Lake Garda is the largestof the northern lakes and today’s visit will take you along the western shore.Owing to an exceptionally mild climate, you will be passing olive groves,vineyards and even citrus plantations. This stretch is known as the GardoneRiviera and you will be driving through some delightful little towns;Toscolano, Maderno, Gargnano and Tignale, before stopping in Salo, an extremelyhandsome town, owing to the fact that it was once ruled by Venice. Particularlysplendid are the 15th century cathedral and the town hall. Justnorth of here is the exuberant residence of Il Vittoriale, presented to theItalian poet D’Annunzio by Mussolini in 1921 and where he lived until his deathin 1938. D’Annunzio was a colourfulcharacter to say the least and the house reflects this and includes an open-airtheatre, an impressive garden and a mausoleum. Continue your way along thelake, past pretty towns and elegant liberty style villas.
