Lake Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes, with an area of 143 square miles. It is 34 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 1,135 feet. It is located in the Alpine region of Northern Italy that so captured the hearts of authors such as Ernest Hemingway, whose novel "A Farewell to Arms" was partly set around nearby Lake Maggiore. Lake Garda is the most popular of the Lombardy lakes with tourists thanks to the multitude of towns on its banks. The tourist industry forms a major slice of the area's economy and there are many hotels and guesthouses.
Choose when to go. The Lake Garda area has a temperate climate, which means that almost any time of year is fine for a trip. The summers are warm but not insufferably so and the winters tend to be mild and dry. TripAdvisor advises against traveling in springtime however, because it is the rainy season and it lives up to its name.
Select where you want to stay. Choosing a venue for your trip depends greatly upon what you wish to do there. Lake Garda is surrounded by small towns, all packed with hotels and perfect for a summertime trip to the lake. Towns such as Arco, Gargnano and Torri del Benaco boast outstanding proximity to the lake itself, as well as a wide range of hotels. For those who prefer a winter skiing vacation, the Altopiano di Asiago offers a popular ski resort, with top-quality accommodations in nearby Asiago.
Decide how much you want to spend on your trip. There are many travel hostels available in the area for a vacation on a budget. These begin at as little as 9 euros per night and are often ideally situated for views of, and access to, the lake and surrounding area. Hostelworld.com lists 19 hostels in the vicinity of Lake Garda, which can prove to be the difference between experiencing the beautiful surroundings on limited funds and missing out. Details of how to book these hostels are included in Resources.
Explore opportunities to camp. Camping enthusiasts will enjoy Peschiera Del Garda with its natural surroundings and long pebble beach. For those who prefer not to give up their home comforts entirely, the campground also offers camper and mobile home rental for between 237 and 1,049 euros per week. This option allows you to travel around the area at will.
Look into vacation apartments. The Peschiera Del Garda area offers rental units in a secure apartment complex close to shops, restaurants and the beach. Information on how to book accommodations in these locations is included in Resources. Rental apartments and homes are also available in nearby Visgnola and Desenzano Del Garda.
Book your accommodations. Once you have selected suitable accommodations, you can generally book online. See Resources for a link to a hotel booking site. It has selected listings for recommended hotels beside Lake Garda and allows you to book accommodations directly. For accommodations in the resort of Asiago, inquire online or over the telephone.
