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a day around Lago di Garda

Posted by (Carmel, CA, USA) on

Hi everyone, and a happy holiday season to you all!

In mid-to-late May 2014, near the end of a month-long visit to various parts of Italy, I expect to be based for a few days in Verona, and would like to spend a full day visiting various spots around Lago di Garda.

I understand that many of the best "sites" are at the southern part of the lake, but that the most scenic lake areas are actually on the northern end. Can anyone suggest a day-long itinerary that would include both, beginning and ending in Verona? I would be choosing either a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to make this excursion, not sure if it would matter which one, but I will NOT be in that area on a weekend.

I would prefer to do this by some mix of public transportation -- train, bus and/or ferry, plus lots of walking. If need be, I could rent a car for the day, but since I will be traveling alone, that would probably be considerably more costly than sticking to public transport, and I'm not sure spending the day driving around on my own would be the most enjoyable, or not. I would also be open to a good group day-tour if someone can recommend one. What would probably NOT be financially viable would be a private guided tour for just myself, or hiring a car and driver just for myself (same thing, sort of).

Any ideas on how to best spend a day enjoying and appreciating Lago di Garda would be highly valued. Grazie mille!

Posted by
16238 posts

Hello Larry from Carmel.
I don't know how many days you will be in or around Verona. But Verona can be easily visited in a day or two, so if you have more, you might consider spend a couple of days (one or two nights) relaxing on the lake as well. I recommend Limone, if you like small fishing villages.
If you want to stick to a day trip from Verona, I would take a bus or train from Verona to Desenzano. Desenzano is the largest town on the lake (south shore).
You can find the train schedule on trenitalia.com (you are an expert here, so you know how to navigate the site).
If you want you can also take a bus to Desenzano, instead of the train. The schedule of the bus is below:
http://www.trasportibrescia.it/upload/orari/estivi/LN026.pdf

Once you reach Desenzano (the main town) you have several options:
1. take a bus up the Western shore (the most amazing). The movie 007 "Quantum of solace" was partly filmed there.
The bus schedule from Desenzano all the way to Riva on the northernmost tip is below:
http://www.trasportibrescia.it/upload/orari/estivi/LN027.pdf
Once again make a stop in Limone. From Limone there are also frequent boat excursion and ferry service to Malcesine, just across the lake.

From Desenzano, you can also take a short bus ride to nearby Sirmione (timetable below)
http://www.trasportibrescia.it/upload/orari/estivi/LN026.pdf

  1. Another option is to take a boat from Desenzano to wherever you wish. Search for boat timetables here when it's time (only winter schedule is available now): http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html

If you prefer to try the Eastern shore, then consult the bus schedule below. Select a destination from Verona (e.g. Malcesine or Riva). I think the bus you want is the 162.

http://www.atv.verona.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/77?52b0e3ec9063c

In this case, I would take a bus to Malcesine. Visit Malcesine a bit, maybe take the gondola up to Monte Baldo, but also find the time for a boat ride across to Limone and back.

Lots of options.

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