Tag: daytrips

A 4-day getaway to Lake Garda

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It has been a scorching hot summer and just like last year in August; we decided to escape the city heat and spend a few days around Lake Garda.

We wanted to keep this trip relaxed, spending the day by the lake and visiting nearby towns. We based ourselves in Peschiera del Garda and visited the beautiful towns of Lazise, Torri del Benaco and Malcesine. There are so many gorgeous towns around the lake. Have a look at my previous Lake Garda blog post to discover more.

This is what we got up to in Lake Garda!

1. Peschiera del Garda

Get ready to be swept away by the sheer beauty of Peschiera del Garda! Nestled along the southern shores of Lake Garda, we thought this would be the perfect place to base ourselves for our trip. Picture-perfect streets adorned with vibrant flowers and pastel-coloured houses that create a whimsical atmosphere. The crown jewel of the town is its 16th-century fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which stands as a testament to its rich history.

1.1 getting there

We drove but you can get the train from Milano Centrale. You can get a one-way ticket for approx. 12 euros with Trenord which takes around 1 hour and 32 minutes or 23-27 euros with Italo or Frecciarossa which takes just under an hour. You can get your tickets from the station or online via Trainline.

2. Lazise

Lazise is the oldest municipality in Italy and is surrounded by the Scaliger walls (open 24h) which are incredibly well preserved; you can walk along them for free, and it takes around an hour to complete the tour. Overlooking the lake and port is the castle of Lazise which is now a private residence.

Every Wednesday morning until around noon, there’s a local market where you can buy local products such as wine, cheese and olive oil. If you’re around, don’t miss it.

Something that I love about Lake Garda is the amount of cycle paths there are. I think it’s a great way to visit towns whilst enjoying the lake. The cycle path that connects Lazise – Bardolino – Garda, is about 13 km (8 miles). There are kiosks along the way in case you want to buy food or a drink or you can pack your own and enjoy a picnic at one of the small pebble beaches.

If you’re staying in Lazise and want to do a day trip, you can get the ferry boat to Sirmione which is an incredibly beautiful place with a castle and gardens filled with flowers and a little beach area where you can swim in crystal clear water.

2.1 Getting there

From Peschiera del Garda it’s a 20-minute drive. If you’re taking public transport, jump on the 164 bus towards Garda at Peschiera Stazione Ferroviaria and get off at Lazise. You can also get the ferry, just make sure to check the timetables in advance.

3. Torri del Benaco

We stopped here by chance and what a great little town. As it was Ferragosto, there were live bands playing in the streets and lots of little stalls selling jewellery, art and other handmade items, it was wonderful.

Monumento al’Alpino

3.1 Getting there

Torri del Benaco is just 10 minutes on the bus from Garda and 20 minutes on the ferry. From Lazise to Torri del Benaco it’s 44 minutes on the ferry as it stops in Garda first.

4. Malcesine

Malcesine is a beautiful town with a castle, Castello Scaligero (6€ – open Monday to Friday 09:30 – 18:30) that offers spectacular views of the lake. The cobbled streets and colourful houses of Malcesine reminded me of Bellagio but less crowded. It’s a great place to spend the day. If it gets too warm you can sit at one of the cafes or at a gelateria and enjoy a bit of people watching whilst you cool down.

Another great activity for when it’s not too hot is to cycle along the north-eastern cycle path of Lake Garda. The path is around 40km long, round trip. It is completely flat and suitable for everyone. From south to north it passes through 10 villages, all located in the province of Verona: Castelletto di Brenzone, Marniga, Magugnano, Porto di Brenzone, Assenza di Brenzone, Cassone, Val di Sogno, Malcesine, Campagnola, Navene.

We had dinner at a restaurant called Garden, right on the lake. If you ever find yourself here, order the grilled octopus with caramelised onions, tarali and mashed potato; it was delicious. We saw the most amazing sunset just before the darkest clouds swooped in and the skies roared with thunder and lightning.

From Malcesine, you can get the boat to Riva, Limone and many other towns around the lake.

4.1 Getting there

The drive to Malcesine from Peshiera del Garda took us around an hour. If you’re taking the bus, you can get the bus to Bardolino (visit the town, get some Bardolino wine) and then get the bus from there to Malcesine.

