This boat trip takes one entire day, with a 55 minute break in
Riva del Garda, just enough for a quick lunch. With the low season there is only
one run of the boat, and the service is suspended during some months, so check the most recent schedule before going. In autumn (2006) there is a run that
leaves Peschiera at 9:10 AM and returns back arriving in Peschiera at 6:45 PM.
You will pass the entire day on the boat.
You can easily reach Peschiera del Garda from Milan in about one hour
and half train ride, on the Trenitalia state railway company, along the Venice line.
Of course you can also reach Peschiera, with a Car,
there is an autostrada that runs from Milan to Venice (A4),
and there is an exit at Peschiera.
Peschiera del Garda
Situated in the strategic point in which the Mincio flows from
Lake Garda, Peschera has been important military garrison in various centuries.
Already inhabited during the prehistoric era, it was called Arlica under the
ancient Romans, it was fortified during the Middle Ages and then militarized by
the Venetians in the mid 16th century with walls and rock based on plans by
Gudobaldo da Urbino and Sammicheli.
In the end the Austrians made it a headquarters for the famous
"quadrilateral" with Verona, Mantova and Lagnano. Today it is a popular tourist
resort and industrial center.
Its historical nucleus is still enclosed within 16th walls
reinforced by four ramparts at the corners. Of interest is the Palazzina del
Comando del Presidio, where a meeting was held the day after of the defeat of Caporetto.
Today it displays relics of the "Risorgimento" era and of
World War I. At a brief distance, between the morainic eleveations surrounding
the Frassino lake west of Peschiera, stands the 16th century Santuario della
Madonna del Frassino. The stretch of territory which extends from this town to
the Sirmione peninsula is called "Lugana and it is famous for its wine. Here the
Lake's fleet took shelter in the navy yard of port Peschiera.
Departing from the pier "Unita' d'Italia", the boat re-ascends
the basin along the eastern shore, covered with vineyards and olive trees, and
passes the small town of Pacengo with 18th century Camuzzoni Villas, the 19th
century Villa Bottonay (now Barbaro).
In less than thirty minutes, the boat brings you to Lazise
where you can take in a beautiful view of the Lake with Rocca di Manerba an the
left and the Sirmione peninsula to the left.
Glancing inland you will see Peschiera and the Mantuan
ramification. In Lazise, the ancient Lastium, there is a castle, reinforced by
the Scaligeri in the 11th century, subsequently noblemen from Verona enclosed it
into a strategic and military outpost.
While agriculture and breeding made Lazise an active business
center, the town has also discovered its tourist "calling". The historic center
has preserved its medieval appearance thanks to the Scaligere walls, which lead
to the castle, and the five towers dominated by a high donjon.
Other worthwhile visits are the 12th century Church of San
Nicolo' with its 16th century bell tower near the small port, and the low, long
16th century Dogana (Customs) building which dates back to Venetian rule.
Just beyond Lazise, you pass the villa "La Pergolana" a 19th
century edifice which incorporates an ancient convent. Then you will pass Cisano
where you can admire the full width of the Lake as well as the 8th century
parish of Santa Maria - seat of the Annual Bird Fair (September the 8th).
After doubling at Punta Mirabello, you land in Bardolino. A
business center and tourist resort, it is renowned for its esteemed namesake
wine. It has been a prehistoric site, a Roman village and during the Middle
Ages, a Scaligero protectorate.
From this era two gates and an ancient crenellated tower of
the old Lakeshore castle remain. There are two important monuments: the 9th
century Church of San Zeno, which is among the most prominent Italian edifices
from the Carolingian Era; and the 10th century Church of San Severo, restored in
Romanesque style in the 12th century, that houses 13th and 14th century
frescoes.
On the vast inlet of Bardolino face the parks of the villa
Giuliani-Sanfilippi and the villa of Bottagisio, both from the last century.
Garda
A brief ten minutes ride brings you to Garda, the charming
resort town situated in the center of a gulf enclosed by the slopes of Mount
Baldo and the morainic elevations.
Already inhabited during prehistoric times (proof of which may
be found in the necropolis and the rock engravings found along the path leading
to Torri del Benaco), it became an important center for the Romans, the
Longobardo and the French.
A story is tied to the no longer existing "Rocca" (rock):
Berengario II, Marquis of Ivrea, supposedly held prisoner the Queen Adelaide,
widow of King Lotario, guilty of having refused the marriage proposal of
Berengario's son. She was eventually able to escape and take refuge in Canossa.
In the ancient core of Garda there is a medieval village
facing the three lined Lakeshore with the English-style park of Villa Albertini
at the end. This is one of Lake Garda's largest complexes, and despite various
transformations over the course of time, it has still preserved the look of a
medieval castle with four crenellated towers.
It was here on the 10th of June, 1848, that Carlo Alberto
received the act of annexation of Lombardia and Piedmont. A walkable distance
from Garda is the Eremo dei Camaldolesi (Camaldolesi Heritage) just near the
famous "Rocca".
Photo © 
Peschiera del Garda - Photo© 
Bardolino - Photo © 