‘I visited an idyllic Italian town that’s a refreshing break from its famous neighbour’

If you’re itching for a holiday in a warm, sunny and relaxing location that also offers plenty to see and do, Lake Garda in Italy is hard to beat. As the largest lake in the country, this stunning area in the north of the Mediterranean hotspot has long been a favourite among tourists seeking to experience the Italian lifestyle – even if only for a week or two. The lake is conveniently accessible by train if you land in a larger city like Milan or Verona. However, with the lake covering 370 square kilometres, you might be curious about the best lakeside town to base yourself in. Following a recent trip where several towns were visited, one certainly stood out. We spent just under a week in Peschiera del Garda, a charming resort town at the southern end of the lake. This location came highly recommended by others who had stayed there, and it was easy to understand why. First of all, the scenery took your breath away. The first thing you see when coming into the town is the lake itself stretching out almost impossibly far, before flowing into a stunning canal topped with a historic fortress that dates back to the Roman times. Flowers lined the railings of each bridge that crossed over the water, and the views from here were made even more spectacular at sunset. The town itself was packed full of delectable Italian restaurants, bars, cafes, gelaterias and wine shops, as well as plenty of supermarkets where you could pick up food and any other essentials that you needed. Despite it being the height of summer, the town didn’t feel too crowded, and we were easily able to get a table at every place we decided to eat. And we certainly took full advantage of the amazing cuisine that was on offer. Pasta and pizza were consumed multiple times each day, one of the highlights being Pasta Salame, a small eatery tucked away from the busier main area that served up delicious fresh pasta with a huge array of different sauces. Naturally, no Italian meal would be complete without a tiramisu to round it off, and the one served here was exceptional. One of the waiters had even crafted his own limoncello – a process that takes weeks – and after sampling some, it was evident that the effort was well worth it. Beyond dining and drinking, there’s a wealth of activities in Peschiera del Garda and the surrounding areas that are sure to appeal to all ages. If you’re a theme park enthusiast, you’ll want to visit Gardaland, home to the largest rollercoaster in Europe. We opted to spend a day at Caneva, the local water park, which proved to be the ideal break from a week of indulgence and culture. Dubbed ‘the Caribbean island on Lake Garda’, it offers a plethora of activities and several dining options, including a fantastic Mexican restaurant serving nachos and margaritas. A brief car ride away lies the picturesque lakeside town of Lasize, where we spent a few hours before heading to the Le Ginestre vineyard for some wine tasting. At this location, you have the chance to sample six exquisite wines paired with bread, meats and cheeses, while a knowledgeable guide provides the backstory of each bottle. An adorable cat named Barolo even joined us at the table, and a small donkey grazing in a nearby field was more than happy to pose for photos. One of the advantages of Peschiera del Garda is its accessibility to other lake towns by boat. We chose to visit Sirmione, another popular holiday spot in the area, one day. However, despite its beauty, it was teeming with tourists, making it challenging to find a peaceful spot to eat and drink. So if you’re after a more tranquil destination on the lake, Peschiera del Garda is definitely worth considering.