Can anyone familiar with the lake help me decide between Malcesine or Limone Sul Garda as a destination? Convenience for day trips and a good variety of hotels and restaurants are important. Have previously enjoyed Bellagio and Ascona and are looking for something similar. Hoping to travel by train but that option seems limited. Are there bus connections from the outlying stations to destinations along the lake? Thank You for your input.

Bill, That is a tough choice, and I would add Riva to the mix. I think I would opt for Malcesine for more to see.<BR>Mt Baldo is a nice diversion above there for great views. I do not know about busses, but the train goes to Desenzano and you can hydrofoil from there. That is the primary transport for Lago Garda.

I strongly urge you to rent a car.<BR><BR>And I would put Limone in 4th place as a "base", behind a three-way tie: Riva, Malcesine, Garda<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

up<BR>

I stayed in Malcesine last summer, however, I wished that I had stayed in Riva--we found ourselves driving there a lot because the beach area offered more activities for my children. As far as day trips, Riva might be better as well, due to access to the highway. From Malcesine, driving down the lake road often had horrendous traffic. Not sure of your price range, but the Hotel du Lac et du Parc in Riva looked quite nice. <BR>I just noticed you want to travel by train. I would re think that and highly recommend renting a car for this area. Driving was a snap, if you could get used to the cars passing you in the narrow dark tunnels!!