Tourist information - Garda
The bay of Garda is a jewel covered with the blue of the lake and also the mediterranean vegetation. Towards the north the bay is closed off by Mount Luppia that dives towards the lake to create the exceptional point of San Vigilio, obliged destination of celebrities during holiday on the lake. To the south is the hill called La Rocca: from the top of this plateau (following a path that goes to the top) you can enjoy a breathtaking beautiful view. Throughout medieval times the Castle of Garda stood on this Rocca, and it was of such importance that the lake changed its former Latin name "Benacus" to its present name, Garda. Today Garda, in the centre of the bay, is definitely a full-amenity holiday resort with sixty hotels, numerous residences and a modern congress building. The narrow streets of the historic centre, once inhabited only by fishermen, are now loaded with shops and restaurants. The fishing tradition is still alive and well, however. Sitting at the bars along the attractive lake promenade (where every Friday morning the market is held), you can actually go through the comings and goings of the fishing boats that bring in the catch throughout the day, the main ingredient for the local gastronomy. One of several art treasures found in Garda there's Villa Albertini (the park can be entered on certain days), and the ancient Pieve. A sunset is unforgettable if seen from Punta San Vigilio.
The German War cemetery could be visited at Costermano. The best manifestations of Garda are linked with the fishing tradition: the "Palio delle Contrade" is a race that is held in the middle of August on characteristic row boats, while the "Sardellata al Pal del Vo" held in July, is a moonlight dinner on fishing boats in the middle of the lake. Lake sports such as swimming, sailing and also windsurfing can be trained as well as mountain biking, golf (there are actually modern facilities facing Garda's bay), horse riding, free climbing, tennis, football or soccer.An enjoyable and easy walk is to take the long path that goes across the lakeshore from the Rocca all the way to Punta San Vigilio. Different interesting itineraries go up the Rocca, up Mount Luppia, or over the green vegetation of Val dei Molini (between Garda and Costermano), which is equipped with a health trail. Ljao/jan/1v21