September is a great time to visit Lago di Garda--thanks Gaby, Gunter and Gerda for letting us share your vacation at the lake! While there were still lots of tourists, it was about half the crowd they get in July and August according to the locals. The weather was perfect, warm (25-28 degrees) but not too hot. We had a small studio apartment with a great view of the lake from our balcony, a pool with an adjacent bar, and a tiny rocky beach right across the street, a great bargain at only 65 euros a night!
We stayed in Torri del Benaco (Benaco is another name for Lago di Garda), a charming small town, packed with restaurants, bars, buskers, and lounge acts, and even joined in with a group of Dutch tourists singing an Elvis tune. It was strange to hear more German and Dutch than Italian, and to be addressed in German by the hotel and restaurant staff. We got a great response when we answered in Italian, however, and even scored some perks (like a reduced price on a recommended wine at the local store).
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typical windowboxes (above)
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| at dinner our first night in Torri |
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Gabi relaxing by the pool with a
cappucino--AFTER 11 am!!! |
We toured the lake by car, checking out different towns and scenery which is quite different at the north and south ends of the lake.
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| windsurfers at the north end of the lake |
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| Tom admires the view from the panoramic parking lot |
A ferry trip to Sirmione was one of the highlights, although unfortunately I failed to check the schedule to see if the castle was open--it wasn't. However, we saw the outside of the castle and walked all through the town for an afternoon, stopping for cold beverages as needed, of course.
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Gunter waves to his public (left)
'art installation' on beach at Sirmione (above) |
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Apertivi time!
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| Views of the castle at Sirmioine |
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| Remains of what is believed to be a house and baths owned by Catullus (above) |
We also visited a market in a nearby town one morning, where they were selling everything from ducks, turkeys, and chicken, to salami, to clothing. Gabi wanted to buy a duck and set it free on the lake but the duck sellers had gone by the time we got back to their stand.
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Entry to market left
Gabi demonstrates how to eat calamari (above) |
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| sunset from the ferry |
After enjoying Lago di Garda we headed back to Chioggia, our first home in Italy, to visit our friend Franca and got a bonus surprise as her daughter Luisa was also there. They posed for pictures on the beach after a delicious fish lunch.
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| Franca and Luisa |
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| Tom and Susie |
Back to Arezzo to stay for awhile, until we head to Seattle for the holiday season and a visit with Kelly. October will be spent in an intensive Italian course here in Arezzo as we are rapidly forgetting what little grammar we managed to learn in Perugia. Ci vediamo in Settembre!
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