Lake Garda

We loved Malcescine on the "upper East side" of the lake. Gorgeous views and a big mountain with cablecar to the top right from the town. I think in summer it gets crowded with windsurfers, but in April it was lovely.

We became friends with a B&B owner in Verona and she recommends the east side of the lake over the west. She said it's "piu' allegre" which sort of translates into "more cheerful." She mentioned Malcesine in particular as a good choice.

Ciao Ron, In September 2010 we drove the east side of Lago di Garda from Torbole to Sirmione. Although crowded, Sirmione was magical, with the enchanting castle and the Roman ruins that jut out at the tip of the peninsula. We will be returning in Sept 2012 to explore the Ponale and stay a few days in Riva del Garda and Sirmione. Rugged Lago di Garda is underrated - I guess thats a good thing. Cordiali Saluti,
David

And FWIW, Malcesine is pronounced mahl-tsheh-ZEE-neh. It stumps a lot of English speakers. Happy travels.

We stayed in La Reve B&B in Sirmione for four days last September. It was lovely: right on the main square. We took the ferry up the lake and saw all the towns on the way. Stopped in Malcesine for lunch and the vastly overrated cable car up the mountain (hugely crowded, nothing to hold on to, mist over the lake despite a beautiful day). Wished we had just wandered around charming Malcesine. Sirmione was a delight with good restaurants (get off the main square), a marvelous Roman ruin, and interesting castle.