The promises of Italy

The Brenner Pass is already far behind, and with every kilometre down into Trentino, the promises of Italy manifest themselves – the vegetation changes, orchards and vines dominate the plains, the light is perceived more intensely and provides more warmth, the colours seem more vibrant and Mediterranean scents fill the air – unless you happen to be stuck in a traffic jam from Sterzing onwards with thousands of other drivers. For many travellers from the north, the first glimpse of Lake Garda, dramatically nestled between mountain massifs, opens up with the little town of Torbole from the winding descent from Rovereto to Nago via the state road. Goethe already followed this route on his first Italian journey, paving the way for numerous other educational travellers. Today, the north of Lake Garda with Riva is almost a suburb of Munich, at least judging by the number of number plates at weekends. Nevertheless, the beauty of the moment remains untouched and timeless in the face of the impressive scenery of mountains, the lake and the many towns worth seeing on the shore. In Torbole, you have to decide whether to follow the eastern shore road (Gardesana Orientale) to Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Garda or Lazise, or to head via Riva along the western road (Gardesana Occidentale) through spectacular curves, tunnels and rock galleries, breathtakingly high above the lake towards Limone and Toscolano.

More pictures of Lake Garda in the Italy Gallery