The fascination of the Lake
Enclosed within two chains of mountains, in an enchanting valley of quite superlative beauty, Lake Garda always offers a spectacular surprise. It is thanks to this stunning beauty that it has been celebrated since time immemorial, and its intense blue waters still manage to captivate visitors from every corner of the globe.

In the days of the Grand Tour, Lake Garda was a sine qua non for aristocrats and artists, and in the 19th century it became an essential place of pilgrimage: Dürer was among the first to make his way there, soon followed by Nietzsche, Rilke, the Mann brothers, Kafka and – last but by no means least – the great Goethe, who wrote enthusiastically about it being "a wonder of nature, an enchanting spectacle".

Thanks to the mitigating influence of the lake, the climate is unusually mild and temperate for this latitude – hence the abundance of lush, aromatic vegetation.

Torbole is a small town situated on the slopes of Mount Baldo, where the houses are arranged like an amphitheatre around the gulf, with long narrow streets that recall those of Venice. The most picturesque part of Torbole is the harbour, which is located very close to the hotel. The harbour looks today very much as it did in centuries past, when it was abuzz with fishermen and boatmen.

Summer activities
Summer on Lake Garda is a glorious, technicolour extravaganza, awash with Mediterranean aromas. The air is filled with a plethora of different languages, as people of different cultures mingle together, all drawn here by the splendour of the place and by the high-profile sporting competitions held throughout this period of the year. In short, summer on Lake Garda is all about life, action, movement and sport.

Sports in the sky, on the water and on terra firma.
... sky sports: gliding, paragliding, basejumping
... watersports: canoeing, canyoning, swimming, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, sub-aqua diving, kitesurfing
Thanks to its well-ventilated location, Torbole has become an internationally renowned centre for sailing and surfing. It is a true paradise for watersports fanatics, who consider this area to be ideal for all their favourite pursuits.
... sports on terra firma: trekking, mountain biking, tennis, squash, horse riding, cycling, five-a-side football, beach volleyball and (last but not least) free climbing – every year, in late summer, this part of Italy attracts the world's finest climbers, who take part in the famous Rock Master competition.

Summer on Lake Garda is also about art and culture. Alongside the opera season at the Arena di Verona, there is the Garda Jazz Festival and the Mart Museum in Rovereto. In addition, there are events such as "I suoni delle Dolomiti" (The Sounds of the Dolomites), "Le notti di fiaba" (The Fabled Nights), "Oriente Occidente" (East West) and "Drodesera". Moreover, this part of Italy plays host to a number of major theme parks, including Gardaland, Canevaworld, Movie Studio, Sea Life and Parco Natura Viva.

Winter activities
During winter, Lake Garda has a very particular charm, since it becomes even more romantic and emotionally engaging. The silvery colour of the lake contrasts with the dark green of the evergreen woods and the white snow of the summits, which are reflected in the lake. The air is filled with the aromas of mulled wine, cinnamon and all the delights on offer at the Christmas stalls. Festive lights flicker in the streets and alleys of the towns and villages, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Even in winter, the climate is mild, so you can enjoy wonderful walks around the lake, excursions with ski poles through the surrounding mountains, cultural trips to the Mart Museum in Rovereto (where large-scale exhibitions are often staged) and visits to the Christmas markets that embellish the entire region. As the New Year approaches, you can participate in parties and feasts that come to an end with celebratory fireworks.