TAKE A AUTUMN BREAK ON LAKE GARDA with WorldTop7

Summer is the ideal moment for a weekend break in the north of Italy, when its lovely countryside is colored and perfumed with flowers and the breeze refreshes the hot air. The lake shores are the ideal place to enjoy beautiful landscapes framed by luxuriant vegetation and historic buildings leaning on the waters: Lake Garda is the biggest Italian lake and the place to go to get whatever you want from your holiday in Italy.

Ideally located halfway between Milan and Venice (one hour and a half drive from both cities) it is easily accessible via airplane, as it is close to both the airports of Brescia and Verona, or by car as it is right on the Brennero Highway that connects to Austria and Germany. As a matter of fact, the eastern side of the lake, the Verona side, is home to many Germans, who decide to cross the Alps to spend their summer holiday on the calm and fresh waters of the lake and stroll through the villages of Desenzano, Sirmione, Lazise or Bardolino to enjoy the popular chic atmosphere. From here it is easy to reach Verona (30 minutes drive) or some of the surrounding villages for a cultural escape. The western side is in the Lombardia Region and it features a more stylish and trendy atmosphere, while preserving some important historical war sites and the impressive “Vittoriale” in Gardone Riviera, the huge villa where the Italian legendary writer Gabriele D’Annunzio lived and worked until his death. For a trendy drink with locals, just pop into one of the venues in Salo’, San Felice or Manerba del Garda.

The northern side of the lake offers a more rustic and mountain style atmosphere with some scenic natural attraction and it is the temple of wind! Torbole is an institution for windsurfers, who gather here throughout the year to challenge the winds.

World Top 7 gives you a hint of the best restaurants and stylish hotels on the Lake.

STYLISH  STAYS

ARCADIO

WorldTop 7 hot pick

ARCADIO is our preferred choice: on the hills overlooking the fantastic lake scenery, set in a 17^th century Monastery completely renewed, today it is a stylish design hotel.

The perfect location for a perfect romantic and trendy getaway, it is the choice of hip tourists, who get here to detach from the bustle of the lake shores and enjoy relaxing in the beautiful SPA.

Make sure you book well in advance, as the hotel has only 18 rooms, to give guests the privacy they look for while preserving a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

SELVA CAPUZZA

Rustic stay and food in the countryside

Head 4 kilometers away from the southern part of Lake Garda to the historic village of San Martino della Battaglia area, follow the signs and enjoy the drive through the enchanted countryside and vineyards to reach this absolutely precious jewel hidden in the morainic hills.

Pop there to detach from the touristic crowd of the lake shores villages for a delicious meal of local specialties made with the freshest ingredients from the territory washed by the self produced great wines: try the “Lugana Superiore”, simply superb.

You can also stay in one of the few apartments built in the old barn and in the other manor areas, furnished in a typical rustic style to respect the territory traditions, all of them with stunning views on the countryside.

LOCANDA SAN VIGILIO

Historic and exclusive palace on the lake

There are no other words to describe the LOCANDA SAN VIGILIO than the most magical and exclusive accommodation on the eastern side of the lake.

The resort is located on the San Vigilio point, a strip of land leaning on the water right after the village of Garda and has been welcoming guests for six hundred years! The ancient building is now completely refurnished and refurbishes, but it still preserves the enchanted ancient atmosphere in its baroque chic decorated rooms, either facing the lake or their own private garden of lemon trees.

The Locanda also features a restaurant overlooking the lake, the ideal place for romantic candle lit dinner or special business lunches, with delicacies made only with seasonal and fresh ingredients on the market.

The LOCANDA SAN VIGILIO’S style is so peculiar and iconic that in response to the request of guests, they have their own “emporio” (little shop) where it is possible to buy some souvenir from the resort.

RESTAURANTS

TEATRO ALBERTI

Show dining and live music

Desenzano is the place where the most lively night life scene takes place, with many stylish and transgressive bars and clubs and a trendy crowd strolling on the lake shore avenues.

