Italian holidays: finishing the trip to the Lake Garda

Together with the editor in chief of HelloMonaco we’ve already travelled through different parts of this region of Italy. You can read about it in our previous articles. And today we will tell you where to finish this Italian trip.

Verona

It is the immortal «Romeo and Juliet» by Shakespeare that brought an all-time glory to this town. Thousands of tourists come here from all over the world to breathe in this atmosphere of romance, passion and love.

While Venice is a city of loving couples often celebrating their small and big anniversaries, Verona has another purpose.  People come here to ask for a great love and happy family. They address the statue of the young Juliet, in the courtyard of Casa di Giulietta. Although no proof exists that Shakespeare’s heroine actually lived in this place, the pleas are known to be fulfilled. Verona is also famous for other sites that have no connection with the love story.

Do take a stroll along Piazza dei Signori and admire the elegant palaces on Cavour Avenue. Go inside the church of San Giorgio, with its paintings by Tintoretto and San Lorenzo. Verona also has a 10th century romanesque church, San Zeno Maggiore, believed to be a pearl of the Northern Italian architecture. After a delicious lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the ancient streets of Verona.

Lazise

The history of Lazise dates to many centuries back. Its first settlements were built in the prehistoric times. One of the city’s main attractions is Villa Bernini, a luxurious 19th century building, and a former fortress, the castle of Scaligers. Lazise’s many temples also managed to preserve their original appearance over these past centuries. San Martino, San Zeno and a 12th century San Nicolo church are among them.

But Italian towns are famous not only for their ancient streets and buildings, but also for culinary delights. The best restaurants in Lazise are Dogana Veneta, Alla Grotta and la Collina.

In addition, you can also enjoy a small shopping in the local shops.

Sirmione

At the end of your trip, do visit the resort of Sirmione on the southern shore of Lake Garda. Its nature is stunning. Turquoise water, olive groves and majestic Alps rising on the other side of the lake.

Thermal springs with their healing properties and amazing historical sights are also there for your enjoyment. The castle of Scaligers, at the entrance to Sirmione, was originally erected in the 18th century as a fortress. Be sure to visit this place, climb the fortress walls and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Photos, videos and selfies from the castle are sure to secure you a huge number of likes!

And don’t forget the grottoes of Catullus. This is an archaeological park under the open air considered one of the largest surviving evidence of Ancient Rome. These ruins are believed to be the remains of an ancient villa which belonged to the family of the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus. If you have a good imagination, you can easily see a chic villa with its gardens, galleries, swimming pools and outdoor terraces that used to be in its place. The view of Garda from here is fascinating. This place seems to be filled with some kind of magical energy. A light breeze brings you greetings from Ancient Rome and the remnants of the walls reunite the past and the present.

You can also take a boat excursion from Sirmione to the island of Garda, a place of rare beauty, full of history, legends and memories. This picturesque reef once used to be home to ancient Romans and Longobards. St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Bernardino of Siena and, in all probability, Dante Alighieri, all lived here. An elegant palace, built in the early twentieth century, in the neo-Gothic Venetian style, will make a great impression on you with its beautiful Italian terraces and gardens, smoothly running waters and lush vegetation. Oil from the local olive groves would make a nice souvenir.