Desenzano

Much favoured by the Italians themselves, the pretty resort of Desenzano on the southern shores of Lake Garda oozes character and an historic charm alongside the warmest of welcomes.

You will also see the resort written as Desenzano del Garda (or occasionally 'sul Garda') to describe its lake shore location. It is a large, upmarket town with a population of about 30,000 people and is truly welcoming with a friendly atmosphere making it an ideal destination for families and couples alike. It also benefits from a great train station making access to many cities in northern Italy very straightforward.

Desenzano enjoys three large stony beaches, ideal for lazing in a deckchair and soaking up the views. Visitors to the resort can savour a combination of glistening lake views and the stunning scenic backdrop of the Alps. If you can take a break away from your deckchair why not enjoy some of the lovely lakeside walks. If you are looking for a little adventure, boats can be hired for a couple of hours or a day if you want to see the lake your way.

If nightlife is on your agenda, Desenzano serves up some of the best on the lake with the piazzas alive until well into the early hours. The family is central to Italian culture and you will see many generations sitting chatting, enjoying a evening drink whilst the children play together and enjoy a gelato in a very safe environment.

Desenzano offers a great range of choice when it comes to shops, restaurants and cafés to while away the hours. Choose from stylish boutiques offering quirky options to designer and everything in between and you’ll find an abundance of antique shops too. Stop at a pavement café for a break or if you are looking for delicious Italian fare, you will be spoiled for choice here. From pizzerias to trattorias and even Michelin star restaurants, you’ll find plenty to suit your tastes.

If you wish to explore more of Lake Garda, there is a public boat service that links the resort with other resorts around the lake such as Sirmione, Peschiera, Salo and Gardone Riviera, all well worth the visit. And if you want to go further afield, the train station in the town makes accessing some of the nearby Italian cities very easy. Visit to the ‘city of love’, with just a 25 minute journey or the chic city of Milan, just 50 minutes by train. The fabulous city of Venice can also be reached from here within an hour and a half.

So whether it is discovering more of Lake Garda or venturing further afield to visit a city or two, Desenzano is a perfect base.