If you want to have a trendy night out complete of a fancy dinner and a live show or live music, the TEATRO ALBERTI is the place to go.

Set in a real 18^th century theatre, it preserves the fashion of it, with its velvet curtains, the damask style seats and sofas cloths the baroque decorations all around and the soft lights.

Enjoy an aperitif at the stylish bar and taste some of the delicacies from the creative Mediterranean menu, or a good pizza in the Pizzeria while enjoying a live show or cabaret and close your night sipping a good cocktail while listening to the live bands.

KAPPERI

Young and trendy pizza place in Desenzano

Right in the historic center of Desenzano, KAPPERI is located in an enclosed private garden, with tables right on the garden, to enjoy the lake breeze, both indoor and outdoor areas feature a chic and trendy allure and a young and funny approach.

The menu proposes a mix of local specialties rearranged with innovative touches and fusion chef’s creations, as well as more than “30 kinds of pizza,” all made with high quality ingredients at surprisingly affordable prices.

LE FOCI DA RITA

Popular restaurant & local specialties

The restaurant is wide and ideal for families or friends parties, but even though they serve a huge amount of customers, quality never falls down.

Gorge in the mouthwatering restaurant specialties, the “carne salada” is a local typical dish and a must try: “Sliced meat marinated in salt”, you can choose it raw or cooked, both juicy and delicious, usually served with beans and pickled vegetables.

Prices are definitely reasonable.

TRATTORIA RIOLET ERNESTO

Rusitcal local uphill hangout

If you just want a place to relax from the stress of the crowded villages on the lake shores and want to experience the real local cuisine together with local people, the Trattoria Riolet Ernesto is the place for you.

With its familiar and laid back atmosphere, the restaurant welcomes you in its indoor and outdoor spaces, if you can manage to get a table overlooking the lake you’ll add a stunning view to a mouthwatering culinary experience.

The rustic menu features dishes for every taste, prepared by the family cooks, to be matched with the good “Vino della Casa” (the house wine) typically served in small glasses.

OSTERIA DELL’OROLOGIO

A plate of antipasti and a glass of good wine

The OSTERIA DELL’ORLOGIO is the meeting point of all trendy, local people in Salo’, where they usually gather for an “Aperivito”: the aperitif, a glass of prestigious wine to be tasted with some munchies, such as local cold cuts or cheeses. In this elegant, stylish and trendy venue you will also have the chance to taste some good dishes from the local tradition, but it’s in its sister restaurant the Antica Trattoria alle Rose that you will experience the finest lake cuisine, mainly featuring products from the lake shores, such as lake fishes and precious mushrooms. Don’t forget to taste some of the wine proposals from the refined wine list, many of them available to try by the glass.

LA DISPENSA DI SAN FELICE

Meat dinner in San Felice

Family run by father and son, this venue was not much more than a kiosk without kitchen in an alleyway in the village of San Felice, popular among locals for its offering of delicious cold cuts selections and the freshest raw seafood platters.

Recently the Dispensa has grown in a fully functioning restaurant with its own kitchen but preserving the same warm and laid back atmosphere. In the meanwhile the son mastered his cooking abilities and is now able to serve some of his innovative and creative dishes as well as the signature cold cuts and raw fishes.

The meat is a gorgeous new entry, coming from all over the world to best suit the different cooking styles, such as the “Fassona” from Piemonte for raw preparations and the legendary Japanese Wagyu for the grill.

LA DARSENA

Young & hip aperitivo crowd in Salo’

Right on the lake shores, the Darsena Shore Club and Restaurant it is the ideal place to enjoy water activities and lounging on the shores while sipping a good glass of wine.

When you are tanned and hungry just indulge in a good pizza or some local lake delicacy prepared by the chef.

But when the sun sets, get on your heels and join the trendy crowd for the “aperitivo” in the hippest bar of the Brescia side of the lake, the Darsena Tapas Bar. Lounge in the casual and trendy atmosphere tasting some of the best local and international wines together with some typical Spanish tapas