Getting ready for a boat trip around the Sirmione peninsula on Lake Garda. The boats depart from the small harbour by the impressive 13th-century water castle of the Veronese Scaliger dynasty, which guards the entrance to the old town. This castle complex, along with the fortresses of Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Lazise, and Verona, is among the region’s most distinctive buildings. The best times for a tour through Sirmione, one of Lake Garda’s most visited spots, are early morning before the tourist coaches arrive, and of course in the evening, when dinner in one of the many restaurants with lake views and old town charm is highly recommended.

More pictures from Lake Garda and Italy can be found in the Italy Gallery.