Sirmione & Lake Garda, Italy

Besides boating on the largest, cleanest lake in Italy's Lake District, the town of Sirmione boasts other activites as well. Take a walk around (and inside) the "Rocca Scaligari," an ancient fortress; or walk around "Grotte de Cattula," the enormous ruins at the tip of the peninsula, bordered by natural, hot sulpher springs. The erotic poet, Cattulus, is supposed to have lived here, and the museum on the ruins' grounds is more impressive than some museums in Rome!

Quick Tips:

Although there are numerous more expensive and fancy hotels right outside the "centro storico," a mile or so away are less expensive, more quaint places! You can walk anywhere you want, and the sidewalks (with plenty of small "parks" along the way) follow the lake from the "new" town to the "centro storico."

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis are the best way to get around, if you don't like to stroll alongside a beautiful swan-fileld, mountain lake carved in the Quaternary period by the Garda Glacier!

Alternatively, if you rent a car, but parking becomes an issue if you head to the "centro storico."

Walking (see above) is always nice in smaller towns!

Nice showers, comfy beds. We were able to get a room with a terrace (on the 3rd floor) that overlooked the stunning "Lago di Garda." Continental breakfast was included, and service was nice. The owner speaks English, Italian, and Spanish, and communication was no problem. We booked our room online!

Exceptional lakeside restaraunt! Large, generous portions for the main course. Tiramisu is out of this world! I am a "big eater" but could not finish the main course of scrumptious "Gnoccitti," a local, Italian main course of rich potato dumplings in a fine cheese sauce! My wife ordered the pasta and clams, and was rewarded with more than 20 local clams!

All in all, a romantic, scrumptious place to eat!

Some of the most impressive ruins I have seen in Italy--including Rome! The site is situated at the tip of a penninsula, with natural, hot sulpher springs on the east side. All around the ruins are olive trees, lemon trees, and small wildlife.

The ruins themselves are quite impressive. The "somewhat open-air" museum does an extraordinary job explaining artifacts and daily life in this old "Roman Villa." There is even a small exhibit on the Geology of the Lake, and the sulpher springs next door!

There is a self-guided tour that is included in the small entry price (5-10 euros per person). If you like ruins, and are into History, be certain to stop by if you are near. These are among some of the most impressive ruins (and museum) in Italy!