Thank you for reading! For more ideas of places to visit, have a look at my previous posts.

buy me a cup of tea

Bellano, Lake Como

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Bellano, Lake Como

Bellano is a charming little town located on the eastern shore of Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Known for its beautiful scenery, historic landmarks, and lively cultural events, Bellano is a popular destination for travellers seeking an authentic Italian experience.


One of the town’s main attractions is the Orrido di Bellano, a natural gorge carved by the Pioverna river over centuries. Visitors can explore the gorge on a suspended walkway and admire the rushing waterfalls and towering cliffs.

Tickets are 5.00€ per person.


Another must-see attraction in Bellano is the Chiesa di Santa Maria, a beautiful 12th-century church with a stunning rose window and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The church also offers spectacular views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains.


For outdoor enthusiasts, Bellano offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and water sports. The town’s waterfront promenade is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, while the lake provides a picturesque backdrop for kayaking, swimming, and windsurfing.



In the summer, Bellano hosts several cultural events, including music festivals, art exhibitions, and food and wine tastings. These events showcase the town’s rich history and traditions and provide a wonderful opportunity to experience Italian culture firsthand.



Bellano is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Bellano is definitely worth a visit.

Have a wonderful day!

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Lago di Garda

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The most beautiful towns around Lake Garda. Part 1

Hello from Lake Garda!

This post will be focussing on the West coast of Lake Garda and there will be a “part 2” all about the East coast.

It was Ferragosto here in Italy on the 15th of August, which meant we had a 4 day weekend and the chance to get away from the heat in Monza.

Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated on the 15th of August in all of Italy. It originates from Feriae Augusti, the festival of emperor Augustus, who made the 1st of August a day of rest after weeks of hard work in the agricultural sector.

We found a nice B&B (Al Marinaio) in a town called Bogliaco in Gargnano on the west coast of Lake Garda. I loved staying in Bogliaco. It’s close enough to the main tourist spots Limone Sul Garda, Gardone Riviera and Riva del Garda without being affected by the hoards of tourists that descend upon the lake during the summer holidays. It’s very relaxed and still feels quite authentic.

We travelled to Lake Garda by motorbike from Monza and it took around an hour and 40 minutes stopping along the way for breakfast. More or less the same if you travel by car.

The closest airports to Lake Garda are: 

  • Verona Catullo (VRN)
  • Milan Bergamo (BGY)
  • Milan Linate (LIN)
  • Venice (VCE)
  • Milan Malpensa (MXP)

Lake Garda is well connected to all the main cities in Northern Italy: it is just over an hour from Milan and Venice, and about half an hour from Verona, Brescia and Trento.

Where to go

  1. Sirmione
  2. Desenzano del Garda
  3. Salò
  4. Gardone Riviera
  5. Gargnano
  6. Limone sul Garda
  7. Riva del Garda

Sirmione

Sirmione is beautiful and looks like a movie set. The highlight of the city, which actually, is also considered the symbol of Sirmione is the Scaligero Castle. A beautiful fortification built after the middle of the fourteenth century on the waters of the lake by the Veronese Della Scala family, from whom it takes its name “Rocca Scaligera”.

The legend of the ghost

According to an ancient local legend, the castle was home to the young aristocratic couple, Ebengardo and his beloved wife Arice.

On a stormy night, the knight Elaberto del Feltrino asked for asylum and was immediately captivated by Arice’s beauty. Determined to have her at all costs, Elaberto went in search of her and attacked her. Arice fought with all her might but Elaberto killed her. At that moment, Ebengardo arrived and, at the sight of his dead wife, drew his weapon and avenged her.

Since then it is said that the ghost of Ebengardo wanders through the rooms of the castle in search of Arice.

Desenzano del Garda

Another beautiful town south of the lake is Desenzano; which is always quite busy, especially in summer but worth visiting. Locals flock to its shores for a day of sunbathing and water sports. If you enjoy stand-up paddle (SUP) this is a great place to do it. The town centre reminds me a little of Venice with its canal and beautiful buildings.

Salò

On our way to Gargnano, we stopped for a quick break in Salò where we stumbled upon an enormous market that had everything you can think of. I was so distracted by everything I didn’t take a single photo of it! Going to a market when you don’t have any luggage space or space on the bike is a dangerous thing, but of course, we made it work. We had to!

Salò is a beautiful town to explore, we didn’t spend much time here as we were only passing through but it’s definitely worth seeing.

