Lake Garda — Riva del Garda and Torbole

The northern shore of Lake Garda, where the lake reaches up into Trentino, offers a warm Mediterranean contrast to the high Dolomites, only about 45 kilometres and under an hour from Trento by car or bus. The lakeside town of Riva del Garda is the anchor: a handsome resort of pastel buildings, a palm-fringed waterfront, the medieval Torre Apponale rising over the harbour, and a backdrop of sheer cliffs dropping to the water, all enjoying a mild climate that supports olives, lemons and cypresses. Just along the shore, Torbole is one of Europe's most celebrated windsurfing and kitesurfing spots, thanks to the reliable Peler and Ora thermal winds, and watching the sails on the water or taking a lesson is a highlight in itself. A relaxed full day can mix several pleasures: strolling Riva's lakefront and old streets, swimming or sunbathing on the pebbly beaches, hiring a bike or walking the spectacular Ponale path, an old road carved into the cliffs above the lake that is now a panoramic cycle and walking route, and taking one of the ferries that link the northern towns to prettier villages further south such as Limone sul Garda and, across the water in Veneto, Malcesine with its lakeside castle. The waterfront restaurants serve lake fish, Garda olive oil and Trentino wines, and the gelaterie and cafes invite a slow afternoon. For the more active, the cliffs above Riva and nearby Arco are a renowned climbing area, and canyoning is offered in the side valleys. The season runs from April to October, with the warmest weather and busiest scene from June to September; spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures and reliable wind with fewer crowds. The lakeside paths and ferries make the area easy to enjoy without a car once you arrive, and sun protection and a swimsuit are the day's essentials.