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jlooby
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:53 pm Post subject: Garda - where to stay |
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Hey all,
I am going to be in Garda this July for a week.
Any recommendations on which town to stay in?
Going with my wife - we want to bike, hike and relax in the way Italians do best.
And I want to sneak a few windsurf sessions! (probably afternoon sessions only)
Torbole, Riva del Garde, or Malcesine?
Thanks!
Joe |
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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coachg
Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3563
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Joe,
Garda is a great place. I was there last year for two weeks & am going again next year. There is so much to do there two weeks was not enough.
Malcesine: Probably the best place to hike and mountain bike. From Malcesine you can catch the tram to the top of Monte Baldo (over 7,000 feet) and hike or mountain bike back down. There is a half way station if it is too difficult to make the entire descent. Great restaurants down by the quaint little harbor where you can catch the ferry to other locations. Probably the best place to sail the Peler, or early northerly winds. The Peler is stronger & colder than the Ora so may require a wet suit. Both winds are side shore at Malcesine. There are three shops along the lake just north of downtown but most do not open until 8 am. The best Peler wind is around 6-7 am and it usually dies by 11 am unless there is a major storm over the Alps in which case the Peler blows all day. It is a 20 minute bus ride from Malcesine to Torbole.
Torbole: Probably the best windsurfing location as both winds are side shore from Shaka Surf Center which has the best location on the lake. Hiking is pretty good as there are some trails out of town along the ridge with great view. Lots of hills so a major workout if street biking. If street biking head inland to the valley and check out the wineries. The Ora is best here as the wind has to narrow & condense as it squeezes between Malcesine & Limone heading up the valleys through Riva & Torbole towards the heating Alps.
Riva del Garda: Bigger town, more streets to bike down. More shopping and tourist spots. You have to get out of town for hiking. Peler is offshore & Ora onshore so windsurfing not as good. Very close to Torbole & an easy bike ride along the promenade.
Side notes. You need to bring or rent a PFD as it is required on the lake. I didn't bring a wet suit but there were a couple of days that it would have been nice to have at least a shorty. If there is a strong Peler than the water gets cold due to upwelling otherwise the water is warm. I was there for the first two weeks of July.
Coachg
Last edited by coachg on Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jlooby
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Thanks coachg.
That's the info I was looking for!
Torbole it is - hopefully I'll see you there- we are there the first week of July in Garda to windsurf and then up to Bormio to road bike for a week.
Good winds.
Joe |
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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coachg
Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3563
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:04 am Post subject: |
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You are welcome Joe,
I'm going next year, as in 2019 so you will not see me there this summer. Torble is definitely my favorite. We stayed at the the Casa Bella Vista. Here is the link. https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p837425 Mario, the owner is great. Mario's place is located on the side of the mountain overlooking Lake Garda. If you rent the 1st of 2nd floor you have a great view of the lake. The ground floor does not have a very good lake view. The apartment has a full kitchen & there is a food co-op nearby.
If you are looking for more of a touristy vibe there are plenty of hotels along the beach & harbor. Mario's apartment is located next to local homes so it is a different vibe.
Enjoy,
Coachg |
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cgoudie1
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 2602 Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: Garda - where to stay |
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I'm fond of Torbole, It's got a real windsurf town flavor.
-Craig
jlooby wrote: | Hey all,
I am going to be in Garda this July for a week.
Any recommendations on which town to stay in?
Going with my wife - we want to bike, hike and relax in the way Italians do best.
And I want to sneak a few windsurf sessions! (probably afternoon sessions only)
Torbole, Riva del Garde, or Malcesine?
Thanks!
Joe |
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jlooby
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 69
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Update: Made it to Torbole and I can say wow - what an awesome place on this planet!
I have never seen so much windsurfing infrastructure (sail racks, board racks, on the shore camping) and so many windsurfers on the water - maybe 300-500 windsurfers out one day.
Great wind (every day), great food, views and really great mountain biking.
Probably the best windsurfing rental setups I have ever seen.
The prices were (dare I say) even reasonable.
Highly recommended!
Thanks to everyone for their tips - it really helped to make our trip special!
Joe |
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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Goodwind
Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 323 Location: On water
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