Gardone Riviera

On the western shore of Lake Garda, you’ll find Gardone Riviera. The main highlights of the town are the Giardino Botanico Fondazione André Heller which is a botanical garden maintained by artist André Heller and the Vittoriale degli Italiani which is the former residence of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.

The Heller Garden, also known as the Giardino Botanico A. Hruska, is such an incredible place to explore and relax. The garden has over 500 species of plants and trees as well as some really interesting sculptures by artists such as Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein.

Heller Garden
Vittoriale degli Italiani
Vittoriale degli Italiani
Heller Garden

Gargnano

This is where we stayed during our trip to Lake Garda and it was perfect. Mornings were spent sunbathing by the lake which was just a 2-minute walk from our B&B, whilst afternoons and evenings were spent exploring the nearby towns and Villas. As I mentioned earlier, the town we stayed in is called Bogliaco which is in the comune of Gargnano. It’s very small and peaceful but perfect in terms of location.

Villa Bettoni
Villa Bettoni

Limone sul Garda

Limone sul Garda is the northernmost town on the Brescia side of Lake Garda. The town is nestled in the mountains and a curious fact about its name is that Limone (lit. lemon) does not derive from the cultivation of lemons, but from the Latin limen, or border; this was, in fact, the city on the border with the territory of Trento. It’s by pure coincidence that, centuries later, lemons have become one of the main businesses of the area. 

View from San Rocco church
Limonaia del Castel
View from the church of San Rocco

Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda is on the northern shore of Lake Garda and is very popular with windsurfers due to the strong winds around this area. We arrived just as the sun was setting and it was beautiful. The pastel-coloured hotels from the 60s were very Wes Anderson-esque and the plaza was full of musicians and artists. It felt really special. If you want a birds-eye view of the town you can take the panoramic lift up to the Venetian Bastion. The trip up to the Bastion takes about 3 minutes and a single ticket costs 6€ and return 7€ per person.

Getting around

The best way to see Lake Garda is by hiring a scooter. It will be a lot easier and cheaper to find parking and you’ll be able to navigate all those colourful narrow Italian roads which I love so much. During the summer it can become very busy on the road so a scooter is a great way to escape the summer traffic.

There is of course the option of using public transport however it’s not always as reliable.

Travel tips

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be walking a lot and places like Limone sul Garda are not made for heels.

Make sure to stay hydrated. Summer can get very hot.

Take a little spray bottle to fill up with water so you can mist your face and body to help you cool down. Also helps to take a fan.

Thank you

If you visit Lake Garda tell me what your favourite place to visit was. I can’t wait to explore the rest.

Hope this post has been useful for you. If it has, please give it a like. Thank you very much for reading.

See you soon!

Two days in Florence

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Two days in Florence

Welcome to Florence! A city full of charm, romance, art and beautiful architecture. And let’s not forget those amazing sunsets.

When I first visited Florence 4 years ago, I remember thinking it was like an open-air museum, with sculptures and beautiful frescoes in the most unexpected places. I loved it then and I love it even more now. Florence is relatively small compared to other main cities in Italy, making it a great place to add to your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, and it can be easily reached by train from major cities. Everything is within walking distance and you can see all the main sites in a day.

When is the best time to visit Florence?

The best time to visit is early spring or autumn. Summer is unbearably hot and packed with tourists.

You’ll be able to find great deals during off-peak seasons and the weather will be much nicer so you’ll be able to enjoy the city without having to hide from the sun and it will be quieter.

Getting to Florence

We took a direct train from Milan to Santa Maria Novella station in Florence which took just under 2 hours on the fast train. We always prefer spending a little more to get direct trains rather than having to change and risk missing the next train which has happened to me quite a few times as trains are often delayed here in Italy.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Once in Florence, our first stop was the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella; a beautiful 15th-century Dominican church with famous frescoes by artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and Vasari (just to name a few).

Visiting hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturdays from 09:30 am to 5:30 pm. Fridays from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. Sundays from 1:00 pm to 5:30

Tickets cost €7.50 per person. For more info on reduced and free tickets check the link below.

Make sure to double-check the website as times may vary in spring and winter.

Basilica Santa Maria Novella

Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

From the basilica, it’s about a 2-minute walk to the Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Its roots can be traced back to 1221. In that year, Dominican friars founded the convent of Santa Maria Novella and began to cultivate – among other things – a garden. From that same garden, many centuries of experience in pharmacopoeia and natural preparations started to develop. And in later years that experience would expand to include the worlds of cosmetics, fragrances and wellness products.

