Lago di Garda, Italy by Elliott Brown

Beauty hurts, or is more expensive than the sea
Lago di Garda enjoys a large tourist popularity. This corresponds to a number of first-class hotels and guesthouses. With the mark of prestige, prices are higher here than in other Italian resorts (apartments for around €20, campings for €10).

Even lake queen would not have to be ashamed of the lake – 346 meters depth is really impressive. Glacier Lake Garda was founded thanks to the global warming about 10 thousand years ago. Receding Alpine glaciers created this beautiful water world. The upper part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by great rock massifs. Towards the south, the lake opens up and allows visitors easier access. The lake lies at an altitude of 65 meters. Its maximum depth is 346 meters and if you would like to walk it all around, you have to prepare to about 160 kilometre-long way.

The right place for more demanding tourists and adventure lovers is the northern part of Lake Garda. Biking, hiking, rock climbing is just a fraction of what the area offers. Lake Garda is ideal for active holidays. You find here hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking trails that lead deep into the mountains, on the water you can enjoy boating, scooters or just play a beach volleyball.

Lago di Garda Italy by Robert Wirrmann

If you decide to go on a proper mountain hike, do not forget the map. It can be obtained in tourist centers or hotels. Losing here is really not hard at all. The ideal starting point for tours is the town of Riva del Garda, where you can go either west or east. The western side offers steep rock walls, suitable more for hiking. The eastern hills are a paradise for passionate cyclists. (You can rent bikes and all the amenities from some of many rental services here, but prices are often quite high).

In addition to alpine tours and resting at blue lake you can also go for culture or rich night life, which is characteristic for Italy and its inhabitants. Visit a town of Riva del Garda. This place is ideal for lovers of history.

Lake Garda, Italy by Marjolein Knuit

In the southern part of the lake, you can visit a spa town Sirmione, known as the “Pearl of Lake Garda.” The Romans built here two castles, ports, and a whopping villa of Grotte di Catullo. On the ruins of one of the ports you can now visit the castle Scaligeri Rocca, which is one of the landmarks of Sirmione.

Glacier Lake Garda is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is suitable for everybody – hikers, adventurers, historians…

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The city is at its hottest – weather-wise – in August, when locals take holidays, and many places close; though it can provide a tranquil alternative to the crowded coast.

Fashion and finance aside, Milan’s other religion is, of course, football. The city is home to both AC Milan and Inter Milano, two of Italy’s top teams, and passionate crowds pack San Siro stadium on Sunday in season.

The city also harbours some lesser-known attractions such as the Navigli’s canal-side cafés and old-fashioned gelaterie (ice-cream shops) and the funky design district of Isola.

Top Sights in Milan

• Teatro alla Scala
• Tempio della Vittoria
• Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II
• Piazza Duomo
• Biblioteca Ambrosiana
• Duomo Cathedral in Milan
• Arena Civica
• Naviglio della Martesana
• Ticinese Gate
• Via Monte Napoleone
• Poldi-Pezzoli Museum
• Bagatti-Valsecchi Palace
• Litta Theatre

View Milano – the city of Italian fashion in a larger map

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Cascate del Serio, Lombardy, Italy by Marco Chiesa

The source of the Cascate del Serio is from the Serio River which is fed by the Bergamo Alps. It was back in 1931 when the Barbellino Dam was built and created the Lago di Barbellino reservoir. This reservoir is used as a source of energy for the local hydroelectric powerplant. As a result, like many of the waterfalls in Italy, it is only open a few times throughout the year.

It is therefore important that if you plan on visiting the region in order to check out the Cascate del Serio, that you need to prepare accordingly and ensure that you are able to make it to the village on the exact day and time that the floodgates are open and the waterfalls began rushing once again. But just remember, that when the waterfall is turned on, it is only going to be visible for about 30 minutes. As a result of the rarity in which the falls are turned on, you will quickly find out upon arriving to the region that there are many other people interested in seeing this rare event.

Long before the existence of the reservoir and the hydroelectric powerplant, there was a romantic legend that was associated with the waterfalls. The legend of the Cascate del Serio speaks of a local girl who had fallen in love with a shepherd boy who had already been engaged. Not wanting to lose her shepherd, she kidnapped fiancée and locked her away forever. The girl cried out for her loss and those tears created the Cascate del Serio.

Opening hours of Cascate del Serio in 2013

Cascate del Serio is planned to be opened in 2013 as follows:

• Sunday 16th June 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Saturday 20th July 2013 – 22:00 – 22:30
• Sunday 18th August 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Sunday 15th September 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30
• Sunday 6th October 2013 – 11:00 – 11:30

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