The innumerable beaches suitable for swimming on the Riviera degli Olivi on Lake Garda offer the opportunity to experience a truly relaxing holiday, enjoying the sun and bathing in the crystal-clear azure waters of the largest lake in Italy, so large that is almost resembles the sea. However, the Riviera degli Olivi is also a genuine paradise for sports enthusiasts and for those who wish to spend an active and healthy holiday. It is possible to go for pleasant walks or bicycle trips all around the lake, along the long stretches of lake promenade or following the footpaths crossing the hills surrounding Lake Garda and Monte Baldo. Mountain bike enthusiasts in particular will find ideal climatic conditions and tracks offering every degree of difficulty, allowing them to dedicate themselves to their favourite sport all year round. Local travel agencies offer various day trips to the surrounding area which can be booked directly on the spot. In the many theme parks around the lake it is possible to spend entertaining and carefree days out, while in the discos, pubs and night clubs one can spend a few hours enjoying oneself in the summer evenings.

 
SPORTS

Lake Garda is the ideal place for windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, water-skiing, skin-diving and pleasure boating. There are numerous schools and water-sports clubs in the area, especially in the towns around the northern part of the lake, where it is almost always windy and the lake narrows. Tennis courts and swimming pools may frequently be found at the many sports facilities, entertainment parks and hotels in the area and it is also easy to go for trips on horseback. In Marciaga di Costermano, in a fabulous position, there is the “Cà degli Ulivi” golf club (info 045 6279030) which has an 18 hole + 9 hole executive course.

For those who enjoy sports activities in the mountains, Monte Baldo is one enormous training ground in the open-air, offering innumerable opportunities for breathtaking activities such as hang-gliding, free climbing, canyoning and mountaineering, from amateur to competitive level. It is possible to use the Malcesine–Monte Baldo cable car (info: 045 7400206) and the Prada – Costabella ski lifts (info 045- 7285662) to reach the top of Monte Baldo, in addition to the roads and marked paths. In winter ski and snowboard runs are accessible from Malcesine, San Zeno di Montagna and Ferrara di Monte Baldo.

Maps, guides and more detailed information can easily be found at tourist offices locally.

 
ENTERTAINMENT & WATER PARKS

“Gardaland” entertainment park
Castelnuovo del Garda – Loc. Ronchi
This is the largest and the most famous entertainment park in Italy, with many spectacular attractions for the whole family and a whole series of magnificent shows with international artistes. It lies on the southern bank of Lake Garda between Lazise and Peschiera.
Open seasonally: info 045 6449555 – www.gardaland.it

“Caneva World Resort”
Lazise
Movieland Studios: to dive into the world of cinema; Movieland Aquastudios: with pools, slides and water games; Movieland Festival: for a spectacular dinner with medieval tournament.
Open seasonally: info 045-6969900 – www.canevaworld.it

 
NATURE PARKS

Parco Natura Viva
Pastrengo
This is divided into two parts: the Fauna Park, which can be visited on foot, where there are examples of many animals. In one area there are life-size reproductions of dinosaurs; the Safari Park, which can be visited by car, covering a 6 Km route, contains mostly African animals. Possibility of guided visits.
Open all year: info 045 7170052 – www.parconaturaviva.it

Monte Baldo botanical gardens
Ferrara di Monte Baldo – Loc. Novezzina
These are to be found at an altitude of 1232 metres and are administered by the Community of Baldo in collaboration with the State Forestry Service. There are a wide variety of flower species typical of and exclusive to the Monte Baldo, a marvellous opportunity for those who appreciate the natural environment of Monte Baldo, known as the “Hortus Europae”. Possibility of guided visits.
Open seasonally: info 045-6247288 www.ortobotanicomontebaldo.org

Garda Thermal Park
Lazise – village of Colà
This is situated in the large park which surrounds the Villa dei Cedri. The thermal waters spring forth from the subsoil in large quantities at a temperature of 37° C. The 5,000 sq. m lake is equipped for hydromassage of various kinds and there is illumination in the evening for night-time bathing.
Open all year: info 045 7590988 – www.villadeicedri.com

Sigurtà Gardens
Valeggio sul Mincio
These can be visited by car, bicycle and coach (subject to booking), following a one-way itinerary 7 Km long. In an oasis of natural beauty which is absolutely unique, it is possible to go for pleasant walks in the fifty hectares of gardens, among the hundreds of different species of flowers and trees, some of them hundreds of years old.
Open seasonally: info 045 6371033 – www.sigurta.it

 
EXCURSIONS

Verona
The extraordinary artistic city Verona is a must for visitors on holiday in the area. The tour of the city includes a visit to the most famous monuments from the Roman and medieval era, among which the Arena, the house of Romeo and Juliet, Piazza delle Erbe and the church of San Zeno (offered by local agencies).

