Travel Budget for Lake Garda

Lake Garda On a Budget

As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.

Activities

As Lake Garda is such an expansive body of water, its beaches each attain their own identifiable character, from golden sands to rocky shores. While most of the natural beaches of Lake Garda are quite pebbly, there are still some prize-winning shores to be found. One of the most popular beaches of Lake Garda in Lazise Beach located on the coast south of Lazise. With sandy shores, many areas of the beach are owned by Camping Spiaggia d'Oro and require small fees to gain access. However, there are many parts of the beach that are free admission, though it can get quite crowded during the months from June to August. However, if you want your slice of paradise to be a little less crowded, it may not be a bad idea to venture to Spiaggia Baia del Vento located near San Felice del Benaco. With sand as equally soft as Lazise Beach and minimal crowds, Spiaggia works as a great beach for those that want some tranquility as they sunbathe or swim. Canoes and pedal boats can be rented on the beach, and there is a pizzeria nearby called Baia del Vento, which has reasonably priced food. Soak up the sun at Lake Garda!

Also, if you want to get away from the lake and beaches, get your thrills and chills at Gardaland! Gardaland opened in July 1975 and continues to be the heart of entertainment for many north-eastern Italians as well as general tourists, attracting about three million visitors each year. Though adjacent to Lake Garda, Gardaland does not face this gorgeous lake. However, with so much to do within the park, you will find you hardly notice! Gardaland is a complex of an amusement park, resorts and restaurants, and marine park. With so much to do and Gardaland expanding to an area of 445 meters squared, you will be sure to get your exercise. Ranked fifth in the top ten amusement parks of in the world according to Forbes Magazine and in 2011, the eighth popular amusement park in Europe, Gardaland has a wide variety of attractions, including Mammut, Jungle Rapids, Fuga Da Atlantide, Blue Tornado, Ramses: Il Risveglio, Raptor, and Oblivion: The Black Hole. Tickets for the amusement park run around €25, while tickets for the marine park run about €15. However, be sure to check out Garland's website as they have many different deals you can take advantage of during the seasons. Let your heart race at Gardaland!

Transportation

The best prices for buses and trains in Italy can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.

If you are looking to get around the many metropolises that surround Lake Garda but do not wish to burden yourself with car rental companies, these cities can easily be reached by bus. Certain cities, like Venice or Milan, use specific travel agencies like regional ATV or Arriva, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. There are also lake ferries found throughout the towns that border on the shores of Lake Garda. Each ferry company's number of services depend on the season, with lesser numbers during the spring and autumn months. From historic paddle steamers to hydrofoils, the prices vary depending on what part of lake you wish to go to with the south of lake being €23.40, the north of lake being €20.50, and the whole of lake being €34.30. Many towns acquire a lakeside path that allows you the opportunity to combine walking with a ferry trip. Have a marvelous time at Lake Garda!


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