| Posted by ingrid - info[at]tuscany-italy dot co dot uk Country: Italy Region: Veneto Cost: $200 Website: www.lakegarda.biz Date: 10th December 2009 |
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Location: Bardolino Lake Garda
Bardolino, I think I can really call it my love by now - my dream is to some day own a house on Lake Garda! I'm even slightly hesitant to tell you about my super secret & favorite Italian town. It certainly isn't a secret to people that live within a days drive, but overseas it's definetely a hidden gem. I would hate to see Bardolino loose it's small town charme, but since there's mountains everywhere I don't think anyone will be able to expand it into a monsterous city and so I graciously decided to share.
Bardolino houses 5
Bardolino is a 3.5-4 hour drive from my hometown of Bad Aibling. With gas prices being very high and toll charges it's not really "cheap" to just take the car and go, you'll be out of at least $200.00. To me however it's always worth it.
The drive is very scenic. Within 20 minutes of your drive you cross from Germany into Austria and you'll probably spend 2.5 hours driving through Austria until you reach the Brenner pass. You will see alpine towns, cows & castles (in the same amount of numbers), pass lakes and famous towns like "Innsbruck". If you need a stop inbetween stop at "Wattens" (close to Innsbruck) and see the famous Swarowski gallery. It's very artsy, but all sparkles as you would expect. Driving on the Autobahn you'll see numerous signs for what looks like a "barfing" face - however once you get to the Crystal Worlds you'll undertand that this is a poor copy of the waterfall in front of the Swarowski Center.
Very interesting to watch along the way is the change in architecture while you continue to make your way towards Italy.
Then one last scary crossing of the Europe bridge and you're there. Exit the "Autostrada" interstate in Roverto and follow the signs towards Lake Garda. Once you enter the serpentine decent to the lake you're really getting your moneys worth. The views are amazing and I love to stop in Riva, park on the side of the lake and go for a little walk, then continue your drive on the left side of the lake.
Riva del Garda
Not saying the right side isn't pretty, but it takes much longer getting around the lake on the right side (and I'm talking hours) and your destination Bardolino is located on the left side.
You'll pass through small towns with beautiful names like Malcesine, Sirmione and Lazise and just a stones throw from the lake. It's just amazing I don't know how to describe it to you, it's paradise. Palm trees, lovely painted mediterranean houses, flowers, the lake, the mountains, surfers on the water, castles on the rock... I hope you find this travelogue helpful and I would love to hear your comments
Date: 20th February 2010
Malcesine Port
