Journeys and Adventures

The word, “agriturismo,” combines the Italian words for agriculture and tourism and represents a unique accommodation choice for anyone traveling to Italy.  An agriturismo is a large Italian farmhouse that has been converted into a vacation home—some are luxurious while some are more basic, some have swimming pools while others offer activities in the area, some serve food while others sell their own local products like olive oil, wine, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

   These rural retreats are a great choice for families—room rates are usually significantly less than in town (particularly if you stay for longer periods of time), there is privacy and peacefulness in the countryside, as mentioned, many agriturismos offer swimming pools, and many also offer playgrounds, bikes to rent, and other family-friendly activities.

   While agriturismos can be found all over Italy (the luxurious and serene Casa del Conte in Montereale Valcellina, near Pordenone in Northern Italy is an ideal vacation spot for anyone looking for a luxurious, but affordable in a unique hotel in Italy pictured above), to continue the series on Lake Garda, here are three agriturismo choices near Italy’s largest lake:

Agriturismo La Rocca: This unusual hotel is just a five-minute drive away from Bardolino, a quaint village known for its wine and food.  With an incredible view of the Italian countryside, Bardolino, and Lake Garda, this farmhouse also offers a swimming pool, mountain biking and hiking opportunities, and wine produced right there on the grounds.

Agriturismo Armea: Located within day-trip’s driving distance of Venice, Verona, Vicenza and other popular destinations in Northern Italy, this farmhouse is also located just 4 kilometers away from Sirmione, Lake Garda’s most popular city.  The agriturismo boasts food that is “really tied to the housewife’s tradition,” a swimming pool, and apartments with kitchenettes if desired—all at very reasonable prices.

Eden Marone: This agriturismo is located in Riva del Garda offers magnificent views and many activities for the adventure enthusiasts including bike tours (look for special deals that include time in the hotel and a mountain bike), windsurfing, horseback riding, and more.  An outdoor and indoor dining room with views of the lake serving local specialties makes this unique hotel an ideal retreat.

   There are more agriturismo choices in the Lake Garda area for anyone looking for an unusual and authentic hotel experience while visiting Lake Garda.

This post is part of Sunday’s Special Unique Accommodation Series, where an unsusual, special and unique accommodation choice is featured every Sunday. There are plenty of other choices when it comes to unique accommodations, so check out the Unique Accommodation Collection for more ideas. And come back next Sunday for a new hotel to add to your “someday” list!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is one of Germany’s most famous citizens—as a writer, he covered various genres including poetry, drama, and literature.  His most famous work, Faust (which follows a scholar who, through his thirst for knowledge, makes a deal with the devil), is considered “one of the greatest works of German literature.”  Goethe’s works have influenced philosophy, literature, and science.
   Goethe’s journey to Italy from 1786-1788 which began when he was 37 is said to have played a large role in the development of his philosophies.  He spent time in Venice, Rome, Padua, Vicenza, and, his favorite, Sicily: “To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.”
   The famous German writer chronicled his trip to Italy in Italian Journey: 1786-1788.  According to Amazon, the book is “a journal full of fascinating observations on art and history, and the plants, landscape and the character of the local people he encountered, this is also a moving account of the psychological crisis from which Goethe emerged newly inspired to write the great works of his mature years.”
   Reading Goethe’s Italian Journey is an ideal adventure for anyone interested in Italy.  The book is considered more “readable” than many of Goethe’s other works and leaves readers in awe of his brilliance and offers unique insight to Italy’s beauty.
   Goethe’s first introduction to Italy and the Italian way of life took place when he visited Lake Garda and spent time in Malcesine and Torbole.  In fact, in Italian Journey, Goethe shares an interesting story in which he was almost arrested for attempting to paint the castle in Malcesine.
   Some of those paintings of Malcesine’s castle are still on display in the Scaliger Castle and several hotels and resorts are named after the German writer.
   If you’re planning a trip to Lake Garda or anywhere else in Italy, Goethe’s travel book, Italian Journey, is a book to read.  There are plenty of other travel books about Italy in the Travel Books Collection.

This post is part of Friday’s Featured Travel Book series, where a travel book is featured every Friday. There are plenty of other choices when it comes to travel books, so check out the Travel Books collection for more ideas. And come back next Friday for a new book to add to your reading list!

The towns and villages that surround Lake Garda are the lake’s greatest attraction—some have narrow winding alleyways, some have sandy beaches, some have medieval castles.  They all have friendly people, delicious food (with fresh fish from the lake, of course), and serve as charming vacation spots for anyone visiting Northern Italy and Lake Garda.

   Here are some of the highlights:

Sirmione—Located on a peninsula, Sirmione is at the southern tip of Lake Garda and is one of the most popular vacation spots along the lake.  The town was also a popular spa destination with thermal springs for the Romans and some impressive Roman ruins, including an old villa, are still visible.  The Rocca Scaligera, a fortress that dates from the thirteenth century, is the main attraction in this town, but the town center with pedestrian-only walkways is full of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Malcesine—This delightful village located in the Northeast corner of the lake is also dominated by a medieval castle—the Castello Scaligeri.  But the imposing Montebaldo, 1750 meters above the lake, is also a popular tourist attraction; visitors can take a funivia (cable car) to the top.  Cobblestone alleys and small piazzas filled with cafes right on the lake make it an enjoyable spot.

Limone—As you may have guessed, this town in the Northwest corner of Lake Garda is known for its lemons.  (There will be more on their prize product—limoncino, a version of the more famous limoncello—on this blog in the next few days.)  Until the 1940s the town was only accessible from the lake or through the mountains.  Visitors can still reach the town by boats that run frequently from Malcesine and other Lake Garda destinations.

Bardolino—Many know of Bardolino as a mild red Italian wine.  Of course, the grapes are grown and harvested in this region and this small town is clearly knows its wine.  Enotecas (Italian wine shops and restaurants that allow visitors to affordably taste wines) are available throughout the town.  A small sandy beach (not available in most of the Lake Garda towns), picturesque pale buildings, and two older churche (one dates back to the 8th century!) are a draw, but the town isn’t quite as popular as some of the other Lake Garda cities–which is very nice during the crowded summer months.

   Lake Garda offers many other small quaint villages to explore—some are more touristy than others, but you’re sure to enjoy yourself.  Many of the villages are close together, so you may decide to use one as a home-base and visit the other towns on day trips or spend some time in each town—depending on your travel style.  Check back over the next few days for more on things to do in the area.

Photos of Malcesine and Limone by Jennifer L Price, map from about.com

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