One of the most exciting and scenic places in Italy, Gardone on the west coast of Lake Garda enjoys a mild climate most of the year and is packed with Italian culture and history. Catering mainly to the older clientele, Gardone may be small but it’s full of life; plus, with Lake Garda within easy reach, it’s in the perfect place for exploring everything the area has to offer.
Here is a small itinerary for visiting Gardone in Italy for your next travel adventure.
Lake Garda Sirmione Bougainvillea – Photo by David.NikonvsCanon
Itinerary for Visiting Gardone in Italy
Il Vittoriale degli Italiani
Belonging to the eccentric poet, politician and World War I veteran Gabeiele D’Annunzio, the large gardens and villa is not to be missed while visiting Gardone.
D’Annunzio was so fond of this place, that he had a so-called ‘death room’ in his villa which he earmarked to pass away in. His body is currently interred in the garden Mausoleum.
Within the grounds is an impressive open-air amphitheatre, which often hosts some fantastic classical music performances in the summer months.
There are plenty of hotels to stay at in Gardone while you enjoy the culture; you can find some great ones here.
Isola Del Garda
Upon Lake Garda, the largest of the Lake’s islands is the Isola del Garda. While the family who still live on this picturesque little snippet of paradise privately own it, the island is open several mornings a week for a guided tour and a stroll round some lush gardens.
Don’t miss the beautiful 18th century paintings by Carlo Carloni within the striking Venetian neo-Gothic villa, and the sloping Italian gardens packed with all sorts of exotic plants.
Staying at a hotel beside Lake Garda will give you access to the Lake’s islands. Only a few minutes’ walk from the lakeside, a stay at Hotel Galeazzi, for example, gives you easy access to explore other shores of Lake Garda.
Andre Heller Botanical Gardens
With a unique microclimate not dissimilar to that of the Mediterranean, these gorgeous botanical gardens play host to some very rare plants and flowers. In fact, there’s over 2000 varieties of all things botanical in a beautiful, finely-maintained garden.
You can learn more about the garden here.
Have you been to Gardone before? Do you have a recommended itinerary for visiting Gardone in Italy?