Family suggestions for Garda in the summer

[RJnomore]

Looking for next summer - me, DH and two girls, 15 and 10 by then.

Want garda town itself if possible, plan to visit Verona, Milan, Venice, gardaland and the cable car at bardolino (or is it malcesine?)

Suggestion from the travel agent has been Poaino resort, it looks good, thinking of the self catering rather than half board as will be out and about lots but the trip advisor reviews are patchy. Has anyone been or does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm getting stressed trying to decide!

We're going to Lake Garda, for the first time, mid-August. (Me,DH and DD17, DS15. We've booked a large mobile home on a campsite in Peschiera. It's not my ideal accommodation (much more at home in a nice villa with a pool as we did last year!) but think it'll be better for the kids to have something to do and go off on their own.
I looked at the Poaino resort as it looked like the best of both worlds, but like you, was concerned about the mixed reports. I think some of the self-catering apartments were on a hill and away from the pool, etc, and they were maybe a little dated?! Not sure if you've considered campsites but I believe the Italian ones are very good.

We don't camp.

From memory though the sites along near the lake are lovely. It's been a while since we were there as I said but we walked past a lot.

It's the best of both worlds bit which appeals - usually we go AI but I know we will not spend much time in the complex, also there are very little (are there any??) AI complexes around the lakes. I would just like to tàlk to someone who has been!

You will have a great time, there is so much to do and the food is great

We went to Lake Garda a few years ago, stayed with Eurocamp. Perfectly fine but bit cramped etc.. But we loved the amazing outdoor water parks, pretty empty, clean and great fun.

Have you looked at Parc Hotel Germano Suites in Bardolino?

Cable car is in Malcesine, be prepared to wait. Will you have use of a car ? Avoid the motorway at the weekends. Milan is a fair trek and not sure how easy by train, tbh I wasn't that impressed. The north of the lake is more mountainous and better for water sports as wind is weaker at the south end.

We stayed here in Garda town and loved it. Garda is a shortish transfer from Verona and is is ideally located on the lake to visit all the towns.

The hotel is old fashioned and family run, but what made it for us was the friendliness of the staff and how special theey made all the guests feeel. I also liked that it was a cosmopolitan clientele there and not just all English guests.

It is only a 5 minute walk from the lake and the landing stage where you can get the ferry from. I would suggest that if you want to visit Riva right at the top you get the fast ferry as it takes about 3 hours on the normal ferry service.

Thanks will look at all suggestions.

Milan is easy by train. DH and I have been to milan quite a bit but I've never taken the girls. Don't intend to hire a car, it's less of a break somehow. Quite happy to use the buses and trains and even a coach trip if need be.

Hadn't really thought about bardolino but it's walking distance from Garda itself isn't it? (really must look at map getting rather mixed up with town names!)

You can get a bus to Peschiera for the train.
You can walk by the lake to Bardolino or hire bikes or take a ferry.

The bus runs along the lake so you could bus it back. We didn't use buses as I don't like travelling by bus, but everyone said they were easy to use. You have to buy your tickets before getting on.