Venice
A tour which explores this absolutely unique and extraordinary city lying in the Veneto lagoon, with visit to the historic centre, the narrow Venetian streets and the most important monuments, including a trip by boat along the Canal Grande (offered by local agencies).

Dolomites
Passing through enchanting valleys and mountain passes one can discover and admire the landscape, the colours and the extraordinary beauty of the Dolomitic Alps (offered by local agencies).

Trip around the lake
A coach trip with stop-offs at the most beautiful and characteristic resorts on Lake Garda, including a short boat trip (offered by local agencies).

Trips on the lake
Motorships, hydrofoils, ferries and catamarans ensure daily links between the various tourist resorts on Lake Garda. It is possible to go on genuine mini-cruises by boat with lunch on board. A motor-vehicle/passenger ferry runs between Torri and Maderno and vice versa.
Info 030 9149511 – www.navigazionelaghi.it

Bus & Bike
Excursions by mountain bike on Monte Baldo, with bus service offering bicycle transport up to San Zeno di Montagna (Prada) or Ferrara di Monte Baldo (Novezza).
Info 045 8057911 – www.apt.vr.it

Exploring Monte Baldo- Lake Garda
Group trips (programme available locally) with excursions and guided visits to monuments and to the most characteristic places in the area, with volunteers from the Centro Turistico Giovanile (young people’s tourist centre).
Info 045-8004592

Valpolicella
The nearby area of Valpolicella is a valley with a wealth of vineyards, famous for its Valpolicella, Recioto and Amarone wines and for marble working. The charming Romanesque parish churches of San Giorgio and San Floriano are worth a visit, together with the picturesque waterfall park of Molina and the Ponte di Veia, a majestic natural arch.

 
MOUNTAIN REFUGES ON MONTE BALDO

“Fiori del Baldo” refuge
Monte Cornetto, 1,850 m
Privately owned, it has 16 beds for overnight stays. It may be reached via the Prada-Costabella ski-lifts (if operational) or from the footpaths which depart from Prada or from the Malga Valfredda .
Open all year: info 045 6862477 or 045-6081014

“Barana” refuge
Cima Telegrafo, 2,147 m
Belonging to the CAI in Verona, it has around 50 beds for overnight stays. It may be reached via the Prada-Costabella ski-lifts (if operational) or from the footpaths which depart from Prada, Novezza and Malcesine.
Open seasonally and at week-ends: info 045 7731797

Rifugio “Chierego”
Costabella, m 1.911
Belonging to the CAI (Verona) it is situated on the crest of the southern part of Monte Baldo. It offers around 25 beds for overnight stays. It may be reached via the Prada-Costabella ski-lifts (if operational) or from two footpaths which depart from Prada.
Open seasonally: info 348 8916235 or 045-7732576

“Capanna Baita dei Forti” refuge
Bocca Tratto Spino, 1,750 m
This is the point of arrival of the Malcesine– Monte Baldo cable car and offers refreshment facilities.
Open seasonally: info 045 7400319

“Cedron” refuge
Novezza, 1,302 m
Privately owned, it lies on the Graziani road and offers around 20 beds for overnight stays.
Open all year: info 045 6247162

“Novezzina” refuge
Novezzina, 1,205 m
Privately owned, it lies on the Graziani road close to the Botanical Gardens of Monte Baldo and has around 30 beds for overnight stays.
Open seasonally: info 045-6247065

“Damiano Chiesa” refuge
Monte Altissimo di Nago, 2,060 m
Belonging to SAT (Trento), it offers around 20 beds for overnight stays.
Open seasonally and at week-ends: info 0464 867130