Lake Garda: Best Summer Playground
Northern Italy’s Top Summer Destination for Families and Couples
Known throughout Europe as a family destination Lake Garda always rates high on lists of the best places to take kids. Four major theme parks -- Gardaland, Caneva World Resort, Parco Acquatico Cavour and Parco Naturo Viva -- within a few miles of each other are a tough attraction to beat. Add the beaches, a ride up 6,000-plus-foot Monte Baldo on a revolving cable car, castles to explore and resorts designed to please kids and their parents, and it’s child heaven.
But Lake Garda is far more. It’s one of the most romantic places in a country famous for romance. The beaches that ring with children’s laugher in the day are perfect for moonlight walks. Every town along the scenic shore has a promenade lined with café tables, perfect places to sit and watch the sun set or the moon rise while sampling the fine local wines.
A wine trail through the Bardolino vineyards leads to wineries with tastings and tours. Romantic little restaurants serve local dishes that complement the Bardolino wines, as well as those of nearby Valpolicella and Soave regions.
Castles are not just for kids – adults have just as much fun dreaming away a few hours in a Medieval fortress and photographing the lake and dramatic Dolomites mountain views from their towers. Malcesine’s stone castle stands on a cliff over the lake, in one of its most scenic spots, and far below is a tiny sand beach in a cove under the cliff. Only a few local couples will have made their way down the trail to this hidden retreat.
Sirmeone’s tiny castle seems right out of a fairy tale with its drawbridge – the only land entrace to the town. Arrive by lake steamer on a dreamy day-tour of the southern towns, or plan a longer stay to luxuriate in Sirmeone's spa. The healing waters were used by the Romans, and the poet Catullo built his villa on the too-romantic cypress-studded point, surrounded on three sides by lake.
Modern-day travelers can stay in newer villas, especially on the lake’s quieter western shore. The towns around Gardone Riviera were favorites of the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century, and you can stay in elegant villas that have been turned into luxurious and very romantic lodgings, such as Villa del Sogno and Villa Feltrini. Both also have wonderfully romantic restaurants with exceptional wine cellars. Right on the lake is the Grand Hotel Gardone, where you can dance to live music in the evenings.
And if active sports rock your romantic boat, Torbole is Italy’s wind surfing capital, and the lake is surrounded by mountains for climbing. Sailboats are available for rent all around the lake, especially in the north, where the winds are best.
The lake has a lot more attractions, or you can just enjoy the changing views of the rock-capped Dolomites reflected in the water as you drive around the shore road. So whether you’re planning a trip for the whole family or a romantic getaway for two, Lake Garda is the perfect summer playground.
