Peschiera and Desenzano are the principal ports at the southern end of the lake, and each in its way is trying to be a “resort.” The environs are charming and the towns themselves interesting enough, though chiefly from the point of view of the artist. The seeker after the gaieties and pleasures of the great watering places will find nothing of the sort here.
Between Peschiera and Desenzano juts out the promontory of Sermione. A village is entered by a drawbridge and a mediæval gate on the south. On the opposite side is a fortified wall that separates it from the northerly portion of the island, and through which opens the only gate in that direction. The old castle, in the form of a quadrangle, with a high square tower, was entered on the north by a drawbridge. This entrance is still well preserved, as well as its small port or darsena, surrounded by crenelated battlements; but the principal entrance is now on the side of the village, by a gate over which are shields bearing the arms of the Scaligers. It is one of the most imposingly militant of all the castles of north Italy. Only that of Fénis in the Val d’Aoste is more so.
Riva, at the Austrian end of the lake of Garda, has its drawbacks but it occupies a wonderful site nevertheless.
While Northern Tyrol is still wrapped in the white mantle of winter’s snow, and winter sports of every description furnish great amusement for old and young, the lovely Lake of Garda is already beginning to show signs of spring. All along the lake the great “stanzoni,” or lemon-houses for sheltering the lemon trees in winter, are, even in January, often filled with blossoms.
On the Lago di Garda
The best time to visit Riva is from February to June, and from the middle of August to the end of October, but Riva at all times will be a surprise and a delight to those who do not mind a régime table d’hôte, as the doctors have it, and the fact that everybody round about appears to be a semi-invalid.