Italian Lakes holidays - travel guide - lifestyle

Shopping

Weekly markets can be found in all the resorts around Lake Garda with one in Garda on Friday, Limone on Tuesday and Malcesine on Saturday. A market is held in Riva del Garda every other Wednesday. Verona has a range of stores including many selling designer labels. A new shopping centre can be found just outside the town of Rovereto (about 20 minutes drive from Riva del Garda) and an evening market is held in Torri Del Benaco with a great atmosphere. Good buys include olive oil, local wines such as Valpolicella, leather goods and citrus spirits.

Cuisine

Each region around the lake has individual specialities. In Trentino you'll find cold meats with rocket and parmesan, bread and spinach gnocchi, game and rabbit with polenta and pear or apple desserts. In Lombardy risottos are famous, particularly with wild mushroom. This region is also a large cheese-making area with parmesan and mascarpone being the best known. In Veneto risottos are again popular but with more seafood variations. Pork dishes are served and the famous Tiramisu originates from here. This area is the most famous for its wine production with Bardolino, Soave and Valpolicella being the well-known reds and Prosecco, a sparkling white, is popular. All lake-side resorts feature pizzerias and gelaterias (ice-cream parlours) are plentiful. For a wider menu head for a 'ristorante' where meat and fish dishes are served.

Night-life

Night-life is more low-key, generally focusing on a meal followed by a stroll or a drink in a local bar. A few livelier bars and a disco can be found in Torbole. A music festival takes place in Arco (near Riva del Garda) in June and firework displays around the lake are common throughout the summer (about once a month). Weekly festivities, such as wine tasting, are held in Limone and ferragusto takes place on 15th August when gala meals and fireworks are common place.