Lake Garda or Lake Lugano?
Aug 13th, 2014, 09:53 AM
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Lake Garda or Lake Lugano?
We will be traveling in late September through northern Italy and parts of Switzerland. Since our days are limited, we will have to decide between spending two nights in Lake Garda or two nights in Lake Lugano. (We have already been to Lake Como and loved it; otherwise, we would have considered that area.)
Which of the two areas would be more scenic, have more charming villages, more sights to see such as castles, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
So much to see and too little time!
Which of the two areas would be more scenic, have more charming villages, more sights to see such as castles, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
So much to see and too little time!
Aug 13th, 2014, 10:08 AM
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Been to both a few times and for me Lake Garda wins hands down - Sirmione, exemplary Roman ruins and old fishing village (now angling to hook tourists bucks and not fish) and a host of neat cities - especially in the fjord-like northern tip of the lake which has a definite Germanic feeling to it with lots of Germans and Austrians vacationing here.
Lake Lugano is of course nice but a day was enough for me there and Lugano never plussed me that much - nice town but rather boring to me anyway.
Lake Garda's environs are also cheaper than expensive Switzerland. To me Lake Garda was the most beautiful and interesting of the three major lakes in Italy's Lake District.
Lake Lugano is of course nice but a day was enough for me there and Lugano never plussed me that much - nice town but rather boring to me anyway.
Lake Garda's environs are also cheaper than expensive Switzerland. To me Lake Garda was the most beautiful and interesting of the three major lakes in Italy's Lake District.
Aug 13th, 2014, 10:37 AM
#3
well, I've not been to Lugano, but I agree about Lake Garda - it's really lovely and very well served by the boats that serve all the towns on the lake.
Where you stay on the lake may depend on where you are going to be coming from - if you stay at either end [Riva del Garda at the north, Sirmione in the south] it's quite difficult to get to see the places at the other end. However, if you stay in the middle of either side of the lake [eg Garda on the eastern shore, Gardone Riviera on the west] you have a much larger choice of excursions.
My only real criticism of your plan is that wherever you stay, it's not long enough! we spent a week in Garda and would have needed another week to see it all.
Where you stay on the lake may depend on where you are going to be coming from - if you stay at either end [Riva del Garda at the north, Sirmione in the south] it's quite difficult to get to see the places at the other end. However, if you stay in the middle of either side of the lake [eg Garda on the eastern shore, Gardone Riviera on the west] you have a much larger choice of excursions.
My only real criticism of your plan is that wherever you stay, it's not long enough! we spent a week in Garda and would have needed another week to see it all.
Aug 13th, 2014, 10:56 AM
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If coming by train there are two railheads for Lake Garda - the nicer one IO is not Sirmione, sadly overrun with tourists - one of the biggest mob scenes I have ever seen but the city with train service just a few miles from it - Pescheria del Garda - a uniquely fortified city itself - or base in a more centrally located town by taking boats or buses from there. Descenazno del Garda is another railhead on the mainline Venice to Milan that makes a nice well-equipped and rather suave base with zillions of hotels and a pleasant lakeside walkway, etc.
a week would be nice but in two days we saw every major site on the lake but then again I like to move quickly.
Boast service is frequent in season anyway.
a week would be nice but in two days we saw every major site on the lake but then again I like to move quickly.
Boast service is frequent in season anyway.
Aug 13th, 2014, 12:56 PM
#5
a week would be nice but in two days we saw every major site on the lake but then again I like to move quickly.>>
I'd be interested to know what you think are the major sites of the lake, pal! in two days you might manage the head of the lake [Riva] on one day] and the base [Sirmione] on the next but did you make it to the top of Monte Baldo in the cable car from Malcesine? or walk up to the Vittoriale degli Italiani at Gardone Riviera? or see the botanical garden Hruska?
it's not so much a matter of moving quickly - if you rush through a place it's hard to find out what it is you missed!
I'd be interested to know what you think are the major sites of the lake, pal! in two days you might manage the head of the lake [Riva] on one day] and the base [Sirmione] on the next but did you make it to the top of Monte Baldo in the cable car from Malcesine? or walk up to the Vittoriale degli Italiani at Gardone Riviera? or see the botanical garden Hruska?
it's not so much a matter of moving quickly - if you rush through a place it's hard to find out what it is you missed!
Aug 13th, 2014, 01:47 PM
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http://www.vittoriale.it/&prev=/sear...i%26es_sm%3D93.
