I flew 2 hours to Verona and headed straight to Sirmione, the transfer time was 35 minutes.
I was quite surprised to see that the landscape was quite flat. There were lots of vineyards and it is the area of Italy that produces Prosecco. You can book tours of the vineyards which are very close to Lake Garda.
Sirmione is a car free zone so on arrival we had to walk across the drawbridge with our cases to enter and it really is like going into Disney’s version of Italy.
We stayed at Hotel Sirmione, a 4 star property, it’s right by the castle and ferry so it is a great position to explore the area . As with all the hotels on Lake Garda they are all small boutique style with a homely feel and family run. The restaurant was on a beautiful terrace with a full menu of choice for half-board guests and consists of 4 courses so it’s not a quick eat and go, the Italians like to enjoy a long, relaxed evening eating. There is also a terrace for sitting and watching the sunset over the lake. A thermal spa pool with a treatment area was also available
I would definitely recommend the hotel, especially a Lakeview room.
Olivi Thermae 4 star
This was my favourite. More upmarket and contemporary, I spoke to a guest who said it’s his 6th visit and he was booking to stay again. It doesn’t have a lake front but it’s got a beautiful pool playing chill music, great gardens to sit under the trees, a short walk to the town and near to the beach (which is rocks and pebble but still a beach) a peaceful position with a spa, good restaurant with its own resident dog
Hotel Catullo
Full of clients who have stayed repeatedly, run by a brother and sister, the nonna gets up at 4 to make breakfasts , little bar, very quirky with a retro 50’s Italy feel ,it was lovely with its resident dog and cat . Located right in the centre of the town on the lake. The only downside for me was that it had a bathing terrace but you had to go down the ladder into the lake as no pool
Sirmione is a very pretty town with bars and restaurants and Lake Garda isn’t expensive like many people think. A Spritz ( Aperol Hugo or Limoncello) or a Beer is around 5€ meals around 14€ , loads of gelato shops around 2€ .
Tip for beach, take beach shoes as stony
We had a private boat to Desenzano . There is a train station with trains to Verona and Venice (1.5 hrs) It is quite a big town with a weekly market, lots of shops etc.
Hotel Piccola Vela 4 star is located just off the main road so easy to walk into town. It was very refined and had a relaxing feel. It had 2 pools, a lovely peaceful garden one, overly smelling plants and another larger one at the front , terrace from the restaurant , sunbeds all had cushions and you could have free flip flops.
Recommend for couples or families with teenage kids looking for a relaxed holiday and wanting to explore the area
Garda
Boasts a long promenade along the front with bars and restaurants and you can walk or cycle all the way to Bardolino.
In total my short week in Lake Garda whet my appetite for a longer visit and much more time to explore all that is on offer. It is delightful, picturesque and has something for all holidaymakers and I think is often overlooked in the UK as a great holiday choice in Italy. I shall certainly be heading back to explore some more.
