- Visit Tuscany: Pienza, Monticchiello and The Gladiator
- Explore Lake Garda: Sirmione, Riva Del Garda, Salo and Tori Del Benaco
- Day Trip from Lake Grada to Dolomites
- Day Trip from Lake Grada to Venice
Italy was where the soul went to find calm and love, and I wanted to hold the best of it in the palm of my hand.Lisa Brennan
After a great stay in Tuscany, we made our way to Lake Garda. This was quite a long drive, but Addy was quite calm, and she enjoyed the drive, though I wouldn’t say the same about myself though. The highways in Italy are mostly 2 lanes with one lane completely occupied by truckers, which leaves you just one lane to manoeuvre, though the traffic is quite less as compared to the UK. We drove on the circumference of Bologna and Verona before winding our way towards Lake Garda. The toll booths on these highways proved quite tricky with us having to fight off a potential penalty – well memories!! Join us for a perfect Italian roadtrip navigating Lake Garda, visit Sirmione, Riva Del Garda, Salo and Tori Del Benaco
Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful regions in Northern Italy – surrounded by towering peaks on all sides, it’s a view to behold. After a quick nap we made our way out and drove to Sirmione, located on the south shore of Lake Garda. Sirmione is one of the busiest places around the lake and this old town sits on a piece of land which protrudes out into the lake. We drove around and parked on the shore to take in the first full view of Lake Garda – stunning!
Sirmione Parking – https://goo.gl/maps/WEKNMr7KgLtVBKkt6
Addy had a great time running around the shores and we relaxed taking in the blue skies, mountains, and crystal-clear water. As the sun set, we made our way back to our apartment, while stopping to pick essentials for the next part of our stay in Italy. Lake Garda was our pit stop for the rest of our road trip in Italy and we did road trips to Venice and the mighty Dolomites over the next few days.
Now that all the longer trips were behind us, it was time to enjoy Lake Garda to the fullest. As part of the first day, we wanted to take the Ferry across Lake Garda to the opposite shore and drive on the circumference of the southern shore. As it’s the off season, most of the ferries were closed, but we had planned beforehand for a ferry from Torri Del Benaco to Maderno which was open and just 5 mins drive from the apartment. And what better, we were the only car in the entire ferry – Perks of travelling off season 😊.
Ferry Parking – https://goo.gl/maps/VgtGtuXpXM7cdUu49
The journey took around 25-30 mins and Addy had a blast running around an empty ferry and it was her first time on a ferry/boat and a body of water. On reaching Maderno we drove to Salo which was our next destination along the shores of the lake. There are these little towns sprayed all along the banks of Lake Garda which are quite picturesque and are great for strolling around while munching on local delicacies and watching the locals go about their daily lives. It was Addy’s 2nd birthday and where better to celebrate than the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes we ever visited. We got some pastries from a local bakery and celebrated her birthday on the banks of the lake with locals wishing Addy on her 2nd birthday – More to go sweetheart.
Salo parking – https://g.page/parcheggio-civicoalcentro-apcoa?share
The next plan of the trip was to head towards Desenzano, however Addy was quite tired running around Salo and her impromptu bday celebrations, so she dozed off. And as I said before we adapt – We are no longer the checklist travellers who want to see everything but instead we want to experience places and a great experience comes hand in a hand with a happy kid 
. So off we drove ensuring Addy had a full nap and by the time she was up we reached Sirmione. En route we stopped for Lunch on the banks of the lake at what looked like a very normal lake side shack but turned out to be a quite a posh restaurant –the food was well worth the money spend!
We made our way back to the apartment and in the evening, we head back to Tori Del Benaco, which was already one of our favourite Go-to-spots by now. Took a stroll around the town, which was rather quite deserted and somehow, I have started liking the vibes of traveling off season. Lake garda is quite busy over the summer and I’m not sure if I would like the place when its buzzing with all the pubs and crowds -especially with my little one. Seems like I’m aging for good
.
Addy’s newfound love, as I mentioned before, was ‘doors’, so she was keen to get home and play with doors. So, we ensured we gave her ample time to play around in the apartment. The apartment itself offered stunning views of the lake and was very much apt for having a day in.
The next day we woke up early (thanks to the early riser
) and the plan was to head towards the north of the lake to Riva Del Garda. A 30 mins drive with more pitstops to enjoy different views of the lake and we were at Riva Del Garda. This is a unique and one of the most beautiful town from the ones we have visited around Lake Garda. The town is at the northern tip of the lake and is surrounded by towering peaks, we strolled around and went looking for local delicacies to take back home for friends.
Riva Parking – https://goo.gl/maps/Ea9VMD4NtEbrR9kT8
We drove back home and in the evening as the sun set, we made our way out, for one last time, to take in the stunning scenery around Lake Garda. We parked in Garda, the town itself, and took a stroll on the banks lined with many pubs/restaurants – which were quite busy as it was the weekend.
Finally, we bid adieu to Lake Garda, one of the most stunning places we have visited and would cherish for a long time. Tuscany, Venice, Dolomites and then Lake Grada – What an amazing road trip it has been..Grazie Italy
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.