Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino, Lazise
The eastern Riviera is characterized by Scaliger castles and medieval towers that rise on the water and is outlined by the Gardesana road along the lake, which offers an enchanting view at any time of year.
The Garda bay ends in Punta S. Vigilio and forms the Sirens' Bay, considered one of the most beautiful beaches. Going on its slopes, you reach the petroglyphs left by ancient seekers of minerals and shepherds. A short walk leads to an abandoned village, Campo, which has around Christmas a great charm thanks to the numerous and original cribs.
Malcesine
The "pearl of the lake", Malcesine is a maze of narrow streets that go up from the port, all around the crenellated castle. It is the town on lake Garda that has best preserved the medieval spirit. Its castle perched on a rocky outcrop stands impressive with its pentagonal tower and its museum proposes a sensory journey on the local flora and fauna. With the cable car you can get to 1800 meters high and enjoy a spectacular view on Monte Baldo accompanied by alpaca.
Torri del Benaco
Named after its many towers, only 4 of the medieval towers remain, three of which form the castle, where you can admire the first Italian museum dedicated to fishing in fresh water with a large variety of networks. Leaning against the castle we admire the only orangery for lemon trees on the east shore and the most romantic harbor with its rounded shape surrounded by olive trees and fishing boats. Most notable is the church with precious baroque altars, a beautiful and quiet rocky beach next to the park. The petroglyphs on the nearby slopes are worth a walk.
Garda
For its impregnable fortress on an elevated location Garda gave its name to the whole lake, previously called Benaco. Villa Albertini with battlements and towers gives an elegant appearance to the bay. The lakeside promenade is adorned with a graceful palace in the Venetian style and a double loggia. Not to be missed are the clock tower, the cloister of the main church, the monstrous plane trees, the museum of the frogs and the many ducks in the sun. The valley of the mills with different kinds of orchids is a nice trekking.
Bardolino
One of Italian towns with the highest standard of living, it links its fame to Bardolino wine and to the grape cure. Interesting are the wine museum that documents the tradition of viticulture and winemaking and the oil museum in which are exhibited grindstones and presses used in the past for pressing olives. Of the ancient fortress only a tower and a gate remain, but here are the oldest churches on lake Garda: S. Zeno with frescoes of the 9th century and S. Severo with frescoes of the 12th century.
Lazise
It is characterized by a long crenellated townwall of the 10th century and three medieval gates: Can Grande, S. Zeno and St. Mark. Lazise is considered the first independent town in Italy. To guard the port, tehr is an ancient church dedicateds to St. Nicholas and the Venetian customs with two arches. The castle, surrounded by a park, is private but with its high tower it gives a sensation of harmony and austerity. The beach is unusually with sea sand and the footpath along the lake has the rhythm of the waves and is underlined by age-old pines.
