WHAT TO DO
Lake Garda – the best family vacation in Europe!
Your family vacation on Lake Garda begins as soon as you land at Verona Airport. About half an hour after you receive your rental car, Lake Garda will be revealed to you in all its glory.
Lake Garda is about 53 kilometers long and its circumference is 140 kilometers, providing varied and endless attractions for the entire family to enjoy at short driving distances.
Planning a “Star Trip” is a breeze at Lake Garda by staying in one resort for the entire vacation and planning fun and exciting day trips to a different destination every single day.
Surround the enchanting lake and visit its picturesque towns, visit the abundance of family parks nearby such as Gardaland, Water Park, Movieland Park, Medieval Times Show including knights’ dinner, Nature Park, Safari Park and Adventure Park. Climb the amazing Dolomites surrounding Lake Garda to its north and west, climb challenging cable cars and enjoy the amazing views, the blossoming, and the abundance of water of the mesmerizing mountains. Spend a day in Venice, and in Verona and Mantua and other colorful Italian cities. As well as the Verona Falls, the enchanting Lake Tenno and wonderful Borgo. Don’t miss out on a large variety of shopping centers and outlets, colorful market days laden with quality Italian goods, and so much more!
In short, a dream active vacation "tailor-made" for Israeli families who like to be in constant motion – making it your vacation the best family vacation in Europe.
Recommended daily trips
Lake Garda - Highly recommended!
As we recommended before, it is advisable to go for a hike around Lake Garda the day after your arrival, it is important that you get to know the area closest to you, so you will find places that you would like revisit. Recommended towns and attractions to visit on your first day that are located on the eastern side of the lake like Lazise, Bardolino, Malcesine, cable car to Monte Baldo, Riva del Garda, Verona Falls and Lake Tenno. On the western side of the lake: Limone, Salo and Desenzano.
Venice, about 140 kilometers away from Lake Garda – Highly recommended!
There is no doubt that a visit to the famous Venice is a must on your holiday. A day where you can visit the famous St. Mark's Square, the Bell Tower, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, go on a gondola ride, explore the Venetian Lagoon and more. Important reminder: it is impossible to get to Venice by a private car (you must park in a designated parking lot), only by water taxi (Vaporetto). You should highly consider taking a train departing from the train station in Desenzano/Peschiera instead of taking your rental car.
Verona, about 35-40 kilometers from Lake Garda – Highly recommended!
Verona is one of the most amazing and romantic cities in Italy - the city of Romeo and Juliet. Verona has magnificent squares, charming streets with plenty of shopping options or just a leisurely stroll.
During the months of July-August you can enjoy an impressive and exciting opera performance in the arena of Verona, it is even recommended for those who are not avid opera fans. Dates and rates are updated on the official website of the arena.
Milano – Fashion capital of the world (120 kilometers), Podova (100 kilometers) and Mantova (45-50 kilometers), each worth a visit if
you have any time left on your vacation.
The Dolomites - Highly recommended!
It is recommended to spend at least one full day on the peaks of the wonderful Dolomites during your family vacation in Northern Italy. The Dolomites are famous for their lush valleys surrounded by greenery and water, picturesque towns and breathtaking landscapes and are therefore one of the most touristy areas in all of Italy.
The more attractive and extreme part of the Dolomites is located in the northeast of the area. Go north on the A22 motorway to the large city of Bolzano from where the recommended route begins, which includes Lake Carezza, the town of Canazei, the mountain pass Pordoi (2,239m) Including climbing the cable car to its summit (3152m), mountain pass Sella, Val Gardena, Urtijëi And back to the motorway for the descent back to the lake.
Another equally beautiful option is a tour of the northwest Dolomites, including Lake Idro, the Genoa Valley and the Nardis Waterfalls, the famous ski town of Madonna di Campiglio and Lake Tovel. The Dolomites are a highly recommended experience and an amazing addition to any family vacation!
Borghetto - Highly recommended!
A few minutes' drive from Sigurta Park and next to the Mincio River, this small and enchanting village is located, with its old medieval houses soaking up a relaxed and special atmosphere. It is recommended to arrive and walk around the village after visiting Sigurta Park - and it is especially recommended to arrive in the evening - when the village is well lit and the atmosphere is magical.