The store is incredibly beautiful and worth visiting so don’t miss it!

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

Just around the corner from where we were staying was the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Il Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)

The entrance to the cathedral is free, however, the queues in summer are insanely long so be prepared to wait. If you don’t have a lot of time, I would skip going in. Make sure to check the official website for ticket information if you want to visit the Dome, Bell tower and Baptistery, museum and Santa Reparata.

Ticket information
Giotto’s bell tower

To reach the top you will have to climb up 414 steps, so make sure you’re ready! There’s no lift access.

As advised by the official website for the Cathedral, “The climb is strongly NOT recommended for people with cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, vertigos, claustrophobia, and pregnant women”.

Look at those details! isn’t it gorgeous?
The Baptistery of St. John

Uffizi Gallery

If you have more than a day to visit Florence make sure to visit the Uffizi Gallery. This is where you’ll find the famous ‘Birth of Venus painting’. It’s incredible, not to mention how amazing the statues are on the exterior of the building.

It is one of the most celebrated art museums in all of Italy. Make sure to set aside 2 to 3 hours to visit the museum and book your tickets in advance. You’ll want to get to the museum just before it opens to avoid queuing.

The Uffizi Gallery’s opening hours are 8:15 AM to 06:50 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.

Ticket information

Ponte Vecchio

Probably the most recognizable bridge in all of Italy. Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge across the Arno river in Florence until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345. It was the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II.

Butchers, tanners, and farmers initially occupied the shops that you see on the bridge; the present tenants are jewellers, art dealers, and souvenir sellers.

Something that you might not notice at first whilst wandering around Florence is that there is a corridor that connects the Uffizi Gallery to Palazzo Pitti.

When the Medici family moved from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, they decided they needed a connecting route from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the Arno that would enable them to keep out of contact with the people they ruled. The result was the Corridoio Vasariano, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari and which runs above the little goldsmiths’ shops on the Ponte Vecchio.

Vasariano corridor above the shops

Piazza della Signoria: Palazzo Vecchio – Loggia dei Lanzi

Piazza della Signoria is the main square of Florence and is where you’ll find the Palazzo Vecchio and a replica of Michelangelo’s famous David statue. The original statue can be found at the Accademia Gallery.

Replica of Michelangelo’s David
Accademia ticket information

General Timings: Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 6:45 PM. Prior bookings are required for weekend visits.

Piazza della Signoria – Fountain on Neptune

Piazza della Signoria is the liveliest part of Florence and the day we visited, there was a small concert taking place in the Loggia Dei Lanzi, free for everyone to enjoy. It was wonderful; kids danced whilst tourists and locals sat on the ground with their florentine schiacciata (similar to focaccia) sandwiches and enjoyed a cold beer after a long hot summer’s day.

Loggia dei Lanzi open concert
Loggia dei Lanzi

Basilica of Santa Croce

The basilica of Santa Croce is also known as the Pantheon of Florence. This is because the church contains many tombs and funerary monuments of famous Florentines. You’ll find the grave of political leader Niccolò Machiavelli, but also of scientist Galileo Galilei. In addition, a large number of artists and architects are buried here, including Michelangelo and Vasari. Dante has a funerary monument here but he is actually buried in Ravenna where he died in exile.

To visit the basilica make sure to wear appropriate clothing. Shoulders and knees must be covered, this applies to most religious sites in Italy so it’s always best to be prepared.

Ticket information & opening hours

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti

The palazzo is now the largest museum complex in Florence. This is also where you’ll find the beautiful Boboli gardens. I didn’t have time to visit Palazzo Pitti so will update this the next time I visit.

The Palace is divided into four museums: the Treasury of the Grand Dukes on the ground floor, the Palatine Gallery and the Imperial and Royal Apartments on the first floor, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion on the second floor.

For information on tickets and opening hours click the link below.

Palazzo Pitti information

Piazzale Michelangelo

Beautiful views of the city, the only downside is the number of tourists that flock to the top to watch the sun setting. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds you can also watch the sunset from the Rose Garden which isn’t far from Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s also a little bar and seating area for you to enjoy a drink and relax.

View from Piazzale Michelangelo
View from the Rose Garden

Mercato Nuovo: Fontana del Porcellino

The famous Fontana del Porcellino can be found in the New Market. This bronze statue is supposed to grant wishes to those who place a coin in the boar’s mouth and let it drop, if the coin falls through the grate at the bottom, your wish will come true. Good luck!

