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The Romans were first to see the potential of the Italian lakes as a holiday destination. They built their sumptuous villas in some of the prime positions around Garda, where the southern foothills of the Alps sweep down towards the Mediterranean and the fertile plains of northern Italy, forming some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.

Modern tourism has transformed the towns, but the lakes, mountains and views are as beautiful as they were 2,000 years ago, and the villages, Baroque gardens and lakeside hotels are still wonderful places to enjoy a holiday, especially during the long, warm autumn.

The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda’s topography varies dramatically. In the south, it is fringed by rolling hills, while the northern shore is characterised by sheer cliffs with villages clinging on to the rock faces. Located on a long promontory at the bottom of the lake is Sirmione, a pretty spa town surrounded by ancient castle walls.

The western shore is home to the old Venetian town of Salò, with its pleasant waterfront promenade, while farther north is Gardone Riviera, home to Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, the former house of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. The tranquil town of Gargnano lies farther north, while pretty Limone sul Garda, the last lakeside town in Lombardy, sits along a narrow road that runs along the side of jagged cliffs. It is famous for its lemon cultivation; the Limonaia del Castèl, a lemon garden and museum, provides an insight. 

Situated beneath sheer cliffs on the lake’s northern shore, Riva del Garda has a quiet pedestrianised quarter, while two miles (3km) north is Cascata Grotta Varone, a gorge and waterfall. The northern shore is a major hub for watersports, including windsurfing, sailing, canyoning and ice climbing. 

The main attraction of Malcesine on the lake’s eastern shore is the 13th-century Castello Scaligero, where Goethe was briefly imprisoned in 1786. Farther south lies Torri del Benaco, one of the lake’s most beautiful villages, surrounded by remnants of 10th-century walls, while the resort of Bardolino is the home of the red wine.