If you fancy a wonderful (and not cheap) meal you should do so at the beautiful restaurant Antica Locanda Mincio where you can eat inside a restaurant building or outside at the foot of the flowing river. Do not miss the flagship dish of the place Tortellini stuffed with pumpkin - Totellini di Zucca – your taste buds will thank you.
Parks in Garda Lake:
Gardaland – Castelnuovo Del-Garda
The largest and most fascinating amusement park in Italy (does not fall short of Disneyland Paris). Full day – a must!
Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium
Located next to Gardaland amusement park, featuring marine aquariums, live shows and animal feeding. Combination tickets can be purchased for both parks, which can be used either on the same day or the next day.
CanevaWorld Resort – amusement park complex
The complex, located in close proximity to Gardaland, features 3 fun and fascinating attractions:
Aqua Park – a large water park, Movieland – movieland, and Medieval Times – Knight shows including dinner – a great family experience.
Full day - recommended!
A combination daily ticket to the water park and movie city can be purchased.
Parco Giardino Sigurta – a beautiful nature park
The “Temple of Nature Park” is a spacious (500 dunam) park that you can travel by foot, a small train, bike or the most recommended way in a golf scooter. The park has a 7 km route, which includes spectacular hiking trails, huge lawns, a rare collection of plants, architectural structures, and designated corners for a family picnic. Half day - recommended.
Parco Natura Viva – Safari park
A beautiful spacious park (240 dunams) divided into 3 main areas. Parco Safari - A 6 km travel route in your private car, an African safari where you can see up close a large selection of wildlife and winged animals, including lions, tigers, deer, giraffes, rhinos and so on. An amazing experience! Parco Faunistico - Spectacular and spacious zoo with a selection of animals of all kinds. There is a petting corner where young children can pet and come in contact with the animals. Highly recommended. Parco Dinosauri - A small area featuring sculptures and simulations of prehistoric animals and huge sculptures of dinosaurs of various kinds are displayed. Half day - recommended.
Cavour the waterpark - Valeggio sul Mincio
A large waterpark (200 dunam) with a lot of various attractions, located just 12 km from the lake and very close to Borghetto and Parco giardino sigurta. (recommend to combine with).
Park Jungle Adventure
An adventure park near Lake Garda, Located in the town of San Zeno di Montagna, on the east side of the lake, about 10 miles above the town of Garda. The park, which is suitable for children from the age of 8, contains three challenging routes marked in different colors: green, blue and red, and includes challenges of climbing ropes, crossing bridges, omegas at heights, etc.
Attractions and Amusement around the lake:
Monte Baldo - cable car
On the day you are touring around the lake, it is recommended to stop at Malcesine, which sits on a mountain spur at the foot of Monte Baldo, 1910 m high, on the northeast side of the lake. Every 30 minutes the cable car goes to the summit, a very exciting experience. At the top is a cafe and an amazing panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Why stand in long lines if you can buy tickets in advance? Buy tickets through us and get on the cable car immediately! Hours of operation from November 1st to April 2nd between 8:00-19:00.
A cruise around the walls of Sirmione
A refreshing experience of a fun 20-minute cruise on speedboats around the walls of Sirmione. The boat can accommodate about 10 people, a great addition to a family vacation in the magical Lake Garda.
Parco Grotta Cascata Varone
In the north of Lake Garda, about 3 kilometers north of the picturesque town of Riva del Garda, this nature park is located. The visit at the park is very interesting and lasts about an hour at most. A path leads from the lower waterfall to its upper part through stairs to a terrace that was built very close to the waterfall and allows visitors to view it in all its glory while enjoying a cold shower. The water for the waterfall comes from the enchanting nearby Lake Tenno, which you should definitely visit as well while you are in the area.
Lago Di Tenno
About 8 kilometers north of the waterfalls of Lake Garda, next to the winding road SP 37 that climbs to the Trentino region, lies the enchanting turquoise-painted Lake Tenno that looks like it was taken out of a fairy tale. From the parking lot at the top you can take the stairs to the lake to bathe in its cool water or walk around it. An ideal location for a picnic or midday rest.
Museo Nicolis – Car museum
Not far from Verona Airport, in the town of Villa Franca, this modern museum is located - where you can find a collection of a variety of old and new cars and other interesting items from the field of transport - the splendor of the Italian car industry.
The museum is open daily (except Monday) from 10:00 to 18:00
Parco Termale Del Garda
Located in the village of Cola, a short distance from the town of Pescaria in the southeast of the lake.
