Malcesine Favorites

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Favorite thing: It matters not which direction you travel from Malcesine, you'll be enchanted by the scenery.

Fondest memory: We pushed on, taking a side trip to Lago di Calvedine which was nice but, I'd been in the area before and I assured Rosemarie that there was better ahead.
And so it transpired. Lago di Malveno was straight out of a photographic book. How could you not take a wonderful shot?
Might I humbly submit my effort. Hope you enjoy.

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Favorite thing: I hope no-one ever expects me turn up during "the season". No, I'm not into crowds, discos and decadence.

Fondest memory: You'll more likely find me there in early spring or autumn. Less crowds, no heat and the scenery goes from stunning to epic.
Thus it was that we went for a drive north and west of Malcesine. I had spotted some colour in the vines on the way in from Rovereto and it was like a magnet.
So the next day we headed out. The weather was, dare I say, picture perfect.
I could blab on, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Favorite thing: The second most important building in Malcesine is the fifteenth-century Palazzo dei Capitani, close to the harbour. This was the headquarters of the Venetian rulers of the area, the Capitani del Lago. It's grander than the town's other modest historical buildings, and although at the time of writing the building is closed for restoration, you can still wander through the entrance hallway and out to a very pretty lakeside garden. A lion of St. Mark painted on the wall is a fading reminder of the area's Venetian overlords.

Fondest memory: To the south of town a pleasant lakeside promenade meanders past hotels, cafes and potential bathing spots to a little headland which boasts a couple of 'beach' establishments without real beach but with neat waterside lawns where you can hire a sunbed and parasol and relax with splendid lake views. There are plenty more bathing opportunities on the other side of town, where tiny pebbly beaches fill up with swimmers and sunbathers in the summer.
The main road around Lake Garda can make strolling along an unpleasant ordeal; however in Malcesine this isn't a problem as there is a path for cyclists and pedestrians running between the road and lake for some distance in either direction. If the sun isn't too hot, explorers can continue to the south past the picturesque 'sunbathing headland' as far as Cassone, a pretty little village which claims to have the world's shortest river. It also has a pretty, tiny harbour and a waterfront cafe-restaurant. The walk between Malcesine and Cassone, which takes around an hour, passes through the romantically-named Val di Sogno (Valley of Dreams), a scattered collection of villas and hotels, with a watersports station and plenty of peace for sunbathers. Look out for the grand villa on the green headland with gardens you can glimpse and even a little private cablecar. The walk passes two of Lake Garda's five islands: Isola dell'Olivo and Isola del Sogno.

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Favorite thing: You will have to search and find this place because it is hidden, the entrance looks as a door to a residence building and if it is closed you can not tell that it is permitted to enter. The door leads to a small tunnel underneath a building and to a small garden with palms and with a small opening to the lake .. you can even put your feet in the water to cool down - check the pictures.

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Favorite thing: Malcesine has another ace down the sleeve and that is a nice castle up on a rock (really). Seems that this castle was built by the Scaglieri family from Verona, same family that built the castle in Sirmione, south of the same Garda Lake. Do visit the castle as it has to show some nice views of the lake.

Favorite thing: This was a nice souvenir shop, selling not the usual junk made in china but authentic forged iron things, nice useful things like flower vase holder, wine bottles holder, all kinds of supports and many other things you will find nice.

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Favorite thing: The streets of Malcesine are carefully restored using a two colour paved stones, gentle to walk on, winding and getting you around and up to the castle. Just take two hours and walk the routes, it is very peaceful and nice in Malcesine really.

Favorite thing: Yes, another favourite thing, you know I like animals, cats and ducks :) So it is nice to see colorful ducks on the lake - they know what they know because they stay around the restaurants on the pier so there have to be some leftovers taken by the wind or even thrown by the people.