Riva del Garda or Bolzano early spring?
 

Hi,
I'm going on my first solo trip to Italy and will be staying in Venice for 10 days and Verona for 5. I was wondering about a side trip out of Verona. I'll be in Verona the last week of March. Public transportation all the way.

Riva del Garda looks pretty and is accessible by bus from Verona. Is it going to be pretty closed up the last week of March and not worth a visit? Bad time of year to go? Pescheria?

The other place that looks pretty (I won't do both places, only one, if at all) is Bolzano, but again, I wonder if that week is "in between" seasons (ski season over, hiking yet to come). I fear the gondolas won't be running, the trees bare, the pastures not green....

Perhaps, Milan is the only "safe bet" for a side trip from Verona?

The other complication is that I will be in Verona March 28-April 2, so that includes Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday....maybe not the greatest days to try to "side-trip"?

Is it best just to sit tight in Verona the whole time?

Thanks.

Let the local weather dictate on the spot.
If it is good then do the Garda trip and hope to ferry the length of the lake. Bolzano may be too far---Trento may be an option.

Bolzabo is a city. Very attractive, but a city.

Riva is not the easiest place to get to. I liked Sirmione, the old part, within the city walls. Good boat connections to some of the sights along the lake, a nice "feel" to the whole place. stayed at the Hotel Ideal, at the end of the penisnula, across from a Roman villa.Good hotel, but there are others just as fine.

Train from Verona to Brescia, with busses to S. Short ride.

Sorry, correction: The train station(s) for Sirmione are Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera delo Garda. Apparently not every train stops at both stations, but they alternate. Descenzaon is the large of the two. It's on the Milano - Venezia main line. I know that there are busses from there to Sirmione, but I don't know the schedule. Taxis are also available and prices are not out of reach.

I agree that Sirmione is much easier to get to than Riva. Get off the train from Verona at Peschiera Del Garda and take either a bus (€4) or a cab (€10) into Sirmione. I've stayed at the Oliva and it was a good hotel.

Milan is too far if you are flying out of Venice as is Bolzano. It shouldn't be too busy at Garda as Easter is early this year and a lot does depend on the weather.

The Italian bus line, APTV operates a line from Verona to Riva del Garda with stops in Peschiera. The bus takes approximately 20 minutes to Peschiera and an hour and a half to Riva del Garda. I know it runs daily (nearly). I will also check out Sirmione.

These are day trips only. I will not stay overnight in any of these places.

It is only an hour and a half to Milan by train. Again, it would be just a day visit.

I've just realized my time in Verona is going to include Easter weekend, and that the timing for travel may not be good. If not, I will just stay in Verona and enjoy it.

I am torn on Bolzano. Not my favourite in the region - Merano is much prettier IMO. Or try Trento, much closer to Verona.

What about Malcesine? It is a bit closer to Verona than Riva del Garda and I find it more attractive.

Be prepared that every touristy place will be crowded on Easter holidays.

Ingo, I wasn't familiar with Malcesine. It looks beautiful. I am hesitant to travel over the Easter holiday.

I've read scanty information saying that Verona has a Good Friday procession, a Saturday regatta.... I can't find out where to see them, however.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check them out.