Lake Garda

Despite the fact that Lago Maggiore's name implies bigness, it's actually Lake Garda that claims the title of Italy's largest lake. This huge lake sits in northeastern Italy, between Brescia and Verona, and – like all Italian lakes – is a popular holiday destination. Lake Garda is somewhat more popular with Italians and European vacationers than with non-Europeans, but you'll still find it plenty busy during warm weather.
You could certainly spend a holiday at Lake Garda enjoying the view, taking leisurely walks, and browsing through lakeside communities. If you're looking for a longer to-do list, however, there are plenty of options. You can go sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and windsurfing. You can explore medieval castles and archaeological sites. And you can release your inner child (or your actual children) with a visit to Italy's best-known theme park, Gardaland.

Practical Info

Although you can reach some of the larger cities around Lake Garda by train, it's easier to reach the more remote parts of the lake by car. On the southern part of the lake, Desenzano and Peschiera del Garda are your train station choices, and in the north the closest station is at Rovereto. Once at your lakeside home base, you can explore other parts of the area by boat, bus or car.