The northern lakes of Italy are the popular choice for celebrity weddings and film locations. The scenery, history & culture make for a remarkable location. The biggest of these lakes is Lake Garda, an emerald lake, filled with the pristine waters of snow-melt in the Alps, and penned in by towering peaks.
The setting is jaw-dropping with ancient buildings on the waterfront, being bordered by shimmering waters and a backdrop of towering peaks.
On the water or boulevards, Lake Garda is distinctly Italian with wonderful architecture and gastronomy. Everything seems touched by the familiar and unique Italian style. There is fine dining on the water’s edge and superb vineyards in the foothills, whilst Lake Garda is a huge sports and activity centre.
Incentive event programmes are complemented by a fantastic range of activities in the mountains, on the lake, or in one of the many adorable resorts on Lake Garda’s shoreline.
Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy with a shoreline of just under 100 miles. There are many settlements around the lake shore, but several are ideally suited to incentive travel events. At the northern extremity of Lake Garda is Riva del Garda, a lakeside resort with a great waterfront and a wonderful historic centre - the town has real style and a dramatic location.
Riva has several hotels with conference facilities, a marina and some good restaurants. The mountains around Riva del Garda rise dramatically out of the water at the northern end of the lake. Torbole is the neighbouring resort to Riva and is a Mecca for wind sports such as sailing and kite surfing.
On the southeast edge of Lake Garda, Lazise is a fantastic town with ancient fortifications and a great waterfront with historic buildings, shops and dining. Ferries leave Lazise for destinations on the lake, whilst the Gardaland theme park is just a little south of the town.
On a rocky promontory, Sirmione is a dramatic town in the far south of the lake. There is a fantastic castle to visit and numerous bars, shops and restaurants. The shoreline offers some great spaces to stroll the water’s edge. Water taxis and ferries leave from the northern end of the peninsula, connecting to many towns on the lake.
Salò is located on the western shore of Lake Garda and offers another great destination in the southern section of the lake. The town has a long waterfront promenade with numerous shops, bars and restaurants. There is a museum, a marina, a ferry port, and some town bathing beaches.
In addition to the Lake Garda towns and villages on the shoreline, there are numerous locations in the mountains above the lake, with stunning retreats and mind-blowing views across the lake and surrounding peaks.
Lake Garda is the biggest freshwater lake in Europe and is an absolute Mecca for water sports enthusiasts. The lake's northern end has some of the best kite and windsurfing conditions in the region, and sailing regattas can be arranged across many locations, offering one of the ultimate incentive event activities available.
Stand-up paddling and kayaking are also possible in many locations. Whitewater rafting is available in the region, offering serious thrills without any previous experience required. With similar equipment but a gentler pace, a rafting tour through historic Verona is a magical experience.
Numerous incentive event activities are possible in the mountains around Lake Garda, including adventure trekking, mountain biking and e-biking. For those with a head for heights via Ferrata and rock climbing offer the chance to see the rock of Lake Garda up close, whilst tandem paragliding provides a bird’s eye view.
Not every meeting or incentive event attendee wants to be thrilled senseless and for them there are several fantastic event activities to experience. Wine tours amongst magical scenery are tough to beat, as are the food tours that operate in the area and sample cuisine from another world. Historic & cultural programmes can also be arranged.
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Dining on the shores of Lake Garda is a special experience, especially for groups. The waterfront promenades that circle much of Lake Garda are brimming with dining options and there is a range of great quality restaurants, in wonderful settings.
Pasta and pizza are ubiquitous but many excellent restaurants offer regional specialities, including Michelin star standard.
It is not only the waterfront that offers excellent dining, many of the best restaurants in the area are located back from the water, in the plains or foothills around Lake Garda. As well as a slower pace, these locations offer event dining venues with spectacular vistas.
This location is also the source of much of the local produce, including oils, meats and wines, making the dining experience all the more fresh and authentic.
Lake Garda destinations are unique and differ in terms of nightlife. Yet all have dining and drinking venues, many on the waterfront.
Riva del Garda has some excellent bars set back from the water in its narrow streets. Away from the main tourist traps, these bars attract locals besides visitors.
Lazise has a few late-night bars in the port area of the town, whilst Salò has a large waterfront strip offering many restaurants and bars along its shoreline.
Many Italians venture to this side of Lake Garda and the place is alive at night. Between Sirmione and Salò is the Coco Beach Club, a great venue for private beach parties.