We saw Sirmione - new town and Roman ruins; took boat to Riva del Garda at northern fjord-like tip of the lake; Limone and the lemon trees - another town up there on the east side and then to Gardone Riviera and the FANTASTIC Vittoriale degli Italiani - a most unique residence of the famous writer - there is a large boat on the roof - did you explore Pescheria - a fascinating town with Napoleonic-era fortifications and Descenzano, another nice lakeside town?
No did not do the chairlift - we had just come from Switzerland and were chair lifted out (not literally) and I don't recall the botanical gardens - point is there are many sights but the main sights I think yes we did hit - well enough for me anyway but there are always more to see.
But the Vittoriale degli Italiani was the absolute highlight of our short but sweet visit - a surprise at every turn in this dark dark house (the writer was allergic to light, bright light so holed up inside - he was also a Howard Hughes type character having done all kinds of racing exploits, etc.
No did not do some things you did but we were heading to Venice and thought the time would be better spent there.
Point is a few days on the lake can show you many neat sights but not everyone - it it were our destination then it would have been different but was a stop between Switzerland and Venice.
Capiche?
We saw Sirmione - new town and Roman ruins; took boat to Riva del Garda at northern fjord-like tip of the lake; Limone and the lemon trees - another town up there on the east side and then to Gardone Riviera and the FANTASTIC Vittoriale degli Italiani - a most unique residence of the famous writer - there is a large boat on the roof - did you explore Pescheria - a fascinating town with Napoleonic-era fortifications and Descenzano, another nice lakeside town?
No did not do the chairlift - we had just come from Switzerland and were chair lifted out (not literally) and I don't recall the botanical gardens - point is there are many sights but the main sights I think yes we did hit - well enough for me anyway but there are always more to see.
But the Vittoriale degli Italiani was the absolute highlight of our short but sweet visit - a surprise at every turn in this dark dark house (the writer was allergic to light, bright light so holed up inside - he was also a Howard Hughes type character having done all kinds of racing exploits, etc.
No did not do some things you did but we were heading to Venice and thought the time would be better spent there.
Point is a few days on the lake can show you many neat sights but not everyone - it it were our destination then it would have been different but was a stop between Switzerland and Venice.
Capiche?
Aug 13th, 2014, 02:01 PM
#7
si, Pal, capisco. [i did write a sentence in my best italian to follow this but decided that it would be showing off to post it!]
Seriously, I'm glad you saw the Vittoriale, which I agree is one of the highlights of the area. D'annunzio did not restrict his exploits to racing BTW.
you certainly packed things in [as did he!]
Luvsun - i think that it's a shame not to spend longer in this lovely place but as ever you have a choice below the 'wham bam thank you mam" approach advocated by PalenQ and the rather more leisurely style that I prefer. The choice is yours.
Seriously, I'm glad you saw the Vittoriale, which I agree is one of the highlights of the area. D'annunzio did not restrict his exploits to racing BTW.
you certainly packed things in [as did he!]
Luvsun - i think that it's a shame not to spend longer in this lovely place but as ever you have a choice below the 'wham bam thank you mam" approach advocated by PalenQ and the rather more leisurely style that I prefer. The choice is yours.
Aug 13th, 2014, 03:20 PM
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ann - OP said their time was limited to a few days - are you saying either longer or not worth the time? I wholeheartedly disagree if the latter - two days is better than none and you can see the essence of the lake - by boat - get a day boat pass (or longer if they exist) - only from the middle of the lake can you really appreciate it, especially when going north to the fjord-like part, which did indeed remind me of Norway's fjords, a bit!
But back to original question - I think as annhig has shown Lake Garda has a lot to see and do - much more IME than Lake Lugano, which I have visited several times as well.
But back to original question - I think as annhig has shown Lake Garda has a lot to see and do - much more IME than Lake Lugano, which I have visited several times as well.
Aug 13th, 2014, 07:29 PM
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Thank you very much for your feedback. The idea of taking the boats sounds very intriguing. We also will have a car. We were planning to stay in Salo. Is that a convenient place to take either a passenger or car ferry across or around the lake?
Aug 14th, 2014, 12:42 AM
#10
Salo is not best placed for the "round the lake " experience. It's limited in its choice of hotels and places to eat and is geographically badly situated to visit the east side. It's OK for Sirmione and Desenzano, but apart from Limone, IMO the east side has more interesting places to visit.
