My husband and I will be traveling to Northern Italy in May 2014 for about 15 days. We will be starting in Venice then traveling by car to the lake region, from there to Cinque Terre then down to Rome. Which of the lakes is best to use as a base to explore the region? We prefer to limit the driving around the lakes and use ferries as much as possible but have driven in Italy on past trips. Our interests are exploring the towns, the scenery, the gardens and not too much hiking.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16364 posts
Since you are in Veneto, I would opt for Lake Garda, the largest in Italy. Less than 2 hours from Venice. From there you can take day trips to Verona, Vicenza, Velpolicella wine region, Lake Iseo and Franciacorta wine region, and even the Dolomites. The major most famous lakes (Garda, Como and Maggiore) are quite apart from each other. You can't really base in one and visit the others. You need separate bases or just choose one and stick with that one only.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3 posts
Thank you for the advice. We have been planning on Lake Garda but read so many positive comments about the other lakes, we could not decide. I guess we will just have to plan to go again.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16364 posts
All 3 are beautiful, but I like Garda a slight bit more than the others, maybe because I can visit the close by Dolomites from there. I love the Dolomites. The best part of the Garda is the Alto Lago (high lake, basically the north side). Basically from Salo or Garda up. The prettiest towns are, imo, in no particular order: Limone, Malcesine, Gargnano, Torri del Benaco, Garda, Riva, Torbole. If I had to choose only 2, Limone and Malcesine would be my choice (both connected by boat). But if you have time visit all towns in the North Lake. In the south the super popular Sirmione is a must. However I have little tolerance for the crowds it attracts. I can only spend so many hours there, before I get overwhelmed, especially in high season.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
My husband and 2 sons visited Lake Garda on a trip in 2007. Haven't been to Lake Como so can't compare. We enjoyed all the little villages on the east side of the lakeTorri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino, Lazise and Sirmione in the south and Riva del Garda on the north end. We spent a week at an agrituriso near Caprino Veronese and had a car and also went to Verona which we really liked. Another day we drove to Mantova which is on the Mincio River and is very nice and untouristy. On recommendation from the gal at the agriturismo we stopped at Valeggio sul Mincio and Borghetto sul Mincio north of Mantova which is supposed to have the best tortellini in Italy. Borghetto is charming.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3 posts
Thank you for all of the suggestions. We have settled on Lake Garda and have begun to seriously research the area and towns you have recommended. Your responses will help us plan where to go but the best part of Italy is not planning too much. Thanks