpions and such (Reptiland). The towns of Arco and Tenno nearby offer many more things do to, hiking and rock climbing, for example, and each has its own unique historic and cultural attractions-castles and museums, markets and shopping, and gardens and an arboretum.
From Riva del Garda, all points south on the lake are easily accessible via the various ferry lines that arrive and depart regularly from its busy port, linking Riva to other lakeside towns and villages of Lombardia and Veneto. Limone sul Garda in Lombardia, famous for its lemon groves cultivated since Roman times and Limoncino, a crisp, fresh digestivo, and Malcesine in Veneto, with cable car access to Monte Baldo at over 1700 meters above the lake, are some nearby popular destinations.
Tip: Ferry service is seasonal, check the schedules with the various operators to be sure that there is a ferry if you plan on being there in late fall, winter or early spring.
Tip: Buses depart regularly from Trento, but take different routes to Riva. If there is a particular route you wish to take, be sure to check the stops/schedule and make a note of any changes (either at Rovereto, Sarche or Arco).