Maybe consider Bardolino or Torri del Benaco, both being better placed to visit both the north and south ends of the lake. With only two nights however, I think I'd stay in Sirmione. In late September it will be quieter and easier to get into hotels and restaurants. Try and stay within the walls of the old town, rather than along the narrow strip that runs up to the gates. I can recommend the Flamini or Olivi as good 4* hotels.
Maybe consider Bardolino or Torri del Benaco, both being better placed to visit both the north and south ends of the lake. With only two nights however, I think I'd stay in Sirmione. In late September it will be quieter and easier to get into hotels and restaurants. Try and stay within the walls of the old town, rather than along the narrow strip that runs up to the gates. I can recommend the Flamini or Olivi as good 4* hotels.
Aug 14th, 2014, 06:18 AM
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Sirmione to me is one of the most plastic towns I've seen - rivaling Portofino and Bellagio - stay in a real town not some tourist trap with more tourist-oriented stores than real ones - even in September can be mobbed with day trippers - could be nice at night I guess but I loved Pescheria, just a few miles away - a real Italian town still on the lake - not as dreamy as Sirmione could be if not flooded with tourists but unique and nice in its own way.
Aug 14th, 2014, 10:18 AM
#12
I respectfully disagree with rubicund. Salo would be ok but perhaps Gardone Riviera just a bit further down the west coast of the lake would be better as it is possibly better for access to the boats [to the east, north and south] and is within walking distance of the Vittoriale. however, both are lovely.
apart from its being plastic [possibly] the main disadvantage of Sirmione is that it's at the bottom of the lake and thus restricts access to the northern end. if you are only going to be there for 2-3 nights, IMO you want to be in the middle.
apart from its being plastic [possibly] the main disadvantage of Sirmione is that it's at the bottom of the lake and thus restricts access to the northern end. if you are only going to be there for 2-3 nights, IMO you want to be in the middle.
May 1st, 2016, 04:47 AM
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Lake Garda- absolutely!
You have a choice of busier Riva del Garda on the northern end, higher end villages like Gargnano, or mountain villages like Tignale(Gardole). I would definitely choose the western side of the lake.
The views are spectacular. More astounding rocky shorelines and snowcapped mountains to the east. The lake itself is gorgeous and chilly year round.
My family spent two weeks there in the off season sailing and found the people to be friendly and helpful and the food was delicious.
If you make it there- try Osteria La Miniera in Tignale for dinner(reservations) and the Musee di Saló was a surprise, it was the capital of Fascist Germany at the end of WWII. Mussolini's villa was in Gargnano. But you can just hike and enjoy the food and views as well.
http://provenanceal.blogspot.fr/2016...-giornata.html
You have a choice of busier Riva del Garda on the northern end, higher end villages like Gargnano, or mountain villages like Tignale(Gardole). I would definitely choose the western side of the lake.
The views are spectacular. More astounding rocky shorelines and snowcapped mountains to the east. The lake itself is gorgeous and chilly year round.
My family spent two weeks there in the off season sailing and found the people to be friendly and helpful and the food was delicious.
If you make it there- try Osteria La Miniera in Tignale for dinner(reservations) and the Musee di Saló was a surprise, it was the capital of Fascist Germany at the end of WWII. Mussolini's villa was in Gargnano. But you can just hike and enjoy the food and views as well.
http://provenanceal.blogspot.fr/2016...-giornata.html
May 1st, 2016, 07:46 AM
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Everybody is crazy about the Amalfi Coast, but Lake Garda is as equally dramatic. The coastal roads in the northern half of Lake Garda are simply breathtaking.
Sirmione is good for a daytrip (I have lovely memories - I learnt swimming there some half century ago), but I would stay in one of the picturesque villages in the northern half, where the coast is so dramatic.
My favourite town is Limone. On the eastern shore, Malcesine would be an option.
At least, so into one of the towns which are at the foothills of the mountains that surround the northern part of the lake, e.g. Garda or Bardolino.
Sirmione is good for a daytrip (I have lovely memories - I learnt swimming there some half century ago), but I would stay in one of the picturesque villages in the northern half, where the coast is so dramatic.
My favourite town is Limone. On the eastern shore, Malcesine would be an option.
At least, so into one of the towns which are at the foothills of the mountains that surround the northern part of the lake, e.g. Garda or Bardolino.
