When we can’t decide where to go for a long weekend, we usually flip a coin over Scotland, Ireland, or Italy. Italy won, a perfect choice for finding warmer weather at the end of March, so we planned a weekend at Lake Garda.
Lake Garda, in norther Italy, is truly stunning. The southern end is flat and lined with vineyards, while the northern end rises dramatically into the mountains at the foot of the Dolomites. We stayed halfway up the eastern shore, in the quaint town of Malcesine.
Lake Garda
Our timing, we were told, couldn’t have been better. The following weekend, Easter, marks the start of the busy season, when crowds begin to pour in to every village. Instead, we enjoyed a more relaxed atmosphere with relatively empty streets while exploring Malcesine.
We visited the castle, strolled along narrow cobblestone streets lined with charming shops and restaurants, and took in the views from the lakeside boardwalk, soaking up the sunshine from one of the many spots along the water.
Always ready to try the local specialties, we sampled local wines of Valpolicella and Bardolino, and even found a pint of Guinness. Limoncello Spritz are a must-have at the lake, a perfectly light and refreshing drink. Between the incredible food, the excellent wine, and the breathtaking setting, everything was perfect.
Walking the boardwalk south of Malcesine offers fabulous views back to the town with its backdrop of mountains. That nice feeling of being at a lake plus the rustic feel to the town made us feel that we stepped back in time. We could just picture this area with artists and writers visiting from the late 1800’s into the 1900’s, bring attention to this gem of an area. From the cheerful “buongiorno’s” to sipping Limoncello Spritz in the sun, the atmosphere was so relaxing.
Verona
After two and a half wonderful days at the lake, we returned our rental car back to the airport and hopped in a cab to central Verona. We had one more night before our flight home, time to explore this charming city.
Verona is a beautiful Italian city, perhaps best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It’s also home to a Roman arena, slightly older than the Colosseum in Rome, and not quite as grand, but impressive to see.
We crossed the river and climbed steps up a hill to many beautiful panoramic views over the city and the river.
On our last night in Italy, we found more fantastic food and wine to enjoy. After this great get-away, it was time to say good-bye to the sunshine, the scenery, and the warm hospitality of Italy, and head back to Germany for a little more winter.
We highly recommend visiting Lake Garda for its outstanding scenery and wonderfully relaxing get-away, especially if you can time your trip during the quieter shoulder seasons and avoid the crowds. While it’s an ideal place to unwind, there’s also a ton of activities around the lake and mountains. There’s boat rides, biking and hiking, a cable car that goes up Monte Baldo, exploring other lakeside towns, checking out the caves in the hills, and experiencing the Garda winds with kite surfing or paragliding.
Malcesine makes a perfect home base, and the nearby village of Castelletto also looks like an intriguing, quieter place to stay. Even more rustic, the lakeside glamping sites and campsites look like a grand adventure.
Lake Garda and Verona Logistics
| Flights | Air Dolomiti / Lufthansa Stuttgart – Frankfurt – Verona Verona – Munich – Stuttgart |
| Rental Car | SIXT, from Verona Airport Highly Recommend |
| Lake Garda Hotel | Hotel Lago di Garda Malcesine Highly Recommend! |
| Meals in Malcesine | Everywhere we ate in Malcesine was wonderful! We especially liked: Ristorante La Pace |
| Verona Hotel | Hotel Accademia Highly Recommend! |
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