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Original poster

calling Lake Garda experts!

46 replies

FoamyMilk · 04/07/2019 18:26

I feel like every thread about holidays has people raving about here. DH is keen and the prices were surprisingly reasonable!

We're going to stay in Garda itself, for a week. DC are 7 and 10, generally placid and really looking forward to the pool.

Sooooo

  • we're not fussed about the theme park, could be swayed on the waterpark- would you recommend? All of us are big scaredy cats and don't really do rides.
  • we'd like to take the DC to Venice (and get some culture into them come hell or high water), is it worth it?

And any other tips would be fab.

OP posts:
Verite1 · 04/07/2019 18:56

I’m just bumping this as I would like to hear answers as well!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 04/07/2019 18:57

Venice is most definitely worth it in my opinion, but it is very very busy in the summer. You can tour round the lake, if the children would be up for that.

sneakypinky · 04/07/2019 19:04

You must go to Malcesine and take the cable car up Monte Baldo to see the alpacas. Malcesine is my favourite place on the lakes, so many good restaurants and cafes, the castle is lovely, and you can wander around all day without getting bored.

Go to Riva for a day out if you've got kids, there's a nice little shallow beach bit.

We went to Venice for a day but tbh it was a bit of a long day. You drive to Venice, have to park, get the foot boat to the town, it all felt a bit rushed for one day.

Go to the botanical gardens on the ferry. Can't remember exactly where they were but I think near Limone. They're amazing.

timeforakinderworld · 04/07/2019 19:04

I would definitely go to Venice. Get an early high speed train and wander around. I can also recommend a tour of the Jewish quarter but if it's your first visit you'll have enough to do just walking around.

sneakypinky · 04/07/2019 19:05

Oh and there's a "panoramic cliff walk" between Malcesine and Riva that we really liked, we saw people with kids doing it but depends how old they are.

tisonlymeagain · 04/07/2019 19:08

Don't forget about Verona! Only 20 mins from the bottom of Lake Garda and a beautiful city!

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 04/07/2019 19:09

Venice is beautiful but best avoided in the summer really. There is a lot of walking and battling crowds and your children might get fed up. Also quite a long way from garda. Are you thinking of taking the train?

Verona is beautiful. Lots of lovely shops and places to eat. If you can manage it, see an opera in the arena.

Gardaland is fun. There are a couple of big rides and lots of smaller ones. Also some shows and a 4D experience. Theres a small sealife centre there too in case you get a rainy day.

We haven't tried the water parks but went to one of the thermal lakes which was lovely.

The spinning cable car is good but the queues to get down can be tedious.

Do a boat trip on the lake. It's actually the easiest way to visit the towns around the lake. Check out the various markets and events for each town. Bardolino is our favourite and has fabulous live music in the square some nights.

There's a wild life park too.

CharBart · 04/07/2019 19:09

It was very hot when we went so we limited our day trips and didn’t do Venice or the theme parks. We stayed a couple of nights in Verona which is beautiful and doable as a day trip from lake Garda. We were based in Peschiera and did trips by boat to Lazise and Sirmione which were both nice. Kids were mainly happy chilling in the lake or pool.

billybagpuss · 04/07/2019 19:14

Will you have a car?

There is a boat going around the lake, which is fun, sirmione is lovely.

We went when the DD's were small 4 and 2 I think, did a day trip to Verona which was great (other than major strop by DD1 in the middle of the amphitheatre), and obviously some usual sightseeing stuff and spent alot of time in the campsite as with youngsters there's plenty to keep them entertained. Salo is lovely and they had a great firework display on the lake but not sure when and Riva was also lovely.

We then went again a couple of years ago now DC's are adults with just DD2 and BF. This time we did Venice, I wouldn't have wanted to do it with younger kids as it was a very long (but enjoyable) day.

Getting around without a car can be a bit problematic if you don't want to go to the main boat towns. We looked into the water park and decided against it and the rep agreed it wasn't straightforward. Having said that getting around with a car can be petrifying, especially as we drove there so were in a RH drive car and the Italians are maniacs on the road.

Thenthatsthatthen · 04/07/2019 19:23

We did both Venice and Verona and didn’t really enjo Venice that much-far to busy. Verona on the other hand was lovely and we’ve booked to go and stay there this summer. Large amphitheater which registry holds concerts, house of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet and generally a very pretty town. We stayed in a different town each night and used the boats to get around which was really easy.

jackparlabane · 04/07/2019 19:24

The water park is good fun, though some of the scariest rides I wasn't convinced by the safety procedures, but with your kids you wouldn't be going on them anyway. If they like a pool I'd highly recommend.
There are buses on the east side of the lake.
I would go to Verona once or twice rather than travel all the way to Venice - the archaeological museum is great, mostly outside, and the opera arena is basically a copy of the Colisseum only free - if you go when they are setting up the next opera you get all the fun of seeing the stage set moving in and some rehearsals, and it's free.
There's culture around Garda - we ended up watching the Ukrainian national ballet putting on an open air performance of the Nutcracker, free in a square near Bardolino. Add a couple Scaliger castles and you've got culture. There's always the olive oil and wine museums - the wine one is very focused on tasting, not been to the oil one!

