Hello Fellow Travellers,
We are headed by train from Venice to Verona, and then we'll pick up a car for 2 nights in Lake Garda. The mid-October dates are unfortunately just after the Bardolino fests, and after the ferries stop running. Is it a BAD time to go?
1. Not sure if we should base ourselves in Sirmione and do long day trips, or stay in two places.
2. Riva del Garda gets a lot of attention as the prettiest spot. Should we drive around the whole lake?, or just up and down the west side?
3. Your favorite place to stay?
We do have some flexibility. The plan is to drive down towards Parma/Modena and drop the car, so no parking issues. It's worth the extra cost = train + our time. We have to make our way back down to Bologna for travel south for a wedding. 6 (or 7, see below) nights total between the Lake, Parma and Modena.

(As an aside, we're coming from Venice where we can stay for 3 or 4 nights. I figured 4: 2 days to explore Venice, one at the Biennale, one to explore Murano/Burano.)
Thanks in advance. Always happy to hear your ideas.

Since you're already planning a one-way car rental, I'd pick up the car as you're leaving Venice. Or were you trying to squeeze in a few hours in Verona?

Two nights on Garda... Wherever you stay, I don't see the opportunity for multiple long day trips. I see one day unless all you want to do is drive. Just personal preference, but I like the northern end of the lake. I prefer Limone or Malcesine over Riva, and I like driving the western shore over the eastern shore.

I don't really understand the rest of your plans and/or whether you're asking for comment on any if it.

I'd actually check out your other thread for what folks suggested about your time in Lake Garda. To me, this would be awfully rushed to only have 2 nights there.

5 Days Venice and Bologna - possible?

Jean, we're taking your advice. Picking up a car in Venice and meandering our way through Verona up the west coast and down the east over 3.5 days. We usually like to stay put for a few days, but the drive seems worth it.
Any particular place you like to stay in Limone or Malcesine? How about Sirmione?

I wouldn’t stay in Sirmione..it’s a long way from the best of the lake which is it’s more northern end.
We stayed in an excellent hotel above Malcesine last March:

https://www.panoramamalcesine.com/en/

Loved it, perfect with a car with fab views as it’s set a 5 min drive above the town.But not if you want to walk to restaurants at night for choice or just a general stroll.Easy car parking outside the Malcesine.

Malcesine or Limone would be my choice re the prettiest villages…prettier than Riva which, at the older part , is very attractive but it’s a big busy town with a lot of modern development round it too.Big shopping complex( very good) but too busy for me with traffic etc.If you like shopping, some high end shops.

I also suggest either Limone or Malcesine and, if budget allows, something right on the lake. Based on your comment about "meandering our way," I would give a slight nod to Limone because of the scenic drives on that side of the lake, particularly Strada della Forra (links below). We've also done some lovely random drives into the hills on the western side, up to Mezzolago, south to Lago Valvestino, etc I would drive the eastern shore of the lake from north to south so that the water views are on your side of the road, but the amount of traffic (even in mid-October) can be disappointing.

https://www.touring-italy.net/tours/...p?recordid=136


Eastern shore drive:


What is the priority level for Verona? I would find it hard to make a quick visit on the way from Venice to the north end of Lake Garda. I like Verona and think there is too much to see, and parking outside the ZTL can take away precious time. If a long day in the car is ok, I'd rather drive north from Venice to Belluno, west to Trento and then south to the lake. Some lovely mountain views in places, esp. after Trento. But if Verona is a high priority, you could spend a couple of hours on the way from Venice and again on the way to Bologna.