Romatic Travel? Discovering Lake Garda
January 15th, 2010 | 
Author: Romatic Travel? Discovering Lake Garda
The beautiful lakeside towns around Lake Garda Lago di Garda have charmed foreign visitors for centuries starting with its first visitor and enthusiast Wolfgang Goethe who visited it in 1786.Lake Garda In Italian “Lago di Garda” or “Benaco” is the largest lake in Italy 370 km. It is located in the NorthEast of the peninsula about halfway between Venice and Milan and divides the regions of Lombardy Veneto and Trentino AltoAdige. It is in an alpine area and was formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age.
The Latin name of the lake Benco is of IndoEuropean origin perhaps meaning strongly penetrated and it was surely already present at the moment of the roman conquest; the current name instead derives from the homonymous city Garda that lies 32 km from Verona and during the Middle Ages was the greatest exchange and trading center. The shape is typical of a moraine valley: it is probable in fact that this portion of the lake was created through the action of a Paleolithic glacier. The river Sarca is the main affluent among 25 tributaries while the only outlet of the lake is the river Mincio.
Lake Garda measures 516 km in length while the maximum width is 172 km. Its perimeter measures 1584 km and the maximum depth is 346 m. It is situated at the slopes of the Southern Retiche Alps between the chain of Mount Baldo to the East and the Alps to the West from Riva to Sal. Long and slim the Southern section of the lake embraced by the gentle slopes of the Riviera of Olives looks decidedly Mediterranean whilst just a few kilometers North where Monte Baldo rises it completely changes character and turns into a narrow fjord. Rocks and steep cliffs surmounted by castles and ancient churches steeped in history stand guard over suggestive and graceful little ports.
Tourists are offered all kinds of trips on and around the lake and throughout the surrounding territory: cultural trips nature walks sporting activities and sightseeing. In order to fully appreciate the lake’s beauty it is possible to leave your car and take a trip on one of Navigarda ferries preferably choosing the slower itineraries which include almost all the ports on the Veronese shoreline where you can take spectacular snapshots of the scenery. Once you’ve reached Malcesine it is advisable to catch the cablecar the new Malcesine Tratto Spino rotating cable car and from a height of 1760 metres you have a unique and breathtaking view of the lake.
The lakes flora and the fauna are inextricably linked to Mount Baldo the “Garden of Europe”. The mountain side features one of the most diverse natural habitats in the world concentrated in a relatively small area: olive groves along the typically “Mediterranean” section of the lake evergreen ilexes and oaktrees; further up the slope you’ll find ashtrees and chestnutstrees whilst at a height of 1700m you’ll discover lilies rhododendron’s and a spectacular range of wildflowers of great botanic interest. Nonetheless the undisputed “King” of the natural environment along the shores of the lake is the olivetree: olivetrees have been cultivated here since Roman times and the areas oilmaking industry was given an extraordinary impetus by the monks of the medieval abbeys of San Zeno and Santa Maria in Organo. Also cultivated all over the Veronese hills stretching from the lake to the Valpolicella area right up to the valleys of Mezzane Illsai and Tregnago the regions oil has a deep greenishgold colour due to its high chlorophyll content a delicate scent which leaves a fresh grassy aftertaste along with a slightly bitter lemony taste on the tongue. It is ideal with any kind of food although it is best served uncooked: just a small amount enhances the flavour of any dish. Its characteristics remain intact when it is heated at high temperatures which makes it also perfect for frying.
What makes Garda oil unique is that it comes from groves situated on the world’s northernmost latitude. The lake’s geographical location and “microclimate” protect the olives from typical parasites and diseases which afflict olive trees in warmer climates.
About the writer: webmaster photographer climber author of reportage from Africa South America and Italy
Related posts:
Posted in Travel
