Indagare’s Emma Pierce
“With craggy precipices rising out of the waters and lush plants and flowers edging the shores, Lake Garda draws visitors seeking dramatic landscapes, quaint waterfront villages, daredevil waters ports and lake swimming.”
With jagged cliffs carved by the last Ice Age, Lake Garda boasts one of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes, and yet it is often overlooked in favor of the celebrity-adored Lake Como, which lies two hours west by car. What Lake Garda lacks in movie star glitz, it more than makes up for with a slower pace of life that emphasizes relaxation, authentic Italian living and an atmosphere that transports visitors to an era when literary legends (Catullus, Lord Byron, Ezra Pound) frequented its calming shores.
-
Perfect forRomantics | Ultimate Indulgers
-
When to goJune-August | September-November
-
Ideal length of stay3-5 Nights
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
4 Days: Essential Lake Garda
Indagare can arrange a customized itinerary for families or couples to Lake Garda that incorporates cooking classes, guided biking and hiking and private boat tours. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Day 1 – On the Water
Italy’s largest lake at 30 miles long, Lake Garda is a paradise for boating enthusiasts, and travelers’ first day there should be spent on the water, visiting islands and partaking in waters ports like scuba diving (there are some wrecks from WWII that line the lake’s floor), waterskiing and windsurfing. After boating, spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel.
Day 2 – In the Mountains
Serious hikers have more than ample opportunity to explore the mountains surrounding Lake Garda. Beginner walking tours can be arranged, but for seasoned climbers, Indagare can arrange full- or half-day hikes, including one to the top and along the ridge of Monte Baldo, which stands at just over 7,000 feet high, and others along the historical trails of World War I.
Day 3-5 – Touring villages
Enjoy the next few days exploring Garda’s many towns, including the historic Salò, beautiful Sirmione and the lavish grandeur of the Gardone Riviera. Families should visit the nearby Gardaland Amusement Park, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Couples and families should explore Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, known for its medieval architecture and city design.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
Courtesy Grand Hotel a Villa FeltrinelliRead MoreGrand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
At a Glance Set on eight acres on the edge of Lake Garda, this extravagant mini-castle was built in 1892 as a retreat for the Feltrinelli family, who made their fortune in lumber, but has operated as a hotel since...
Read MoreVilla Arcadio
This subtle, luxurious hideaway is the perfect romantic retreat for travelers on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice style and good service.
