Borghetto sul Mincio is one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy” (Borghi più Belli d’Italia). And it is one of those places that seem unreal. Like a fairy tale. A few houses, only 160 residents. You arrive here crossing the Visconteo bridge and you discover a tiny village basically lying on the Mincio river ,a perfect place for a romantic getaway and for taking pictures of an Italy that is already gone in many other places: Stone houses, some ancient watermills, the view of on the melancholic ruins of the medieval bridge and the Castle appearing among the trees on the hill.
Located in a bay between Punta Belvedere and Punta Portese, on the west shore of Lake Garda, Manerba del Garda is set in the heart of the Valtenesi, a green area between Salò and Padenghe, very famous for its wine production. The few rests of the Fortress of Manerba, one of the most important medieval fortresses of the whole Lake Garda territory, destroyed by the Venetians in 1575, rise on a high stony block. From here, you can enjoy a breath-taking view on the lake, on the surrounding hills, on the Monte Baldo until your gaze reaches Torbole - Nago. Worth a visit are the Archaeological Museum and the churches rich with frescos, which witness the antique religions and cultural traditions passed in this area along the centuries. One of the favorite destinations is the idyllic Island of San Biagio, also known as the Island of the Rabbits. The natural park under the "Rocca", which hosts more than 400 types of plants, is of impressive beauty too.
The Ponale Trail is the best known and most popular in Garda Trentino: easy but at the same time spectacular as its winds sheer above the lake, a classic trek you can't afford to miss. The line of the Old Ponale Road stands out against the mountainside and is clearly visible from the beaches in Riva and Torbole. The Ponale trail is an icon of Garda Trentino, much loved by visitors and locals alike who never tire of the spectacular views it offers at every bend. The Ponale Road is famous not only for the unequaled panorama of the lake but also for the military installations you can see along the trail. When you come to the second and third tunnels you can see remains of the Tagliata del Ponale, imposing fortifications built by the Austro-Hungarians from 1860 onwards which consist of tunnels excavated into the rock and trenches which stretch from lake level to the outposts overlooking the current trail. Today the Tagliata complex is normally closed to the public for reasons of safety.
The Sanctuary of Montecastello is located just below the peak of Monte Castello, on a spur of rock sheer above the lake, with magnificent panoramic views. With its wonderful air of spirituality and peace, its history, artistic & architectural beauty, and marvelous location, it is one of the most famous and well-loved sacred places of Lake Garda. For centuries it has been a place of pilgrimage and devotion, particularly to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is portrayed in an antique and miraculous fresco behind the main altar.
The Vittoriale degli Italiani is a hillside estate in the town of Gardone Riviera overlooking the Garda lake in the province of Brescia, Lombardy. It is where the Italian writer Gabriele D'Annunzio lived after his defenestration in 1922 until his death in 1938. The estate consists of the residence of d'Annunzio called the Prioria (priory), an amphitheater, the protected cruiser Puglia set into a hillside, a boathouse containing the MAS vessel used by D'Annunzio in 1918 and a circular mausoleum. Its grounds are now part of the Grandi Giardini Italiani. References to the Vittoriale range from a “monumental citadel” to a “fascist luna park”, the site inevitably inheriting the controversy surrounding its creator.
Admire the blue shades of both lake and sky melting into an amazing landscape offering a view in all its variety: From snow-covered Alpine peaks to the rough profile of the closer mountains and the soft scenery of the lowlands. Here the cable car “flies” up to 1,800 meters altitude within only a few minutes. The rotating cabins, unique in the world, let you experience new emotions every time you go.
The famous castle of Sirmione, which dates back to the Scaliger Lords of Verona, and its small port (still perfectly preserved) are an uncommon example of a fortress used as a port. The dungeon tower was erected in the thirteenth century by Mastino I Della Scala. The massive fortress is surrounded by water and has an inner porch which houses a Roman and Medieval lapidary. From the drawbridge, a staircase leads to the walkways above the walls, providing a marvelous view of the harbor that once sheltered the Scaliger fleet. The doors were fitted with a variety of locking systems, including a drawbridge for horses, carriages and pedestrians, a metal grate and, more recently, double hinged doors. Thanks to its strategical geographical location as a border outpost, Sirmione became a crucial defense and control garrison for the ruling nobles, retaining this function until the sixteenth century, when its role was taken up by Peschiera del Garda. Venice included Sirmione in its Republic in 1405, immediately adopting provisions to render the fortress even more secure, fortifying its outer walls and widening the harbor.