On the outskirts of Lombardy, just a 1.5-hour drive from Milan, lies one of Italy's natural attractions - Lake Garda (Italian: Lago di Garda). The blue waters of this pond are surrounded by the lush greenery of Italian nature and the mighty slopes of the Alpine mountains.
Garda is the largest lake in the country, its length is 52 km, width - 17 km, surface area of the water - 370 km2. The lake and its surrounding areas are an ideal place to relax, both in summer and in autumn. A mild and warm climate, magnificent views and many options for leisure activities.
Geographic features
The shape of the lake, if you look at it from a height of heaven, resembles a Neanderthal hatchet. The reservoir has a pronounced long narrow "shaft" with a wide "head" at the end. Glaciers descending from the peaks of the Alps gave such a curious shape to the valley from time immemorial. Garda is fed by the Aril River, as well as powerful deep springs. At the deepest point, the bottom of the lake is nearly 350 meters from the surface of the water. 
A unique microclimate creates a serrated ridge of the Alpine mountains. He looks like a warm scarf, tied by a caring mother nature, around a picturesque length. Of impressive height, the peaks that go into the sky for a kilometer, or even two, provide excellent calm weather in the lake region.
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Lake name
Such a beautiful corner of Italy was once very fond of the governors of the Roman Empire. They loved to spend their time on the shore of Benaco (lat. Benacus lacus) - the "blessed lake". Later it received the Italian name Garda. As for the name "Garda" there are as many as two versions. According to one of them, the word came from a distortion of the German "Warda", which translated means "guard post". According to another version, the lake was named after a city located nearby in the Veneto region.
Nature and landscapes
On the map of Italy, Lake Garda connects three neighboring regions: Veneto (Italian Veneto), Lombardy (Italian Lombardia) and Trentino Alto Adige (Italian: Trentino-Alto Adige). The eastern shore of the lake, which befell Verona, has a second name - Riviera olives. The gentle Mediterranean climate allows you to grow olive trees in the valley. The Lombardy part of the lake received the name Riviera of lemons. Enterprising Italians arranged lemon gardens in the form of stepped terraces on a gentle slope of the mountains. The region is famous for its winemaking, cuisine and olive oil production. 
Around the perimeter of the lake is surrounded by a dozen small cities that simply bathe in the fragrance of nature and the golden rays of the sun. The clear waters of the Garda smoothly flow into the broken line of the mountain landscape. Terracotta roofs of houses are buried in the lush greenery of vineyards, orchards and natural groves. During the flowering season of grasses and trees, the lake valley is filled with incredible colors. A cocktail of the purest mountain air and the divine aroma of flowers tones and a little dizzy!
Great European writers and artists were regulars in this amazing place. Names such as: Johann Goethe, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce appeared in the registration books of the lodges at Lake Garda. And David Herbert Lawrence mentioned in his memoirs that Lake Garda is beautiful, as the source of creation.
Sights
Sirmione
The city of Sirmione (Italian: Sirmione), located on the western shore of the lake, is a center of tourism. Initially, the modest size of the city (population - 6,000 people) grew, as the region began to gain popularity among tourists. Sirmione has several interesting sights and healing thermal springs. 
The huge fort protecting the city from the lake is the most impressive building in Sirmione. Its name, the Castle of the Scaligers, gives unshakable will and thunder discharging guns. The fort was built in the 13th century and served to guard the port. The battlements guarding the castle are made of gray stone.
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Previously, the drawbridge was the only inward entrance. In modern times, the veteran bridge has handed over its authority to a stationary colleague. The impregnable walls of the castle hide a museum dedicated to the history of the city and the fort. Another urban harbor, equipped with such a tight protection, in Italy can not be found. Especially interesting is the Scaliger castle at night, illuminated by the light of lanterns.
Grotto of Catullus
The remains of the estate of the Roman Guy Valery Catullus (lat.Gaius Valerius Catullus) are known to modern vacationers under the name Grotto Catullo. The poet, who praised the greatness of the Roman Empire, lived in the 1st century BC. Picturesque views of the mountains and the lake valley nourished his muse. Thanks to this, Catullus built his villa on the shore of Lake Benac then. The ruins of a once luxurious house were again discovered only in the 15th century. At that time they were poorly cleared and were water grottoes. 
Adjacent to the estate is a large park filled with olive trees and darkened from time to time fragments of a large villa. A walk in such scenery is akin to a short walk into the past.
Boyola Healing Source
The healing spring of Boyola (Italian: Fonte Boiola) is famous for its waters, which heal many unpleasant diseases. Boiling streams of water saturated with iodine, sulfur and bromine break out from the bowels of the earth at a temperature of 70 0WITH! 
Procedures in Boyola's terms help people get rid of skin diseases, relieve rheumatism and chronic inflammation of the ear. However, visit the thermal spring located in Hotel Fonte Boiolaquite healthy and contented travelers are welcome. The complex of SPA procedures, as well as extremely useful events to maintain beauty and health, will satisfy the desires of even the most capricious client.
Fat
Another Lombardian city of Salo (Italian: Salò) is famous for a wide variety of water activities. The complex of villas in which the members of the government of the Italian Social Republic, as well as the personally Duce Mussolini (1942-43) are, is a historical attraction.