A spacious and flourishing park, featuring a huge lake in the center of it
covering 5000 square meters equipped with hydro massage, waterfalls and a Grotto which also has hydro massage and jet streams for body care, with water temperatures reaching a depth of 160m 37 degrees Celsius. Various treatments are provided on site. You can also find a number of beautiful villas, the most prominent of which is the beautiful Villa Dei Cedri, where you can find a bar and a self-service restaurant. The park is open all year round.
Aquardens Park
The new and most sophisticated thermal park on the lake, located about 10 km east of the beautiful town of Lezise. The complex includes plenty of hot and cold pools, some indoor and some out door in a green and open park as well as a hot water river that flows within the park, a huge attraction for children. The complex also offers a variety of restaurants, a cafe and a bar in the water. For an additional fee you can get various beauty and health treatments. The park is open every day until 22:00 and on weekends until midnight. Aquadens Park is a great activity for a rainy day, but is recommended on every other day as well.
Shopping centers near Lake Garda
Adigeo shopping center
For shopping enthusiasts (who isn't?) a new modern shopping center was opened in 2016, not far from the historic center of Verona, and just 500 m’ from the highway, with 130 stores - including well-known brands such as Primark, Replay, Zara, H&M, as well as other famous Italian fashion brands - many restaurants and a playground for children. The center offers free parking and it open 7 days a week from 09:00-21:00.
IL Leone Shopping Center
For shopping enthusiasts (who isn't?) a new shopping center was opened in 2008 with 180 stores - including well-known brands such as Benetton, Replay, Zara, H&M, as well as other famous Italian fashion brands - many restaurants and a playground for children. The highlight of the center - without a doubt, is the massive supermarket IPER LA GRANDE - a supermarket that is every buyers' dream where you can find anything from a shoelace to a Vespa. The mall is located about 4 kilometers from the town of Desenzano on the SS-567 in the direction of Castiglione.
Opening hours: Sunday/Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday – 9:00-22:00, Tuesday – 13:00-22:00
Market Days
Every day a wandering market day is held in a different village around the lake. The market is an experience of sights and smells, from Italian fashion clothing and footwear, through amazing housewares, toys and food stalls with an abundance of cheeses (parmesan), wines, pastas, etc. - all in great abundance and at "market" prices!
The days and towns that are recommended to visit (larger maket) on the different days are: Saturday - Salo, Tuesday - Desenzano and Thursday - Bardolino.
Hours of operation between 07:00-14:00.
An updated list of the markets‘ daily locations can be obtained at any hotel or holiday village you are vacationing in.
Franciacorta Outlet
A highly recommended outlet mall!
For shopping enthusiasts - about 40 kilometers from Lake Garda, just after the city of Brescia, there is a shopping center designed as a village with over 160 shops - including well-known brands offering items at up to 70% off regular stores. Stores such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Adidas, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Buccelli, Boogi Milano, Baldinini and more. In addition, famous Italian fashion stores, many restaurants and a playground for children.
To get there, take the A4 motorway west (Milan) after passing the city of Brescia you and exit at Ospitaletto, then follow the signs until you reach the complex.
Opening hours: every day of the week between 10:00-20:00
For your convenience, we have put together a recommended agenda for your 7-day vacation to Northern Italy:
Day 1 - After landing in the morning drive to Sirmione, the pearl of the lake, inhale the aromas of the lake, eat delicious gelato, consider a speedboat ride around the town walls and drive to your holiday village to settle down. In the evening you can go out and explore your immediate surroundings.
Day 2 - A full day around the lake including the cable car to the summit of Monte Baldo, Verona Falls and Lake Tenno.
Day 3 - Water Park, Movieland and Knights' Dinner.
Day 4 - Day trip to the Dolomites. It is recommended to hike along the higher and more attractive northeast side which includes Lake Carezza, Canazei, Pordoi mountain pass (or Marmolada) do not miss out on the cable car climbing, and to Val Gardena, Ortisei and back to the lake.
Day 5 - Gardaland Amusement Park.
Day 6 - A full day trip to Venice.
Day 7 - Borgetto (highly recommended), Sigurta Nature Park and back home.
The schedule and trips are subject to changes according to the day of the arrival, the weather, etc.
Have a wonderful vacation - Boun Viaggio!