Given that I am a huge fan of all things Italian, it seems surprising that it has taken me so long to visit the Italian lakes. I had heard a lot about the beauty of the area, but just hadn’t found the time to visit it before.
There are so many great things about being in Italy that it’s often hard to know where to start. Having a fondness for food and drink, it is these two elements that often make me want to return to the country.
The use of fresh ingredients in Italian cooking seems to put the UK to shame. The joy of eating fresh tomatoes and wonderful olive oil is like no other.
It’s hard to travel anywhere in Italy without also enjoying the excellent wines on offer. Drinking wine with a meal is a very important part of the culture here.
Having previously visited many of the larger Italian cities, I was wondering how the region around Lake Garda would compare.
I read in my guidebook that the area is largely made up of relatively small towns, cities, and resorts. This would be a trip that would be considerably different from previous visits to the country.
During my stay on the shores of Lake Garda, I chose to move around and visit as many lakeside towns as possible. I was delighted to find thriving markets and restaurants in many of them.
Fresh produce is as readily available here as in most of Italy, with a wonderful variety of fish too.
Before I arrived, I was concerned that Lake Garda might lack the historical sites that I tend to associate with much of Italy.
Fortunately, I discovered that the lake and its towns have a great combination of landscapes, gastronomy and history.
This part of the country has been a popular place to take a break since Roman times.
It’s not hard to see why. A visit to Lake Garda is recommended.