We arrived at Camping Bella Italia in Peschiera, Lake Garda and was greeted by the friendly security guard who remembered us from last year, calling Samson an “elephant carrier” as he couldn’t describe it as a motorhome or caravan!!

Last year we spent several weeks here exploring the small lake side villages, this time around, we were with my Mum and Dad, Heather & Mike, so were able to share the views with them.

We took them to Bardolino and Lazise, where last year David and I spent our anniversary, we showed them the beautiful ports and walled towns.  Bardolino was in full bloom with amazing flower displays.

We spent a day out at the Museum Nicols, a private collector’s display of over 100 vintage and classic cars, over 100 motorbikes and bicycles as well as old sewing machines, typewriters, cameras, vanity cases, gramaphones, radios and other memorabilia.

We also took the local ferry from Peschiera to the top of the lake and back again, a whole day out, stopping at most of the villages.  We disembarked at a town near the top of the lake called Malcesine, where last year in October David & I took the cable car to the top of Monte Baldo and watched paragliders launching from the ridges, but this year in April, the cable car was full of skiiers, taking advantage of the snow on the top!  It was colder than last year so we decided to skip the cable car and visited the castle instead, catching a bride and groom being photographed in the grounds following their ceremony in one of the rooms within the castle.

We did climb to the top of the bell tower, just as the bells chimed!  Fabulous views, despite it being a little foggy which also gave us a lovely sunset.

  • Lake side view
  • A local wine
  • Mum & Dad’s arrival.
  • Bardolino in bloom.
  • Grappa tasting at a local diner.
  • Museum Nicols.
  • Our anniversary hotel in Lazise.
  • Dad contemplating another beer….
  • Cheers dears!
  • Mum happy with Gin and Nuts!
  • Lake views.
  • Malcesine in winter.
  • Lakeside lunch in Malcesine.
  • Scaligero Castle in Malcesine.
  • Boatman in the sunset.