Today I wanted the show you the first place I ever went to in Italy. I went for a trip to Lago di Garda in the first week of June and drove to Desenzano del Garda. I’ve ben visiting this beautiful area since I was a child and therefore it’s high time that I share with you my list filled with tips. For the ones who follow me on Instagram could follow me on my journey and already know what places I visited more. I visited Peschiera, Moniga del Garda, Sirmione, Lazise, Bardolino and last but not least one of the prettiest places in Italy called Borghetto sul Mincio. I’ll be writing about those trips later in my next blog posts. Any questions or looking for a travel route? Put it in the comments :).
Desenzano del Garda is a popular place on the South side of Lago di Garda. Desenzano has plenty of choice in all sorts of accommodation for a great holiday: from a pension, to a luxury hotel and from an appartement to a camping. People see Desenzano as the capital of Lago di Garda. The center of Desenzano is located near the old port where you’ll find many cozy cafes and restaurants. Also some lovely terraces next to the beautiful clear water. As you can see on the pictures down below!
Things to do in Desenzano del Garda
The shops of Desenzano in the center are very beautiful and nice. You can find many original pearls when it comes to clothing. It is good to know that most shops are closed between 12:30-15:30 due to the Siesta and on Mondays to. However, during the high season they are open untill late in the evening (22:00). In the evening you can stroll down to the lake and if you love to go out, Desenzano is the place to be! There are many nightclubs where you can have some drinks with friends and dance the night away!:)
The market is also very popular and people from miles away come to visit this weekly market which takes place there since the 15th century. On this weekly market you’ll find a wide variety of hand-painted ceramics, leather goods, clothing and some yummy treats like cheese and fresh salami!!
TOP 6 THINGS TO DO:
- Go dance the night away in the vibrant nightlife of Desenzano
- Visit the Tuesday market for some beautiful ceramics and a beautiful leather bag ‘because you reaaaaaaally need it’
- Go to the beach for a relax day to finally read that book that has been laying on your nightstand for over a year.
- Walk alll the way up to the hill to visit the castle of Desenzano. Which is really stunner (and can give you some beautiful shots from the view over the lake)
- Smell all the beautiful flowers! Hey, I’m a Dutchie who can blame me?
- Go terras crawling as we call it in Holland. Just eat breakfast close to the lake, eat your lunch near the shops and go have dinner near the clubs:)
For the ones who don’t know where Desenzano is headed you can see it clear on the map. Lago di Garda is a popular place for tourists because of its beautiful landscape with lots of beaches and mountains with a lot of picturesque towns. Lago di Garda is the largest lake of Italy and a great destination for lots of people because you’ve got something for everyone. For the sport lovers you’ve got the azure waters where you could go sailing or other water sports or you can for a nice walk or go biking. There are a lot of beautiful golf courses and some big amusement parks such as Gardaland to go to. It is also nice to know that big cities such as Verona, Milan and even Venice (o gosh I LOVE Venice) are nearby. The airports that are nearby are Verona or Milan (Malpensa was the cheapest for me).
» Travel to Italy from home: enjoy an aperitif in Milan through our blog
I’m a big fan of this gorgeous lake and have been going since I was little with my parents by car. Always before high season so it won’t be too hot or too busy and it was always fantastic. My mom always made sure she would pick another town to stay at and always came up with the nicest ideas to do. Going on a holiday to Lago di Garda is definitely a big tip for you guys! Now I almost forget one big thing: the food. I mean, Italian food is just yummie… Spaghetti, pizza, lasagna do I need to say more?!
Where to stay in Desenzano del Garda?
Ofcourse there are plenty hotels to choose from in this beautiful region. Apart from the tips I gave earlier in this article I would also like to highlight the wide range of luxurious hotels, mid-range and also budget hotels from my list. Another good choice is to rent a vacation home or go to a camping with your kids.
Budget hotels: Do you want a hot tub on a panoramic rooftop terrace but also budget proof then go to Admiral hotel Villa Erme. Rather have an hotel in front of the harbor? Visit Hotel Vittorio or Hotel Europa.
Mid-range hotels: Spa and outdoor pool? Visit Hotel Acquaviva del Garda. Do you rather want rooftop pool, hot tub and sun terrace set on the promenade of Lake Garda? Go to Park Hotel. Looking for the country side combined with comfort? Visit Relais Madergnago Gardapartmens.
Luxury, luxury, luxury: Only 5 km away in Sirmione lays the secluded Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, the place of my dreams and it comes pretty close to how I imagine George Clooneys house will look like.
Thanks again for reading and if you have any questions please ask them in the comments below. I hope you enjoyed reading my post and that the tips will come in handy!
Exploring the Splendors of Lago di Garda
Lago di Garda, Italy’s enchanting freshwater gem, is adorned with numerous picturesque towns and destinations. From the historical allure of Sirmione, the vibrant vibes of Lazise, the serene beauty of Bardolino. there’s a myriad of experiences waiting to be explored. Other notable destinations around the lake include Riva del Garda, Peschiera del Garda, and Salò. Each town, with its unique character and charm, promises a distinctive journey for travelers. Dive into these articles and let the adventures around Lago di Garda unfold. I’ve been coming here on the lake, from when i was a little kid and I’m planning to always come back and discover more hidden gems of Sirmione and the whole lake.
Read more about Italy:
My son is getting married in Lake Garda in July 2017. We are looking for somewhere to host a welcoming party for about 100 people near Desenzano.. Something casual. Would love to find a vineyard where we could have a gathering with food. We are thinking of something that would be held outside.
Would like to get some suggestions.
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So beautiful!! I really love your travel tips and the photo’s are mesmerizing. I’ll add this to my list of travels for next year. Thanks!
Would love to have some Dutch bloggers at my Fancy Friday linkup!
http://www.nancysfashionstyle.com
Great blog post, thanks for sharing your travels xx
https://fromfashionwithlovesite.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/cruelty-free-makeup-brands-that-dont-test/
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Thank you for reading and stopping by!:)
This is so awesome, Lisa! I envy your travels. I traveled through Italy many years ago as well. It was such an exciting time and I loved everything about it, the food, the passion, the romance, the culture… Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventures. 🙂
I remember going there a few years ago, your lovely photos brought back some happy memories!
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Good to hear that it brought back some happy memories!:) Thanks
lovely post
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Thank you for the lovely comment!:)
my pleasure, welcome.