Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th June
On Tuesday we left quiet little Diano Marina and headed along the Italian Riviera for the north of Italy. It was lovely along the coast road but slow going for a big stretch, 50k's/per hr, lots of trucks avoiding the toll roads like us. A big day of driving fortified by pizza....ever seen a 50inch pizza.....yikes
On Tuesday we left quiet little Diano Marina and headed along the Italian Riviera for the north of Italy. It was lovely along the coast road but slow going for a big stretch, 50k's/per hr, lots of trucks avoiding the toll roads like us. A big day of driving fortified by pizza....ever seen a 50inch pizza.....yikes
We were headed for Manderba del Garda on the western shore of Lake Garda but when we got to our hotel it was a dud....so backtracked to Peschiera del Garda on the southern shore and scored a great last minute hotel.....whew! Incredible thunder and lightening storm Tuesday night, the sky lit up every 5 to 10 seconds, the kids at the hotel (school soccer team) loved it!
Peschiera del Garda is a gorgeous little lake town with a very big lake on its doorstep, Lake Garda. It was at one time under Austrian rule and has an island fortress which is spectacular, the fortress played a key role in the Napoleonic wars and until as recently as 2002 there was a military jail on the island. It's pretty as a picture and you can hire boats or bikes or just relax in the waterside cafes.
The Porta Verona is very impressive and again it's a functioning part of the roading system.
Check out this little fella, I think it's a Grebe, there were a lot of them and one had a chick floating along on her back.
There was a really laid back feel to Peschiera and you could easily spend a few days here and do some of the walking and biking tracks, they are all flat too which is a bonus.
Sermione del Garda
About 30 minutes by car up the road Sermone is super to see, it's an island with a picture book castle, Castillo Scaligero, totally pedestrianised and very, very touristy. It has hot mineral springs and there a lot of super deluxe motels/spas on the island that have waterfront private areas.
Lake Garda is vast and in winter with snow on the mountains it must look stunning.
We walked to the far end and found a beautiful dappled shade park with white hydrangeas that had flower heads as big as dinner plates, peaceful away from all the coach tour groups.
We also found a great exhibition on the history of Italian motor racing, all photos gorgeously exhibited and in an uber chic marble building (cool in temp👍) and we were the only ones there. Great photos.
Grebe and fish everywhere in the castle waters
Sculpture of the day comes from Peschiera del Garda lake front.....freedom and liberation!
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