Hi to all out there ! <BR> <BR>I'm heading to Verona for the Opera Festival in early August and would rather stay in one of the towns in or around Lake Garda. Any suggestions for Upmarket Hotel Accomodation. By the way which of the towns surrounding the lake is the most scenic.....? <BR>Thanks !

<BR>My family and I are also in the same situation ..... Its my daughters ( 11 ) first introduction to Opera and I want to also combine some more child friendly activities for our Vacation - I believe there's an Italian version of Disney near Lake Garda. The local to see and do spots are widely published but thus far I haven't encountered any suitable Hotel Accomodation. I would be delighted to receive some suggestions, <BR> <BR>John <BR> <BR>

I don't know about you Fiona, but since John's will his first, a few words about the opera seem in order. <BR> If you get "gradinata" tickets, you should get in the queue around 6:30pm (otherwise you'll get the place that's left). If you get any numbered seat ticket, you may get to the Arena at 9pm. The Aida performance (longest) ends around 1:30am ... get the picture? Till you're in your car it'll be about 2am. I assure you won't be willing to drive very far <BR> If you want stay around the Lake, IMO you should choose either Sirmione or Torri del Benaco, or a town in between (Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino or Garda). In general, I find the west coast of the lake the most scenic and would advise you to drive through if you have the time. I have no doubt in stating that Torri del Benaco, with its very nice little port, is the most scenic town in the east coast. Punta San Vigilio, a few miles to the south IMO is the most scenic point of the whole eastern shore. Although I like Torri del Benaco better, Sirmione is also very nice. <BR> Regarding hotels, I would recommend John to consider Hotel Gardesana in Torri del Benaco. The kids will sure like it. It lays right in the small port area, with a nice view and very close to the ferry that crosses the lake. Gardaland is relatively close to the south. Regarding hotels between Verona and the Lake, we found the ***Crocioni Hotel Rizzi very convenient (cheap, clean, easy access from the Autostrada, to Verona and to the lake, A/C, etc), but one should consider it only for sleeping a couple of nights, that is, to take off after breakfast and return to go to bed (bookings on line). <BR> Although I haven't been in either, Fiona might be more satisfied with the Villa Cortine Palace, in Sirmione, or the Relais & Chateaux Hotel Villa del Quar, in Pedemonte. <BR> <BR> Paulo <BR> <BR>

<BR>Hi Paulo, <BR> <BR>Many thanks for your kind advice - I'll certainly take it on board ! Really looking forward to this trip ! <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR> <BR>Fiona

<BR> At the end of May '99, we stayed at the Sirmione Hotel, <BR>wthin the city, about $115 per <BR>double. It's a **** hotel with <BR>nice accomodations, extra-special <BR>service such as holdiing our bags, <BR>keeping our car while we went to Venice on the train. Good Bargain. <BR>Sirmione was lots of fun, and in- <BR>teresting as well. <BR>One could take the ferry to lots <BR>of interesting little towns. <BR>In reflection, I believe prices <BR>were going up 20% for the summer <BR>season, but we still feel it's <BR>a bargain, and along wih the <BR>Lorenzo restaurant, would consider <BR>Sirmione an excellent choice. <BR>Tip: look for the people-friendly <BR>historically interesting, less <BR>crowded "gems" of Europe that <BR>are memories. Sirmione is close, <BR>Bellagio at the Perle Panoramic <BR>with the boat trip to Isola <BR>Comacina restaurant is dead center. <BR>Skip the Florences. Have a great <BR>time.

Fiona, The hotel suggestions above are <BR>good if you want easy access to Verona. <BR>However, you asked for the most scenic <BR>part of the Lake and that is easily the <BR>northern part--the south end is really <BR>somewhat bland. I would stay in Riva del <BR>Garda at the Hotel Sole for fantastic <BR>natural beauty. However, the charming <BR>village of Malcesine on the east shore <BR>is a good compromise. Sirmione is very <BR>touristy but cute---the Hotel Eden is a <BR>good value 4 star. If you want the real <BR>Lake Garda beauty then go north and you <BR>are still :45 from Verona. Good luck !

Fiona, The hotel suggestions above are <BR>good if you want easy access to Verona. <BR>However, you asked for the most scenic <BR>part of the Lake and that is easily the <BR>northern part--the south end is really <BR>somewhat bland. I would stay in Riva del <BR>Garda at the Hotel Sole for fantastic <BR>natural beauty. However, the charming <BR>village of Malcesine on the east shore <BR>is a good compromise. Sirmione is very <BR>touristy but cute---the Hotel Eden is a <BR>good value 4 star. If you want the real <BR>Lake Garda beauty then go north and you <BR>are still :45 from Verona. Good luck !

I can't say enough about the Hotel Grifone in Sirmione. Just excellent, and so inexpensive that it is hard to believe. Sits right next to one of the most magnificent castles I have seen. Karen Brown recommends it in her book and she is right on!