Italy bound, Lago di Garda advice

[sbornia]

This September/October I'm fortunate enough to be heading to Italy for a nice long trip, 24 full days. Tanti giri in bici, non vedo l'ora! The first 12 I'll be at a cycling camp in the Veneto near Bassano. Then ms. sbornia will join me for her first trip to Europe.

We're thinking about checking out Lago di Garda for one night/day, but much of that area is very touristy. Can any of you suggest towns on the lake that are more local in character? Or if you have preferences for the eastern (Malcesine) or western (Limone) side? I've got a few leads, but enjoy exploring all the options.

Thanks!

[SteveP]

i spent a week around lake como a couple of summers ago.
lemme know if you might get there and ill tell you a few spots.

[sbornia]

Thanks guys. I lived on Como for about a year, know it well. Iseo is on my short list, too, if we decide to drive a bit further west. Flux, check out the action movie The International for scenes of the lake. Ominous.

[jscottyk]

Lago di Garda is a beautiful place! A bit more off the track of than the other northern lakes. Be sure and check out Riva del Garda at the northern end. It's a tourist spot but not as crazy as the places on Como.

[Sasha]

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/

[JoB]

This September/October I'm fortunate enough to be heading to Italy for a nice long trip, 24 full days. Tanti giri in bici, non vedo l'ora! The first 12 I'll be at a cycling camp in the Veneto near Bassano. Then ms. sbornia will join me for her first trip to Europe.

We're thinking about checking out Lago di Garda for one night/day, but much of that area is very touristy. Can any of you suggest towns on the lake that are more local in character? Or if you have preferences for the eastern (Malcesine) or western (Limone) side? I've got a few leads, but enjoy exploring all the options.

Thanks!

I'd say that it depends where you are coming from/going to. East side of the lake is good if you're going to Austria, but on your way to/from Milan, W side may be better. It's all pretty.

I've spent time mostly on the Northern tip. Riva is an old spa town and very pretty - touristy, but that will not be a problem in late September/October, I bet. Arco sits a bit back from the lake (the town actually extends all the way to the beach but the town center is quite a ways away) is famous among the outdoor crowd for rock climbing. Torbole is the mt biking center of the Northern end of the lake. There used to be a Grundig MTB WC race in Arco/Torbole way back when.

I think my folks have stayed in Malcesine and liked it. They go a couple times/year down from Austria, so pm if you need more and i'll see what I can dig up.

The German speaking regions to the North of the lake are pretty interesting if you are headed that way - Sterzing, Bozen, Meran.

BTW, I'm sure you know that Campagnolo is in Vicenza - not that far from where you are. They used to do factory tours, not sure if that is still the case.

[frenk]

you may consider a small trip and watch the Worlds as well!

[brent]

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/

Drop the author of this blog a note. He's a friend and can give great insight to the area. He and his wife lived in Verona for 3 yrs

[hybridbellbasket]

In 2001 I spent a lovely afternoon and night in a town called Salo- about halfway up the western side of Lago di Garda. It didn't seem too "touristy", unlike some of the places we drove through around the southern side of the lake (Descenzano-or something similar) which did not look very appealing- campgrounds and waterslides etc.

Salo was full of waterfront cafes and hotels and had something of the air of "old money". I have fond memories of eating excellent gelato watching people cruise around in those gorgeous wooden speedboats.