Desenzano del garda
The town of Desenzano del Garda (Italian: Desenzano del Garda) captivates with its views of the lake. Walking along the streets of this city you can endlessly enjoy the smooth, like a mirror, waters of the Garda.
Art lovers will be interested in a glimpse into the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene. Desenzano del Garda has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. You can go sailing, surfing and scuba diving. And when night falls on the city, young and energetic people will find something to do, numerous clubs and discos hospitably open their doors.
- View Hotels in Desenzano Del Garda
Limone sul Garda
The small town with the citrus name of Limone sul Garda (Italian: Limone sul Garda) also belongs to the Lemon Riviera. The western shore of Lake Garda is the northernmost point where citrus trees bear fruit and ripen. 
Residents of the city are big fans of the fruits they produce. Could this be the reason for their record longevity? The small town is not subject to fuss and anxiety; it will offer its guests delicious home-cooked meals, leisurely walks and a practically village pastoral. Limone sul Garda is great for families, especially those traveling with children.
- View Hotels in Limono sul Garda
Malcesine
On the eastern shore of the lake is the city of Malcesine (Italian: Malcesine). He is not only amazingly beautiful, but also closely connected with the life of the German poet Johann Goethe. Travelers will be able to visit the city museums, climb to the top of Mount Baldo using the funicular. And in the evenings, from the rolling hills of Malcesine, a beautiful view of the Scaliger Castle, where weddings are often played, opens. 
By the way, air currents descending along the slopes of the mountains allow windsurfing and parachuting lovers to turn around perfectly.
- Recommended Hotels in Malcesine
- An example of a wedding on Lake Garda in the Scaliger Castle
Gardone Riviera
Gardone Riviera (Italian: Gardone Riviera) is a kind of place for elite relaxation in the valley of Lake Garda. Luxurious villas, fragrant nature, the huge Botanical Garden named after Andre Heller create an indescribable atmosphere. In the days of tsarist Russia, wealthy and powerful people often looked at this resort.
- View Hotels in Gardone Riviera
Bardolino
The city of Bardolino (Italian: Bardolino) is surrounded by greenery. It is located on fertile land, which has been preferred by noble Italians for centuries. In the district of the city there are many villas and palaces. In the city itself it is worth visiting a temple dedicated to the patron saint - Nicholas the Wonderworker. Another brand name of Bardolino is red wine, the taste of which has been admired by visitors to the city for centuries.
Arco Castle
Another historical wonder of Lake Garda is the castle of Arco (Italian: Castello di Arco). According to some information, the castle was built somewhere around 1000 AD. 
Tall towers of the building, rise like candles on a steep mountainside in the Trentino region. Built by wealthy residents of the province, Arco Castle managed to be in the hands of many noble families, including that it belonged to the Scaliger family. The careful restoration of this ancient fort made it possible to put in order numerous frescoes dated to the Middle Ages.
Riva del Garda
The main attraction of the city of Riva del Garda is the ducks, which can rightfully be called the real owners of local beaches. The beaches themselves are a lawn with a very narrow strip of pebbles. This place is ideal for a measured calm family vacation with children. 
Excursions in Russian
On Lake Garda, her own guided tour along the Lemon or Olivkova Riviere is conducted by a guide from the team ITALY FOR ME - Olga Mursyaeva. Depending on the program chosen by tourists, an individual tour, lasting 8 hours, includes a tasting of local wines or a visit to the cheese factory. Recommended!
How to get to Lake Garda
The nearest airports to Lake Garda are in Milan - Malpensa and Bergamo, Venice - Marco Polo and Treviso, Verona - Valerio Catullo Villafranca
There are train stations in the cities of Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda, located on the lake.
From Milan
Several times per hour, regional and high-speed trains from Trenitalia depart from Milan Central Station (Milano Centrale) to Desenzano Station. The Frecciarossa high-speed train can be reached in just 51 minutes, a ticket costs 26 euros. The regional train runs about an hour and a half and will cost you 9.20 euros.
Also, three times a day in the direction of Desenzano from Milan go the best trains in Italy - Italotreno. If you take care of tickets in advance, you can get there for only 9.90 euros.
- See detailed instructions: how to get to Garda from Milan
From Treviso or Trieste
Treviso is a little closer to the lake. With a rented car, you can get to Garda in a couple of hours. If you get from Trieste (Trieste), then the road will take about three hours.
From Verona
If you choose the departure point for Verona, then you can comfortably travel by train to the southern coast of Garda to the city of Desenzano del Garda. Passengers can catch a regional train at Verona Central Station. The train will be on the way for 15-20 minutes, the ticket price is up to 4 euros.
- See instructions: how to get from Verona to Sirmione
To the north of the lake
To the north of the lake, for example, in Riva del Garda can be reached from Rovereto (Rovereto) by bus. Rovereto railway station is connected by high-speed trains to Rome, Verona, Florence, Bologna, Milan.
Also Verona and the Garda coast are connected by bus. Routes No. 162 and 163 will travel along a winding serpentine for about 45-50 minutes. At the same time, passengers can enjoy the views and get off at one of the stations: Bardolino, Garda, Lazise, Malcesine, Riva del Garda. This concludes our short walk along the shores of Lake Garda.
We hasten to assure you that this is far from all the charms of a mountain valley. Believe me, the beauty of the Italian Alps and the affectionate bliss of the Guardian coast cannot be expressed in words. The whole cheerfulness of this hospitable region must be felt on yourself!
