"Where the Mountains Tumble into the Lake" Riva by SabrinaSummerville

Four years ago I visaited Riva for the first time, and this is what I wrote :-

"I have travelled far and wide, but in my opinion Riva is the most beautiful place that I have visited to date.

I was here for just a day, stopping off for lunch on a boat tour of lake Garda. I was with two older women that I didn't really get on with and they wanted to see some historical things, so I decided to take off on my own.

I wandered uphill into the small town and window shopped as the shops were closed for siesta. Wvery building here is beautiful, and the streets are peaceful and quiet.

I strolled back down to the harbour and sat in a lakeside cafe sipping white wine and marvelling at the view. It was June, a very hot day, and the sun sparkled on the lake creating millions of diamonds on the surface. I breathed in the air, which was fresh and invigorating in spite of the heat. I looked up at the Dolomite mountains towering majestically above me and was amazed to see snow still on top. The mountains appear to tumble into the lake. It is a quite spectacular view."

This week in September 2006 I managed to make a return visit, again just for a day, and little has changed in my memory except, perhaps, that it is hard to decide between the towns on Lake Garda as to which one is the most beautiful. The only solution, I think, is to return next year and check out a few more of these wonderful venus and make up my mind for once and for all. Or.......go back again and again:-)

Scene from the mountains driving towards Riva

Riva is at the very North of Lake Garda and the best way to get there is to arrive by coach and to leave by boat, as we did. The reason for using both modes of transport is to see the best that this place has to offer. On the drive into Riva, if you are lucky, your coach driver may be persuaded to take a short detour into the mountains and let you see the wonderful views such as the one pictured here, taken just above Torbole.

When you get off the coach take a walk around - you can do this in twenty of thirty minutes just to orientate yourself. Then if you feel fit you can take a walk up into the mountains and visit one of the monuments there such as the little mountain church or the water tower - I did neither!

As you leave, if you do so by boat, you will see the town and the mountains fade into the distance over the surf of your departing craft. Then delight in the windsurfers and the sailors who thrill in the waters of this incredibly picturesqu area.

Beautiful floral view close to the Castle

Again, regrettably, I had just a short time here.

On my first visit I sat at one of the lakefront cafes and enjoyed lunch, then shopped for some beautiful souvenirs (which I still have) and simply wandered.

This time I decided to take the guide's advice and followed her to a restaurant for lunch. I was most disappointed as it was off the beaten path and so away from the fantastic view that I really came to see.

After lunch I did what I usually do here - wandered where my senses took me and drank in the beauty of the town. Take a walk around the castle grounds - there's a restaurant there now although from what I could see they had not even a single patron!

If you want to shop, remember that most of the stores close between 1pm and 4pm - that rules out shopping for most day-visitors who get here normally around lunch time.

Admire the flowers and take tons of photographs, as I did.

• Pros:The mountains and the spectacular beauty that is practically unequalled.