Traveleye on Desenzano Del Garda (Italy)

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Overview:

The most important commercial centre and the largest town (population 22,500) on the lake. The interesting remains of a 3rd-century Roman villa with vivid mosaics bear witness to the town's antiquity. The benefits of prosperous Venetian rule from the 15th to the 18th century can be seen clearly today. Although the shops and cafes are situated in two extensive arcaded 19th-century piazzas, the true centre is the picturesque Venetian-style old port, full of fishing craft. Inland, narrow residential streets have been closed to traffic and it suffers less intrusion by day-trippers than most lake resorts. An attractive tree-lined promenade by the lake stretches from one end of town to the other. Except on the weekly market day this is popular with strollers and the lake's ubiquitous swans and ducks. Here and there fountains and statues of local heroes can be found and the general atmosphere, helped by the wide range of activities available, makes Desenzano seem more like a prosperous market town than a holiday resort.

Locality:

Desenzano is tucked into the SW corner of Lake Garda, 76 mls E of Milan, 97 mls W of Venice airport, 26 mls W of Verona. It is positioned opposite Sirmione promontory and mountains rising steeply from the E shore. It is encircled by fertile fields, orchards, vineyards and olive groves supporting ancient rural communities.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Accommodation offers a good choice of medium-priced hotels with character. Accent on relaxation and friendliness. Lack of ultramodern options.

The beaches here are narrow and limited.

Shopping consists of fairly typical, traditional Italian clothing, jewellery and household ware. The usual handicrafts, paintings and foodstuffs. Numerous old-fashioned shops with quality merchandise. Ceramics. Ironwork. Antique market (first Sunday of the month). Weekly market.

Activities here include golf (27 holes; 6 miles away) at Saiano. Tennis. Horse riding. Sailing club. Scuba diving. Bicycle hire. Archaeological museum. Windsurfing. Roman villa. Last supper painting by Tiepolo in the church of St Mary Magdalin. Medieval tower near the railway station. By night there are half-a-dozen nightspots.

There are a good range of pizzerias and restaurants specialising in fresh fish from the lake.

Getting around is fairly easy with regular buses and ferries, for which it is the terminus. Trains to Milan, Verona and Venice. Plenty of taxis available.

Local excursions consist of trips to the Memorial Chapel at San Martino della Battaglia, with its 200-foot tower. Castle at Soiano de Lago. Tour of the lake by coach with short boat trip included. Ferries (some serving meals) plying to other resorts. Verona. Mantua. Venice. Milan.