The popular holiday destination of Lake Garda is situated in the north of Italy and is the largest lake in the country. The lake was formed by glaciers during the last ice ages, creating a deep valley with towering mountains in the north which transform into rolling hills as you travel south down the length of the lake. Renting a Lake Garda villa is a fantastic way to spend a holiday in this picturesque part of Italy. Charming towns are dotted along the shores of the lake with plenty of historical sites to visit. For those staying in Lake Garda villas who want to explore different places, the simplest way to get around is to use the water bus which connects all of the major towns on the lake. The water bus runs frequently during the peak season and is an easy and inexpensive mode of transport, as well as providing fantastic views of the lake shores.
Holiday villas on Lake Garda are most popular during the gloriously hot summers. The sun shines most days with the occasional dramatic thunderstorm which can be magnificent to watch as you listen to the thunder echoing off the steep mountainsides. A frequent cool breeze blowing down the length of the valley helps make the hottest days more bearable and is also enjoyed by the numerous windsurfers. During the summer, the lake is warm enough to bathe in and the cool, crystal clear waters provide a perfect respite from the heat of the day. Many Lake Garda villas have pools which are most popular during the summer, especially with families.
While temperatures are much colder, clear days are common during the winter and snowfall on the higher elevations makes skiing possible. People often rent a villa in Lake Garda during the wintertime in order to enjoy the ski slopes on Monte Baldo, the highest peak on the lake, which towers 1750 metres above the town of Malcesine. The ski slopes are easily reached by cable car which provides fantastic views over the lake and is something to do even if you do not wish to ski. Many also enjoy Lake Garda villa rental during the Spring and Autumn in order to take advantage of the fewer crowds of tourists while they explore the history and culture of each lakeside town.
There are plenty of delightful towns where you can rent a villa on Lake Garda. Malcesine is situated towards the north of the lake and has a maze of narrow cobbled streets that are lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. The small harbour is a lovely place to enjoy a drink or one of the enormous ice creams that are found everywhere around Lake Garda. There are pebbly beaches for sunbathing and swimming and a scenic promenade along the lakeside. The most prominent landmark in Malcesine is the Castello Scaligero, an intriguing 18th century medieval tower that is open to visitors. Families staying in Lake Garda villas will also enjoy the quaint miniature golf course in Malcesine that enjoys the shade of old olive trees.
On the opposite side of the lake to Malcesine, the small town of Limone can be found clinging to the steep valley side. This attractive town is renowned for cultivating lemons amongst other citrus fruits and restaurants and souvenir shops benefit from the numbers of tourists that visit each year. The narrow streets and old buildings make Limone an appealing place for a day trip for those staying in Lake Garda villas and there is also an interesting lemon museum to visit which tells of the history of the town’s lemon production.
In the north of Lake Garda, the picturesque town of Riva del Garda can be found with the stunning view of the Dolomite Mountains as a backdrop. This is the second largest town on the lake and has lakeside cafés, shops, pebbly beaches and a lovely park area. There is a 12th century castle with a moat known as the Rocca which now houses the town’s museum. The Rocca was once connected by an underground passage to the 13th century Torre Apponale, a 34 metre high clock tower that can be climbed by visitors up its 165 steps for rewarding views from the top. In the south of the lake is the town of Sirmione, an historical town set on the peninsular which stretches out into the water. Many holidaymakers staying in Lake Garda villas visit this town to see its fascinating architecture such as the ruins of the Grotto of Catullus, a Roman villa built around 150 AD, and the 13th century Scaliger Castle. There are also thermal baths to visit with mineral rich waters that are used for health treatments and spas.