SylviaAndSidney · 04/07/2019 19:27

My screen is cracked and I honestly thought the title read Lady Gaga.
I was intrigued as to what you could possibly need to know, and how many experts there'd be.
Sadly I'm an expert in neither.

MrsBertBibby · 04/07/2019 19:32

Definitely Malcesine and the cable car ride! Apparently the queues can be horrific in high season. I think you can book ahead and reduce some waiting. Take a picnic, we spent ages up there. Truly stunning. You can walk down if you don't fancy the wait and your knees can take it.

The Heller garden at Gardone Riviera is glorious, and quite kid friendly. Ice lollies at the top. We were taken aback at the price til we got in and realised it is amazing.

Boat rides all over, of course.

MrsBertBibby · 04/07/2019 19:35

The amphitheatre in Verona isn't free! We paid reduced entry because it was restricted access due to staging. Again, queuing was bad, although I think you can get city pass things.

BeardedMum · 04/07/2019 19:35

Lake Garda is the most boring place I have been on holiday and it’s beauty overrated compared to other lakes in my view. We rented a car to get away and drove to Verona and I suppose Venice would be doable too. Love both Venice and Verona.

Original poster
FoamyMilk · 04/07/2019 19:36

Oooh thanks all.

We've not got a car. I did read that the roads get very busy and neither of us really want to drive.

May leave Venice, Verona sounds much more pleasant.

Boat trip on the lake also sounds lovely.

I'm so excited.

OP posts:
Tryingtogetitright · 04/07/2019 19:40

We stayed in Malcesine and it was my favourite holiday ever! Would love to go back. You'll have a wonderful time!

Leftielefterson · 04/07/2019 19:44

Oh I’m so jealous OP! I went there a few years ago, it’s truly beautiful. I wish I’d have had longer there but I was on a cycling holiday so passing through. The food there is amazing and the views are other worldly.

I did also go to Venice during this trip which was really lovely. Expect to spend some serious £££ there especially in the main area but the back streets are far cheaper. Harry’s bar is worth a visit for their famous Bellini and dry martini (outrageously expensive but good fun) and Hemingway used to drink there! Doge’s palace and the Basilica is a must. I stayed at the Westin which was beautiful but think it’s closed for renovation - they have a floating table on the canal - very romantic but maybe not with the DC.

Verona is also stunning and well worth a visit. The food there is the best Italian I’ve had.

Cwtches123 · 04/07/2019 19:46

Our favourite thing was swimming in the lake and bobbing about on inflatables. The shore of the lake is stoney - take beach shoes with you, they are essential. (cheap from sports direct).

TapasForTwo · 04/07/2019 19:55

"Lake Garda is the most boring place I have been on holiday and it’s beauty overrated compared to other lakes in my view"

Really Hmm
Only a boring person would say that. I love, love, love Lake Garda. It is breathtakingly beautiful, especially the further north you go. There is loads to see and do.

We stayed in Garda the first time. It is ideally placed for seeing towns at both ends of the lake. Ditto going to Malcesine. It is really worth it. I would also add to the mustn't miss list Sirmione and Gardone. There is an amzing garden in Gardone with an unexpected surprise in it. I won't give any spoilers away. We also visited Lazise, Bardolino and Peschiera. Don't bother with a car. Just use the ferry to get around. It is really easy to use. I haven't been to Riva or Limone, but understand that they are worth visiting. The local markets are a must as well. From what I remember market day in Garda is Friday.

I loved Garda. You can sit by the lake sipping an Aperol spritz. There is also a nice paved walk net to the lake. I think you can walk to Bardolino. I think you can also hire bikes and cycle along it.

Lake Garda is one of my favourite places on earth.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/07/2019 20:01

Garda is lovely. Plenty of bars for drinking Aperol spritzes, plenty of restaurants, bustling but not horrifically busy.

The 'beach' areas fill up quickly, so if you want a day waterside, get there early.

The boat journey up to Riva and Malcesine is good. I didn't like the latter much, because it was so busy, but Riva was nice.

Sermione in August is hideous - my advice would be to stay well away.

With young children, I'd be tempted to not bother with Verona and definitely not Venice - they'll enjoy the boats, the lake, the ice cream!

Original poster
FoamyMilk · 04/07/2019 20:39

With young children, I'd be tempted to not bother with Verona and definitely not Venice - they'll enjoy the boats, the lake, the ice cream!

Leaning more towards that as I think about the heat and crowds! I asked them and they were mildly interested in the mini Colosseum but far more interested in the cable car.

Thank you for the shoes/stones tip! Are there flying bitey things, do we need mosquito spray?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/07/2019 20:47

I only got bitten once, when we walked up into the hills. No spray needed down by the lake.

Original poster
FoamyMilk · 04/07/2019 20:51

Thank you!

OP posts:
TapasForTwo · 04/07/2019 20:54

"Are there flying bitey things, do we need mosquito spray?"

Ignore Remus (sorry Remus Smile). If you are a mosquito magnet then you will definitely need insect repellent. Proper DEET, not woo stuff. DH forgot to put some on his feet the first night and ended up on industrial strength antihistamines which meant he couldn't drink. But he is a mozzie magnet. DD and I didn't get bitten.

And yes, they are mosquitoes, not midges.

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