The “Riviera degli Olivi” is a lovely area, full of coves, villages and castles, extending from Malcesine to Peschiera del Garda. It offers so much in the way of entertainment from theme parks, spas, and water sports, to trekking and biking routes among vineyards and olive trees.

Malcesine (VR) A busy tourist town famous for Castello Scaligero and the Palazzo dei Capitani, in Venetian style; streets with elegant shops and pubs criss-cross the town centre.

Torri del Benaco (VR) An ancient town dominated by the Castello Scaligero. It is laid out as a medieval town with buildings that date back to Venetian domination.

Garda (VR) Garda faces the bay of the same name. The Hermitage of Camaldolesi overlooks the town, while Renaissance buildings dominate the town centre. On the north side, lies Punta San Vigilio, a breathtaking peninsula offering an unforgettable view.

Bardolino (VR) As well as being famous for its wine, Bardolino offers medieval and Romanesque churches as San Zeno, San Severo and Santa Maria di Cisano.

Lazise (VR) has a charming promenade, Castello Scaligero, the Dogana and the Romanesque church of San Nicolò.

Peschiera del Garda (VR) The old town centre is packed with medieval streets and many shops. It also offers a 40 km bicycle path connecting the town to the beautiful city of Mantua, through the Parco del Mincio.

The west coast is symbolised by the “Riviera dei limoni”, extending from Limone sul Garda to Salò.

The entire coast is fertile territory for the cultivation of fragrant lemons and has been so since the 13th century.

The southern part of the coast, down to Sirmione, is known as the “Riviera dei Castelli e della Valtenesi”. It also includes the western hinterland with its vineyards and olive groves.

Limone sul Garda (BS) A small tourist town with some beautiful old lemon houses.

Tremosine (BS) Situated in the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano. The town is made up of several hamlets and overlooks the entire lake.

Gargnano (BS) This town is famous for its lemon groves, olive groves, and aristocratic residences, but it is also a major site for cultural events and elegant hotels.

Gardone Riviera (BS) Since the 19th century, Gardone has been popular with the European aristocracy. A botanical garden surrounds it. Today it is famous for the Vittoriale degli Italiani, Gabriele D’Annunzio’s old home. Its beautiful open-air theatre is the setting for entertaining cultural programmes.

Salò (BS) The town is a real jewel of the lake, overlooking a charming bay. The centre is full of small streets and squares, with aristocratic residences, elegant shops, restaurants and bars.

Manerba del Garda (BS) Well known for the Parco della Rocca di Manerba, it offers some great walks. From here you can take the ferry to Isola del Garda, the magnificent Borghese Island.

Desenzano del Garda (BS) Nestling in the centre of a large bay, Desenzano is one of the liveliest towns on the lake, offering tourist facilities, shops, events and a large number of excursions.

Sirmione (BS) The old town of Sirmione sits on a peninsula, with a fantastic view. You can visit Castello Scaligero and stroll down the many alleyways with shops, pubs and restaurants. The Roman residence of Grotte di Catullo is on the hilltop. The town also offers the beautiful Romanesque Church of San Pietro in Mavino, built by the local fishermen. Then there are the thermal baths, where you can enjoy the lake, and dip into warm water with its therapeutic properties.

On the hill behind Bardolino, on the Rocca, we find the Hermitage of San Giorgio, a popular religious and tourist destination. It is connected to the town by a dirt road whose last stretch leads uphill to a splendid viewpoint, protected by centuries-old cypress trees.

The hermitage was built in the mid-17th century, above the ancient church dedicated to the Dalmatian saint, which until 1532 dominated the hill. The new hermitage faithfully followed the layout usually adopted by more recent Camaldolese hermitages, with a sober and straightforward design. The church houses valuable works by Paglia and Palma il Giovane.

The Parco del Mincio is a large marshy area, extending from the south of the lake to the river Po. It hosts rich vegetation and a vast array of animal species. All in all, it is the perfect place for lovely trips by foot or by bicycle, thanks to its extraordinary nature and its historic towns.

The Mincio Park area is rather large (including 13 municipalities). Amidst the morainic hills you can admire medieval villages, ducal palaces, Scaligeri  fortifications, lakes and forests of oaks, which are typical of the Padana Plain. Some areas are real wildlife reserves, inhabited by storks, herons, grebes, marsh harries and small birds. You can visit the park on a guided tour, organised by the Park, or by river among groves of reeds and water lilies. You can access the park by bicycle directly from Peschiera on an undemanding and safe cycle path.

This beautiful terrace overlooking Lake Garda is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, and tourists.

The lush flora and unusual morphology was once known as Hortus Europae – Botanical Garden of Europe. Dominating the Vallagarina and upper Garda, with views of the Pre Alps and the Dolomites, it offers very varied landscapes. As we climb, the Mediterranean bush of the slopes near the lake, with olive trees and grapevines, oleanders and lavender, turns into forests of oak and chestnut trees and then ash trees and pines. The paths and trails (well marked), are suitable for any level of fitness. There are many opportunities to take a snack along ancient mule tracks and trails where we happen upon fragrant protected floral species like the orchid, saxifrage and various types of lilies. It is easy to spot chamois, marmots, hares and foxes, as well as the beautiful golden eagles.

Monte Baldo is easily to reach from Malcesine, a jewel set between lake and mountains (30 km north of Bardolino), thanks to the new cable car and large car park. The cable car takes visitors to the first station at San Michele, at 600 metres and then, with a cabin that rotates to offer a spectacular panoramic view, to the 1,780-metre peak. The 4325 m trip takes just 10 minutes.