Unmissable Towns and Cities in Lake Garda and Beyond
Here
are some of the most interesting towns you can see as part of Just You’s eight-day
Lake Garda, Verona and the Hidden Gems of the Veneto tour.
Gardone
You’ll have plenty of time to explore
Gardone at your leisure, and given its status as one of the most attractive
towns on Lake Garda, there’s plenty to see and do here. Situated on the west
shore of Lake Garda, a good place to start is along the promenade, where
welcoming cafes invite you to stop, enjoy an Italian coffee and sit and watch
the world go by.
That said, it’s not just about the coffee culture here. Perhaps the most famous
place of interest is Vittoriale degli Italiani, the residence of famous poet,
Gabriele D’Annunzio, from 1912 to 1938. At this hillside estate, you’ll find
many picturesque gardens, an open air theatre, plus a library and museum of the
celebrated literary icon. It’s also offers a fantastic birds eye view point to
catch glimpses of the glistening lake below.
Photo: Lake Garda
Vicenza
The Palladian architecture of Vicenza is a real sight to behold. The compact city was once surrounded by 13th-century walls, and most famous as the home of the 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio and his successor Vincenzo Scamozzi. Together they enriched Vicenza with many notable structures including the Basilica and the Olympic Theatre, and as you discover each new building, it’s easy to see why the city is recognized with UNESCO world heritage status.
Elsewhere, you’ll find many museums, art
galleries, piazzas, villas and churches – plenty to keep you occupied in this
cosmopolitan city.
Photo: Vicenza Villa
Bassano del Grappa
This idyllic tour also includes a visit to Bassano del Grappa, a town most noted for its World War I history and locally produced liquor and ceramics.The famous Italian liquor grappa is produced here; it is a strong brandy made from grapes which are left over from winemaking. A popular digestivo on a cold winter’s night, at up to 120 US Proof /60% Volume, ‘warming’ it certainly is!
Bassano rests at the point where the
Veneto plains meet the hills leading to the Alps, and as a result you’ll notice
an interesting mix of architectural styles, where Veneto-ensue arcaded streets
and piazzas rub shoulders with Austrian alpine style wooden balconies.
The most iconic view here is of the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The covered wooden bridge spans the Brenta River, and was also designed by Palladio. Constructed from wood to cope with the melted snow which rushes down from the mountains, the bridge has had to be rebuilt on more than one occasion, including once after the Second World War when it was reconstructed by the Alpini (Italian Alpine Troops). All over the town and particularly in souvenir shops here you’ll spot the Alpini’s insignia, such is the respect for the military troops – in fact there is even a museum and shrines dedicated to them in the town.
Photo: Bassano Del Grappa
Marostica
The delightful piazza and two castles (one
is clearly not enough!) are high on the list of things to see in Marostica, a
small town snuggled between the Veneto plain on one side and green hills on the
other. The medieval town is also famous for its delicious cherries, so if
they’re in season, it’s a very good reason to sample some and decide for
yourself just how flavoursome they are. In fact, you’ll find the popular local
cherry cake served in plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area.
Now for something a little bit quirky. The town also holds a live medieval chess event in the Piazza del Castello, and according to legend it has been played since 1454, during the second weekend of September every two years. And while your tour may not coincide with it, you can still have fun with the group playing human chess on the board which takes pride of place here!
Photo: Juliet's Balcony
Verona
The beautiful city of Verona completes
your adventures around this delightful region of Italy. We’ll pay a visit to
the iconic Juliet’s Balcony, a celebration of Shakespeare’s star-crossed
lovers. It’s not just Romeo and Juliet that formed the backdrop to
Shakespeare’s creations, The Two Gentleman of Verona was also set here, but
it’s not known if the playwright ever visited Italy. Nonetheless, it’s lured
many visitors here to celebrate his iconic works.
As the largest city in northeastern Italy,
Verona is popular for its artistic heritage, with a number of annual fairs and
shows, as well as opera performances which are part of its diverse events
calendar.
With a magnificent arena and other Roman monuments and medieval landmarks, Verona was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. As you tour the city, it’s like taking a walk back through time, and you’ll easily fall under the spell of this magical place – a fitting end to your tour of the Veneto.
Photo: Verona
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