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When you come to Lake Garda you probably want to see it all. The mountains, the quaint little towns, the cute boutiques in the quaint little towns and the beautiful marinas. A boat hire in Lake Garda allows you to see all of that and more. Places like Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda or Limone Sul Garda feel like right outside of a dream. Visit Italy’s biggest lake to experience a fabulous holiday.
The best cheap eats in Lake Garda:
Best restaurants with a view in Lake Garda:
Fine dining in Lake Garda:
Lake Garda is surrounded by picturesque little towns full of history and historical sites. The Scaliger Castle of Malcesine dates back to Medieval times and is a popular tourist attraction. While the castle itself is already impressive, the mountain views you get to see from the top of the castle are even more impressive.
The Scaliger Castle of Sirmione is another magnificent castle dating back to the Middle Ages. It is actually one of the best preserved Medieval castles you can find. So interesting to see how the nobility used to live back in the day.
Lake Garda is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, but also with winds that make for optimal sailing conditions. The mornings are generally dominated by winds going north. This means that you could start sailing at sunrise and use the southern winds blowing north. There is definitely a reason why Lake Garda is the location of so many regattas throughout the year. You can definitely vacation here all year round, but the weather is certainly more pleasant in the summer. However, keep in mind that the summer months and the times when the big regattas are taking place, are also the busiest times of the year.
Lake Garda is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy. It becomes especially crowded during the summer months and prices to rent a boat in Lake Garda will increase during this time of the year.
You should choose the type of boat you want to rent in Lake Garda carefully, as this will determine what you can do while on your boat trip on Lake Garda. Sailboats are popular amongst international and local tourists alike as the wind conditions are ideal, but motorboats are just as good to rent in Navene or Moniga del Garda.
Pros of renting a motorboat in Lake Garda
Rent a motorboat in Lake Garda if you want to explore all the beautiful beaches and hidden bays Lake Garda has to offer. Motorboats have a shallow draft, making them perfect for exploring the area.
A motorboat rental in Lake Garda gives you the advantage of getting faster from one place to the other, making them the perfect boats to explore as many beaches and cities as you can visit in a short period of time.
Cons of renting a motorboat in Lake Garda
One of the downsides of a motorboat charter in Lake Garda is the fact that motorboats solely run on fuel. This makes them much more expensive than other types of boats. You might even be surprised by a hefty additional bill for all the extra fuel you’re using on your boat trip around the lake.
Charter a luxury yacht in Lake Garda if you want to go all out and enjoy all the amenities on board a yacht you can dream of. Most luxury yacht charters come with a full crew, including a captain who is taking care of navigating and operating your boat as well as staff that is going to take care of your every need. Stocked with basics like a fridge, freezer, stove and coffee maker, you will never go to bed hungry. You can store your food and prepare it on board.
Anyone who wants to rent a boat in Lake Garda and Italy in general needs to be in possession of a valid boat license. If you decide to charter a motorboat with less than 40 hp, you don’t need to carry a valid boat license.
Your EU boat license is automatically valid in Italy. If you come from outside of the EU, you might not be so lucky if your license doesn’t fulfill the requirements of an Italian boat license. Your safest bet would be the International Certificate of Competency or short ICC.
If you don’t have a boat license or simply don’t want to drive your boat in Lake Garda yourself, you can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat charter.
There are plenty of magical spots you should see on Lake Garda, so be sure to plan at least a few days for your trip here to ensure that you get to see everything you would like to see. You might not have to drive enormous distances to reach your next destination, but you will surely sail in one of the most beautiful territories in Northern Italy.
Day 1 - Sail from Moniga del Garda to Padenghe: Before heading to Padenghe, make sure you leave enough time to explore Moniga del Garda, a fabulous little town that has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture and nature. A combination you will find in a few different places around Lake Garda.
Day 2 - Sail from Padenghe to Desenzano del Garda: Padenghe Castle is one of the must visit historical sites when coming to this lovely town. The Medieval fort with a wonderful view over Lake Garda is a popular tourist attraction. Visit Pratello, a local and organic winery in Padenghe. Only about 5 kilometers or around 3 miles away lies Desenzano del Garda. Here you should take the time to relax at Spiaggia "Desenzanino", a beautiful beach near the town with very easy access to the water. Castello di Desenzano del Garda is another castle you should add to your bucket list when coming to Desenzano. The Medieval castle was built on a former Roman castle and is well preserved.
Day 3 - Sail from Desenzano del Garda to Sirmione: Visiting the Archaeological site of Grotte di Catullo is a must when coming to Sirmione. Walk between these ancient Roman ruins while enjoying the stunning lake views. Jamaica Beach on Lake Garda has gotten its name for a reason. You really won’t feel like on a lake in Italy, but more like somewhere in the Caribbean. This unique stretch of sand, surrounded by the most beautiful nature will make all your holiday dreams come true. If you prefer to do something a little bit more relaxing, head over to the Aquaria Thermal SPA.
Day 4 - Sail from Sirmione to Lazise: Plan a relaxing day at a natural spa called Parco Termale del Garda in Lazise. This wellness center offers you natural swimming pools and lakes surrounded by beautiful trees. If you want to do something a little more fun, head over to Movieland Studios. This amusement park makes for a fun day trip that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Day 5 - Sail from Lazise to Bardolino: Only 30 kilometers away from Verona, the famous town of Romeo & Juliet, Bardolino is a very popular destination on Lake Garda. The town is probably best known for its delicious wines and oils, so make sure you buy something in one of the little shops to bring the taste of your holiday back home. Take a walk at Lungolago di Bardolino during sunset to enjoy the beautiful sea views and the stunning views of the town.
Day 6 - Sail from Bardolino to Torri del Benaco: About 130 km away from Venice, Torri del Benaco is a stunning little town on Lake Garda that will charm you with its stunning lake views and the old port. Visit Scaligero Castle, an important landmark and interesting historical site in the town. The historical part of Torri del Benaco won’t disappoint you either. The cute narrow streets that are filled with restaurants and little shops will probably make you feel like traveling back in time.Make sure to plan some time to visit Torri del Benaco’s clock tower which dates as far back as the 13th century.
Day 7 - Sail from Torri del Benaco to Maderno and back to Moniga del Garda: The time has come to sail back to where it all started, to Moniga del Garda. If you haven’t already done so, visit the Avanzi winery and Frantoio to end your boat holiday on Lake Garda on a sweet note. There is also a weekly market taking place every Monday, so make sure to stop by if you’re in Moniga del Garda on that day.
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