Magical setting with the emerald lake surrounded by historic lakeside towns & towering peaks. Sailing regattas, wine tours, exquisite dining, stunning venues – Lake Garda has everything for a superb meeting or incentive event.
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 from 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 back-drop of towering peaks.
Whether on the water or the boulevards, Lake Garda is distinctly Italian with wonderful architecture and incredible gastronomy - everything seems touched by the familiar and unique, Italian style. There is fine dining on the water’s edge, superb vineyards in the foothills, whilst Lake Garda is a huge sports and activity centre.
Meeting and 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 that sit on Lake Garda’s shoreline.
LAKE GARDA EVENT - OVERVIEW
Facts & figures
- Population: 17 000 (Riva)
- June ave. temp. 21°C
- September ave. temp. 19°C
Airport transfers
- Verona | 14 miles
- Venice | 90 miles
- Milan | 118 miles
- Innsbruck | 158 miles
Culture
- Historic sites
- Wine tours
- Opera (Verona)
Action
- Canyoning
- Water sports
- Kite surfing
- Sailing
- Mountain biking
LAKE GARDA RESORTS
Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy with a shoreline of just under 100 miles. There are many settlements around the perimeter of the lake but there are a number of highlight resorts to visit or stay in. At the northern extremity of Lake Garda is Riva del Garda, a lakeside resort with great waterfront and a wonderful historic centre - the town has real style and a dramatic location.
There are large 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, numerous bars, shops and restaurants, whilst 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 of the other 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 and a ferry port along with some town beaches for bathing.
In addition to the Lake Garda towns and villages on the shoreline, there are numerous locations in the mountains above the lake, offering stunning retreats with mind-blowing views across the lake and surrounding peaks.
LAKE GARDA EVENT ACTIVITIES
Canyoning
Slide waterfalls and leap into deep pools as the group descends the wonderful natural river canyons in the north of the Lake Garda.
Lakeside drinks
With superb historic sites dotting the shore, take over a private terrace and enjoy fantastic Italian hospitality whilst gazing over the water.
Sunset cruise
The best way to see Lake Garda is from the water and sunset cruises are a spectacular time to take to water and watch the sun at dusk.
MORE THINGS TO DO ON A LAKE GARDA EVENT
Lake Garda is the biggest freshwater lake in Europe and is a Mecca for water sports enthusiasts. At the northern end of the lake are some of the best kite and wind surfing conditions in the region, whilst sailing regattas can be arranged across many locations, offering one of the ultimate meeting & incentive event activities.
Stand up paddling is also possible in many locations, as is kayaking. White water rafting can be undertaken 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.
In the mountains around Lake Garda there are numerous event activities on offer, including adventure trekking, mountain biking and e-biking. For those with a head for heights via ferrata and rock climbing offering the chance to see the rock of Lake Garda up close, whilst tandem paragliding provides the bird’s eye view of it all.
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 which operate in the area and sample cuisine from another world. Historic & cultural programmes can also be arranged.
LAKE GARDA DINING
Dining on the shores of Lake Garda is a truly special experience. The waterfront promenades which circle much of Lake Garda are brimming with dining options and there are a range of great quality restaurants, in wonderful settings.
Pasta and pizza are ubiquitous but there are a number of excellent restaurants offering regional specialities and are Michelin star standard.
It is not only the waterfront which 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 for much of the local produce, including oils, meats and wines, making the dining experience all the more fresh and authentic.
LAKE GARDA NIGHTLIFE
Each town on Lake Garda has its own individuality and vary in terms of nightlife, yet all have dining and drinking venues, many of them 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 as well as visitors.
Lazise has a few late-night bars in the port centre of the town whilst Salò has a large waterfront strip offering a many restaurants and bars along its shore line.
There are many Italians who venture to this side of the 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.
LAKE GARDA MEETINGS & SEMINARS
Lake Garda has some superb venues for meetings & seminars across its many towns. Riva del Garda has a dedicated congress centre located close to the marina and waterfront.
This congress centre features a variety of rooms with a capacity of up to 900 in its largest auditorium. There are a range of smaller rooms and a wonderful garden that gives way to the lake.
There are specialist congress hotels located around Lake Garda with accommodation and meeting facilities on one site. One excellent congress hotel is located close to Lazise and the Gardaland Theme Park.
A central swimming pool in the gardens is a great focal point, whilst the lower-ground floor features extensive meeting space.
LAKE GARDA - THE UNMISSABLE
Lake Garda is famed for its winds, and locations such as Torbole in the north are an absolute Mecca for wind / kite surfing and sailing. There are marinas located right around the shoreline of Lake Garda and sailing is a hugely popular sport.
Sailing regattas can be organised where a skipper leads a boat of inexperienced participants who perform sailing tasks as a team. Several boats compete against each other in races round circuits on the lake. Being under sail, out on the water of Lake Garda, is something not to miss.
Organise your Lake Garda meeting or incentive event with us.
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Provide a little information as to your Lake Garda event needs and we can begin to develop some initial ideas for you.