Lake Garda, a Mediterranean oasis stretching up into the Alps as far as the ramifications of the Brenta-Adamello group, was formed during the last Ice Age. The climate is temperate and mild and the unusual vegetation of the area has much in common with the southern regions of Italy. The lakeside has since ancient times been flourishing civilisations, from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, from the Bronze Age to the first settlements of the Gauls, until the area finally became one of the strongholds of the Romans. Villas have been discovered, together with roads and fortifications, along the entire Riviera, on the east bank of the Lake, and where not only is D.O.C. olive oil produced, but also famous D.O.C. wines, such as Bianco di Custoza and Bardolino. Looming above the Riviera of Olives is Mount Baldo, an ideal and rewarding excursion for the visitor with time to spare: with its unique flora, deriving from the fact that the higher peaks were not submersed under the last ice age, together with very ancient, prehistoric paths (such as that at S. Zeno di Montagna) and very modern winter sports facilities (cable cars and ski lifts at Malcesine - Tratto Spino - Prada - Costabella, Spiazzi - Novezzina).

Sirmione - Salo - Riva Del Garda - Peschiera - Gardone - Garda