Fontana del Porcellino
Mercato Nuovo

Where to eat:

Mercato Centrale

If you’re not quite sure what you fancy eating and want to try a few different things, Mercato Centrale is a great option and has something for everyone.

Galleria Iginio Massari

Opposite the hotel we stayed in was Galleria Iginio Massari, a cafè that had been on my list of places to try for quite some time. The interior design is beautiful and even though I didn’t think Iginio Massari’s famous maritozzo was incredible, the other cakes I tried were really nice. It was also nice to escape the midday sun!

If you’ve never tried it, a Maritozzo is a brioche cut open and filled with whipped cream. Very typical of Rome. Iginio Massari prepares his with whipped cream and crema pasticcera which is custard.

Iginio Massari famous Maritozzo

Trattoria Za’ Za’

For amazing food and a chance to try the famous Florentine steak head to Trattoria Za’ Za’ which is on Piazza del Mercato Centrale. You won’t be disappointed.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Where we stayed

We stayed at the Strozzi Palace hotel which is in a fantastic location just a few minutes away from the cathedral and the Strozzi Palace as well as Piazza della Repubblica. Have a look at the image below. The rooms were very spacious and I loved the decor.

If you’d like to have a look at the hotel click on the link below.

Strozzi Palace Hotel

Get lost in the city

Around every corner, there’s something beautiful waiting to be discovered. Don’t forget to wander!

Chiesa e Museo di Orsanmichele
Piazza della Repubblica
Palazzo Strozzi
Gucci Garden

Hope you enjoyed this post! If you enjoyed it, give it a like or thumbs up. Thanks for reading! Until next time!

Parma

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Thinking about visiting Parma?

Home of Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese; Parma is a city that prides itself on its local produce.

Something that I learnt whilst researching Parma is that Parmigiano Reggiano can only be produced in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua (on the right bank of the Po river) and Bologna (on the left bank of the Reno river), in compliance with strict standards. Since 1996 the name Parmigiano Reggiano has been recognised in the European Union as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin).

And for all my fellow lactose intolerant friends, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free so feel free to go nuts!!

Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Parma is also home to the famous brand Barilla. In 1877, Pietro Barilla Senior opened a small bread and pasta shop in the heart of Parma which has grown into an international food group that exports its products to over 100 countries.

How to get to Parma

We took the train from Milano Lambrate direct to Parma and it cost 45€ for two adult return tickets. It was so easy and only took an hour and 30 minutes to get there. Once we arrived in Parma it was a 15-minute walk to the centre.

As always, I bought the tickets using the Omio app. Sign up using my referral link and we’ll both get 10€ off towards our next booking! https://www.omio.com/refer-a-friend?ic=ampara7d3k7nhttps://www.omio.com/refer-a-friend?ic=ampara7d3k7n

Parma is a great city to explore on foot; if you start feeling tired take advantage of the many cafés and bars dotted around the city and enjoy a bit of people-watching.

What to see and do

Duomo di Parma

Also known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta; it is open every day from 10:00 until 18:00 and is free to visit and has the most beautiful interiors.

Baptistery

The Baptistery is open every day from 10:00 until 18:00 and tickets are €12 per person. I don’t know what it is about this building but I think it’s so pretty and it reminded me of the tower of Pisa.

Palazzo Pillota

Located between Piazzale della Pace and the Lungoparma in the historical centre of Parma; its name comes from the game of pelota played at one time by Spanish soldiers stationed in Parma. The museum is great and a nice place to escape the heat in the summer. We spent a couple of hours here and the theatre was our favourite thing. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 until 18:30.

Ducal Palace and Parco Ducale

Lunch

For lunch we went to Trattoria Corrieri which so many people had recommended and we ordered a plate of parma ham and other cured meats with gnocco fritto; which is like a puffed up pizza dough square. Absolutely delicious! We also ordered a cheese board; so good! And for our main dish the ravioli, which I found very bland so won’t be recommending. We were so full we skipped desert.

Streets of Parma

After visiting the main sites and having lunch, we went on a short walk around the city as we were so full and still had some time before our train back to Monza. It’s such a lovely city and we really enjoyed walking around without running into massive crowds of tourists.

My favourite photo!

If you enjoyed this, have a look at my previous posts and give them a like.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

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