Leaving Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre, we change trains in Milan and continue on to Lago di Garda (Lake Garda), about 150 km (65 miles) east of Milan. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is a popular vacation spot, located between Brescia and Milan on the west and Verona and Venice to the east. The lake touches the Italian Alps, with the northern end located in a depression that intrudes into the Alps, while the southern portion is in a valley that runs from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, formed by stream erosion from a glacier 5 to 6 million years ago.
We stay in the town of Desenzano del Garda, just across the lake from the peninsula dividing the lower part of the lake, the location of Sirmione, one of the most popular locations on Lake Garda. Sirmione welcomes thousands of visitors every day to view the picturesque peninsula and its lakeside resorts, thermal baths, fortress, and history.
We arrive in Desenzano and wander through the town.
Desenzano has a main harbor near the center of town, with a busy ferry terminal transporting people all around the lake and moorings for many private pleasure boats.
We walk a few blocks into the town and visit Castello di Desenzano del Garda, overlooking the town and located on a site of a Roman fort built to repel barbarian invasions. The castle was rebuilt and reinforced in the fifteenth century, when it contained 120 houses and a church. Only the walls remain now, with four towers, the tower entrance, and a drawbridge. We enter and climb one of the towers for spectacular views of Lake Garda.
In the stairway to the top of the tower, an audio-visual display on the rock walls narrates the history and purpose of the castle.
At the top of the tower, we get spectacular views of the city and the lake.
Returning to the lungolago along the water, we enjoy sunset across the lake.
In the morning we find a farmers market along the water and stroll, enjoying the sights of local farm produce and products.
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