Rocca Scaligera, Sirmione
Pretty villages
Lake Garda, the largest and cleanest of the Italian lakes, is stunning, with picturesque lakeside villages dotted around the shoreline. A good place to start is Gardone Riviera on the western shore; once the playground of the rich and famous it's the most fashionable of Garda's resorts. Take a stroll along its peaceful lakeside promenade, lined with opulent villas and flowerbeds that bloom in spring. Further along the west coast is Gargnano, an impossibly pretty village of lemon trees and olive groves where, in 1912, DH Lawrence was inspired to write Twilight in Italy.
Sirmione on the southern shore is a must too, with its narrow medieval streets that speak to another age. The town's most striking feature is its moated castle, the Rocca Scaligera. For a quiet, unspoilt gem, head to Torri del Benaco on the eastern shore, an atmospheric one-street village.
Must-see attractions
No trip to Lake Garda is complete without a visit to Il Vittoriale, the former home of Mussolini's favourite poet, Gabriele D'Annunzio. The lavish villa stands in Gardone and makes for a fascinating visit. D'Annunzio was an eccentric fellow and an obsessive collector, and each room is filled with the treasures he accumulated throughout his lifetime, from books to bizarre sculptures. The grounds, terraced above the glittering lake, are grand too, containing an open-air theatre and a mausoleum.
If it's stunning gardens that you're after, don't miss the luscious Giardino Botanico Hruska, Garda's most exotic botanical gardens. Located also in Gardone, the gardens are laid out among cliffs and streams and burst with colour come springtime. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts should head to the old moated caste in Riva del Garda, which contains a modest collection of local art.
Stunning scenery
Take the cablecar from Malcesine to the 1800m-high peaks of Monte Baldo - the rotating cabins offer breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Garda, Po Valley and the Dolomites. At the top you can follow gentle tracks through meadows abundant with wild flowers, walk across pastures among old stone shepherds' huts or ascend the main ridge to over 2000m, all the while taking in that sweeping vista. There's also a walk along the Tratto Spino, an easy, flat walk to a panoramic viewpoint.
Another amazing scene can be found just north of the town Riva del Garda. Here you'll find the spectacular Varone waterfall. It drops from a height of 87 metres to gush through a gully carved by its waters over the course of 20,000 years, forming a spectacular gorge. Gangways, bridges and steps allow you to admire the waterfall from closer up.
Fine dining
It's no secret that the Italians love their food, which is why it's no surprise that there are so many fine restaurants dotted around Lake Garda. One of the most elegant is Al Volt, located behind the port of Riva del Garda. Housed in a converted 15th century palace, it serves traditional cuisine - the skewered whitefish with Nosiola wine is highly recommended. For something a little cosier try Ristorante La Stalla, near II Vittoriale. Set in a garden ringed with cypresses trees on a hill, it's popular with local families and you can expect a range of international dishes, such as seafood risotto or crêpes.
If it is a romantic dinner for two you're looking for, the gorgeous Villa Fiordaliso boasts an intimate Michelin-starred first-floor restaurant (Mussolini was a regular guest with his mistresses). It serves exquisite dishes such as terrine of eel and salmon and meats grilled over a fire.