"A Mediterranean microclimate" a Lago di Garda Travel Page by JLBG

The lago di Garda (lake of Garde is the largest lake in Italia. It has a warm climate as it is protected from northerly winds. This microclimate allows palm trees, lemon trees, cypress, oleander to grow splendidly. It is framed by hills, smoother on the eastern bank, steeper on the western bank. A dozen of small towns are scattered along the road that circles it : on the South bank Desenzano, Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda. On the eastern bank Garda, Torri del Benaco and a lot of smaller cities. Riva del Garda on the North. On the Eastern bank, Limone sul Garda, Gardone and Salò.

Peschiera del Garda, Arilica for the ancient Romans, is built on several islets in the mouth of river Mincio and as it has always been a strategic place, successive rulers in charge of the city have developed strong defenses : one after the other, the Bizantines, the Lombards, the Scaligeri family, Carlo Magno, Berengario. In the following centuries the Visconti and Venice, followed by the French with Napoléon and the Austrians. It was not until the Unity of Italy that these defenses became useless.

The whole area around the lago di Garda is very touristy and it is better to visit out of the high season. In early May, it was perfect with enough visitors but not too much, driving and parking were easy, except in Garda because of an extensive market (Friday May 6th). The eastern bank of the Lago di Garda belongs to the Veneto province (Venice province), the western bank to the Lombardy province and the north part to the Trentino-Alto Adige province.