Lake Garda, a boat trip
- Part 1, South Lake
This boat itinerary covers the Garda Lake.
This boat trip takes one entire day, with a 55 minute break in Riva del Garda, just enough for a quick lunch. With the low season there is only one run of the boat, and the service is suspended during some months, so check the most recent schedule before going. In autumn (2006) there is a run that leaves Peschiera at 9:10 AM and returns back arriving in Peschiera at 6:45 PM. You will pass the entire day on the boat.
Photo ©
echbremmer
You can easily reach Peschiera del Garda from Milan in about one hour and half train ride, on the Trenitalia state railway company, along the Venice line.
Of course you can also reach Peschiera, with a Car, there is an autostrada that runs from Milan to Venice (A4), and there is an exit at Peschiera.
Peschiera del Garda
Situated in the strategic point in which the Mincio flows from Lake Garda, Peschera has been important military garrison in various centuries. Already inhabited during the prehistoric era, it was called Arlica under the ancient Romans, it was fortified during the Middle Ages and then militarized by the Venetians in the mid 16th century with walls and rock based on plans by Gudobaldo da Urbino and Sammicheli.
In the end the Austrians made it a headquarters for the famous "quadrilateral" with Verona, Mantova and Lagnano. Today it is a popular tourist resort and industrial center.
Its historical nucleus is still enclosed within 16th walls reinforced by four ramparts at the corners. Of interest is the Palazzina del Comando del Presidio, where a meeting was held the day after of the defeat of Caporetto.
Today it displays relics of the "Risorgimento" era and of World War I. At a brief distance, between the morainic eleveations surrounding the Frassino lake west of Peschiera, stands the 16th century Santuario della Madonna del Frassino. The stretch of territory which extends from this town to the Sirmione peninsula is called "Lugana and it is famous for its wine. Here the Lake's fleet took shelter in the navy yard of port Peschiera.
Peschiera del Garda - Photo©
Culetto d'oro
Lazise
Departing from the pier "Unita' d'Italia", the boat re-ascends the basin along the eastern shore, covered with vineyards and olive trees, and passes the small town of Pacengo with 18th century Camuzzoni Villas, the 19th century Villa Bottonay (now Barbaro).
In less than thirty minutes, the boat brings you to Lazise where you can take in a beautiful view of the Lake with Rocca di Manerba an the left and the Sirmione peninsula to the left.
Glancing inland you will see Peschiera and the Mantuan ramification. In Lazise, the ancient Lastium, there is a castle, reinforced by the Scaligeri in the 11th century, subsequently noblemen from Verona enclosed it into a strategic and military outpost.
While agriculture and breeding made Lazise an active business center, the town has also discovered its tourist "calling". The historic center has preserved its medieval appearance thanks to the Scaligere walls, which lead to the castle, and the five towers dominated by a high donjon.
Other worthwhile visits are the 12th century Church of San Nicolo' with its 16th century bell tower near the small port, and the low, long 16th century Dogana (Customs) building which dates back to Venetian rule.
Just beyond Lazise, you pass the villa "La Pergolana" a 19th century edifice which incorporates an ancient convent. Then you will pass Cisano where you can admire the full width of the Lake as well as the 8th century parish of Santa Maria - seat of the Annual Bird Fair (September the 8th).
Bardolino - Photo ©
agus_denz
Bardolino
After doubling at Punta Mirabello, you land in Bardolino. A business center and tourist resort, it is renowned for its esteemed namesake wine. It has been a prehistoric site, a Roman village and during the Middle Ages, a Scaligero protectorate.
From this era two gates and an ancient crenellated tower of the old Lakeshore castle remain. There are two important monuments: the 9th century Church of San Zeno, which is among the most prominent Italian edifices from the Carolingian Era; and the 10th century Church of San Severo, restored in Romanesque style in the 12th century, that houses 13th and 14th century frescoes.
On the vast inlet of Bardolino face the parks of the villa Giuliani-Sanfilippi and the villa of Bottagisio, both from the last century.
Garda
A brief ten minutes ride brings you to Garda, the charming resort town situated in the center of a gulf enclosed by the slopes of Mount Baldo and the morainic elevations.
Already inhabited during prehistoric times (proof of which may be found in the necropolis and the rock engravings found along the path leading to Torri del Benaco), it became an important center for the Romans, the Longobardo and the French.
A story is tied to the no longer existing "Rocca" (rock): Berengario II, Marquis of Ivrea, supposedly held prisoner the Queen Adelaide, widow of King Lotario, guilty of having refused the marriage proposal of Berengario's son. She was eventually able to escape and take refuge in Canossa.
In the ancient core of Garda there is a medieval village facing the three lined Lakeshore with the English-style park of Villa Albertini at the end. This is one of Lake Garda's largest complexes, and despite various transformations over the course of time, it has still preserved the look of a medieval castle with four crenellated towers.
It was here on the 10th of June, 1848, that Carlo Alberto received the act of annexation of Lombardia and Piedmont. A walkable distance from Garda is the Eremo dei Camaldolesi (Camaldolesi Heritage) just near the famous "Rocca".
Lake Garda, a boat trip - Part 2, north lake
One day trips from Milan without a car:
Milan on foot
Milan - Chiaravalle Abbey
Bergamo Alta
Bologna
Isola Comacina on Lake Como
Lecco and Bellagio by boat
Como and Bellagio by boat,
Isole Borromee on Lake Maggiore
Arona, Angera on Lake Maggiore
Arona, Rocca di Angera on Lake Maggiore
Villa Taranto on Lake Maggiore
Mottarone on Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore, Arona to Stresa by boat
Stresa - Locarno, a day boat trip
The Garda Lake - a day boat trip
Pavia, the city
Pavia, the Certosa
Portofino in winter
© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
TangoItalia - Food, Wine, Travel, and... tango in Italy.
Bergamo:
- Piazza Vecchia
- Le mura Venete
- Basilica
-
Capp. Colleoni
Bergamo one day
Bergamo & Como
Brescia
- in one day
Cremona
Lake Como:
One day trip
Bellagio
Bellagio - Como
Lecco - Bellagio
Bellagio - Colico
Villa Carlotta
Menaggio
Varenna
Isola Comacina
Villa Balbianello
Garda Lake:
- a day boat trip
Salo
Desenzano
Gardone Riviera
Gargnano
Limone s/ Garda
Magasa
Sirmione
Sirmione Baths
Tignale
Tosc. Maderno
Tremosine
A quick tour
Lake Iseo:
Lake Maggiore:
St.Caterina Sasso
Angera
Angera Dolls
Angera Rocca
Mottarone
Isole Borromee
Villa Taranto
Milan Region
Milan food
Milan wine