Italy, Lago di Garda – For Relax and Sport

Lago di Garda is the largest and most sought after Italian lake, which can impress you with beautifully clear water and interesting surroundings. Its distance from the Czech Republic is not great. It is situated in the north of the country between the Alps and the Po Valley in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Lombardy. One of the reasons it is so popular is its location.

If you like to travel by car, then Lake Garda is the right choice for you. Do you hate to spend several hours in your car? Then take a flight ticket to Bergamo, for example, by direct bus line to the lake from the airport.

If you prefer quiet places, like lying on the beach and enjoying the sun, I recommend the beach at Arco Lido. The beach is rocky (as well as around the lake) with extensive forest. The place is not crowded with tourists, so it is really suitable for rest, sunbathing and swimming. Another interesting place is definitely Riva del Garda, but if you look at the map, you will find amazing places more than enough.

Or do you prefer a more active holiday? In the area, you can take advantage of the popular windsurfing. They say you can't find a better place for this sport. The lake is surrounded by mountains and the ideal wind blowing makes windsurfing weather ideal almost every time. Rarely does it happen that it does not blow enough and the sport cannot be practiced. The basic winds that bath on Lake Garda are Vento, Ora and Ponale. Along the coast are beaches with tables, sail dryers, bars and parking. The background is almost ideal. Parking lots are small and paid.

The local environment is also suitable for mountain bikes. You will find places exceeding 2,000 meters (Monte Baldo 2 218 meters) and a little further 3 000 meters (for example, Cima Tosa in the Brenta Mountains - 3 173 meters). Around the lake you can go mountain biking or mountain hikes of all difficulty levels. If you prefer a road bike, you can comfortably ride the road along the lake. It is only necessary to pay more attention, there are no cycling paths and there considerable traffic.

When I mentioned the mountains, I must not forget climbing. Arco, which is located north of Lake Garda, is ideal for mountain lovers. It is one of the most interesting climbing centers in Europe. Climbing routes for beginners and racing climbers are scattered near the lake. These are limestone rocks, which are secured by modern protection.

GPS: 45°40'12.5"N 10°41'27.4"E

Text and photos: Jitka Kratochvílová