Lake Garda

catoutthebag

I've heard this place Is mainly for older/honeymoon clientele?
Will it be ok for late20/early 30 yr olds? We don't party etc, but nice to have young/mixed age vibes. What activities/excursions are there apart from boating around the lake?
T I a

4consumerrights

Which resort on the lake are you going to?

Lake Garda's beautiful (the north part is the best) - you can nip around by boat to the different resorts on the lake.

Cyle hire
Boat Hire
Walking
Swimming in the lake (in summer)
Sailing
Beautiful places to visit. Mountain cable car ride.

Many trips include a package to Verona and Venice - do try and go if you can afford to. The Venice trip guide negotiated a special price for a gondala ride - at fraction of normal cost.

zagfles

I did paragliding there! Loads of watersports (windsurfing, kite surfing etc). Didn't notice it being mainly older people - loads of families and loads of younger people doing the watersports etc. Hiring a car would be an idea then you can see the surrounding lakes (there's a "4-lakes drive" which is stunning), go to Verona etc.

catoutthebag

Thank you. My mind has been somewhat appeased.

We would stay maybe 2n in Verona & 7-9n lake Garda & leave Venice another time

So which are the best resorts? Hope to pick up a brochure today

Would like warm weather, 30min. Thinking jun to aug?

Is it strange going on a summer sun holiday & no beach? Do people still sun workship on lake edge?

Is all inc better at Garda?

Thanks

opinions4u

Loads of hotels and campsites to choose from. If you choose a hotel in a town or village I'd suggest room only or B&B and investigate local food.

Loads of small towns and villages with a mix of local / tourist type shops.

Loads of beaches for sunbathing, albeit a bit stoney and not glorious golden sands.

Lots of traffic. Especially to the north of the lake. August is peak.

We camped (Eurocamp, mobile home with kitchen and bathroom and two bedrooms). It worked out very cheap in June for a family, gave access to cheapish food (restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets), was on a site fully of mixed ages but mainly younger families and if you fancy other trips a hired car could, with time take you into the Alps (Austria and back is doable in a full day), or over to Verona, Milan or Venice.

We relaxed. We loved it. We would do it again.

catoutthebag

We would be looking at 4* hotel, & somewhere not too remote, with shops/restaurant nearby, but also quiet enough to relax by pool for couple days, possible inc or non inc depending on food prices.

pelirocco

catoutthebag wrote: »

Thank you. My mind has been somewhat appeased.

We would stay maybe 2n in Verona & 7-9n lake Garda & leave Venice another time

So which are the best resorts? Hope to pick up a brochure today

Would like warm weather, 30min. Thinking jun to aug?

Is it strange going on a summer sun holiday & no beach? Do people still sun workship on lake edge?

Is all inc better at Garda?

Thanks

The lake is huge , you could be forgiven thinking you were looking out at sea in places .

Dont go all inclusive you will miss out on so much .

You need to go into the villages /towns to appreciate them ( and the lake ), from the road that goes round it can look very uninspiring . Pick somewhere where you can easily walk to restaurants / bars .


Save Venice for another trip ,you need a few days to give it justice

lisyloo

We love malcessine.
Don't understand the comments about it being for old fogeys.

We hired a power boat and it was fantastic.
There's a cable car up to monte baldo. Nice to just go up for the views but you can parascend if you like.
Lots of nice shopping to do - leather goods, shoes. Lots of lovely squares in malcessine with shops and restaurants so lovely to chill.

All sorts of water sports you can do on the lake as well as visiting the other towns.
The power boat wasn't cheap but it was fantastic fun.

You can swim in the lake but it's cold and you are better off having some plastic shoes because it's stones not sand, but plenty of places to buy those for a few quid.

Of course you can travel to Venice, Verona etc. so there is absolutely loads to do.

lea2012

Try Riva de Garda, Bardolino or Malcesine all of which are located on the Northern Shores. These are the biggest resorts and have plenty of activities and varied nightlife to keep you busy.
Riva del Garda is popular with windsurfers and has quite a young crowd in summer months. In the south of the lake, near Garda there is Gardaland theme park and a movie themed park too which is well worth a visit.
I think you will really enjoy it.

catoutthebag

Thank you all!

After last 3 summer vacation to Palma, santorini & Dubrovnik, next hol had lots to live up to. Think Garda will & more.


We were looking at albania or a Greek holiday, but think Italy is a front runner!

No doubt ill have a few more questions to ask, but certainly a good start.

catoutthebag

Doing a bit more planning.

Currently thinking 9 nights, 2 in Verona initially & 7 in Garda, booking both hotels separately & flight separately due to plans to visit Verona first then relax in Garda.

Verona hotels seem to jump from being cheap to £195 total & then £300+ hotels we've seen: holiday inn, montresor, hotel leopardi: any experience of any?

Then Garda hotels we've seen that look ok...
Le terrazze sul lago residence
Hotel Alexander
Palace hotel
Parv hotel flora
Grand hotel liberty
Hotel savoy palace

The above are 4* & average 800 for 7nights
Any experience of them? Wonder if they're north based?