“Riviera degli Olivi” is the name of the east side of the lake: 50 km of beautiful and varied countryside due to a succession of coves and small bays, villages and castles embedded in an environment characterised by the consistent presence of olive trees and other Mediterranean plants. In the north, Mount Baldo, a genuine “garden of Europe”, dominates the lake and forms a natural boundary, in the south, where the morainic hills give it the shape of an amphitheatre, the lake broadens to resemble a sea: the areas enjoys a particularly mild climate and it steeped in ancient tradition. In addition to its historic, cultural and culinary attractions the northern part of the Olive Riviera offers sailing facilities as well as facilities for newer sports, such as mountain-biking and paragliding.
Mount Baldo offers a spectacular view of the small townships and villages of the northern part of the lake: Malcesine with its Scaliger Castle on the lake shore, the historic centre with its narrow cobbled streets and the Palazzo Capitani (a mansion in Venetian style). Continuing south come to Cassone, a small village on the Aril, the shortest river in the world (172 m). In quick succession follow: the Borough of Brenzone and its outlying villages such as Assenza with the Palazzo of the Spolverini Family and the small 13th century church, Porto, Magugnano with the parish church of San Zeno (12th century) and others scattered around the countryside, such as Sommavilla, Pozzo, Borago, Castello, Zignano. Further south these is Pai and Torri del Benaco with its Scaliger castle, then you come past some stone engravings until Punta San Vigilio, where the lake basin broadens. Beyond this enchanting point, known as Baia delle Sirene (Siren Bay), the famous Rocca (a rock-face) resides over the Gulf of Garda. From Garda and its historic centre with its Renaissance “palazzi” (Fregoso, Dei Capitani, Carlotti), villas (villa and park of the Albertini Family) and the cloister of the parish church of Santa Maria, you climb up towards Costermano (a German military cemetery, Villa Becelli, villa and park of the Pellegrini family in Castion, the 15th century Madonna del Soccorso in Marciaga) with its elegant and noble villas (Nichesola, Bevilacqua, Beccherle) and its medieval nuclei Vilmezzano, Braga, Pradonega and Carrara in Pesina. Passing through Castion you continue your climb to San Zeno di Montagna with its breathtaking view at 600m above the lake, from there you move on the villages of Prada (ski-lift station) and Lumini; from Caprino you continue towards Spiazzi (Madonna della Corona) and following the road you come to Graziani in Ferrara del Monte Baldo at 856m above the lake(the highest situated and inhabited village of Mount Baldo). Continuing in this direction you come to a botanical garden in Malga Novezzi and from there, continuing on foot, you can reach the highest peaks of Mount Baldo. From this vantage point you can enjoy a magnificent view of the southern part of the lake; beyond the Rocca di Garda, Bardolino, famous for its wine, is visible. Continuing south along the lake shore of Lazise with its Scaliger castle, its Veneto Customs and Excise House and its small Romanesque church of S. Nicolò. Then you come to Peschiera, the most southern point of the Olive Riviera, a township of pre-historic origins with impressive fortified bastions and a historic mansion. Amazing are here the amusement parks as Gardaland in Peschiera del Garda, the first waterpark in Italy "Canevaworld", other Water park Picoverde and Cavour in CUstoza e Valeggio and the zoological Park “Natura viva” in Pastrengo.
Not to loose, the botanical garden "Parco Giardino Sigurtà" in Valeggio sul Mincio, a wonderful fusion of a park, or wooded area of tall trees, and a garden, as a bounded space with flower beds and ornamental plants.
|
