Sunday, 22 September 2024

Pescheria del Garda, Lake Garda Italy 🇮🇹 21st September 24

On Saturday the 21st September 2024 we decided after the busy day yesterday in Venice, we'd take it easy and stay in Peschiera. So we walked through Camping Bella Italia to head into town.

The sun was out and this in turn bought out all the lizards, they were everywhere.

We left the site and walked back along the lake.




We reached the main town and we walk to a kiosk on the ferry pier to hire a boat. We paid 40 euros for the hire plus fuel cost when we return. They demanded 150 euros in cash as deposit and a ID. Well I only had 100 euros and Lucy's Driving licence and they were happy with that!

I drive it slowly out of the harbour and then hand it over to George!

Mel adopted her usual position whenever we hire a boat, relaxing at the back!



Now it was Lucy's turn. Well its only right as the man that lent the boat said she was Captain as all the paperwork was in her name!


It was a lot of fun out on the lake and we were heading towards Lazise on the other side.






Not sure what George was doing here !


I eventually got Mel to take the wheel, she was reluctant and quickly handed it back!





We are now approaching Lazise.

Lazise is a comune (municipality) and town in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Venice and about 20 kilometres (12 miles) northwest of Verona. It is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,213 and an area of 65.0 square kilometres (25.1 sq mi). This geographical location empowers a position of great landscape value, but it also features elements of architectural value and of historical importance.

Lazise has many attractions: a thermal spring situated in Colà, two amusement parks (Canevaworld and Gardaland, the latter situated partly on the territory of Castelnuovo del Garda, where it is based, and partly on the territory of Lazise) and an extensive hilly agricultural landscape. Lazise records about 3.5 million tourist visits every year, figures that place it at 12th place in Italy among tourist destinations, and the first Italian lake destination.

The most imposing building of Lazise is the Scaliger Castle and the city wall that surrounds the historic centre. The castle was built during the domination of the lords of Verona Bartolomeo II and Antonio della Scala, or maybe just before the father Cansignorio della Scala (considering that Porta Nuova bears the date 21 May 1376). The city has always had three gates equipped with drawbridges: Porta Superiore, today known as Porta San Zeno, for the access on east side; Porta Lion (so called because it determined the coat of arms of the Serenissima), for the access on south side; Porta Nuova (so named because it was the last to be built), today widely called Porta Cansignorio, for access on north side. The castle suffered damages during the siege of the Venetians in July 1438, and then again in May 1528 due to the work of the army of Charles V. In the 16th century, with the progress of new technologies and war tactics, the castle lost importance and was purchased firstly by the community of Lazise and later by private families.

Traditional events are the Regata delle Bisse, using traditional Venetian rowing boats (with four standing rowers and no helmsman), whose stop in Lazise takes place between July and August, and the Cuccagna del Cadenon, which takes place at the end of August in conjunction with the Festa dell’Ospite, in which an eight-metre pole is placed horizontally on the waters of the old port, abundantly coated with fat, and is won by the one who, slipping on the greasy pole, manages to take the flag to the bottom.





We turn the boat around and start to head back, we saw jet foil boards that looked cool!

Well Mel said to speed up a bit as we had to be back in port in time, so I opened up the throttle and we hit a wake from another boat. The boat banged hard into this, the buoys beside the boat threw up into the air and I could hear Mel swearing behind. Whoops, but she did say go faster ! ha ha
 

Back in port, we were taken to the petrol pumps and paid 20 euros for fuel and got back our deposit. That was fun!





We have a little walk around town and grab some lunch.


Walking back by the town hall was an Oktoberfest event.

We walk up the hill by the Tourist centre up to  restaurant with views over Peschiera.





We walk back along the lake to camp.

We get changed at the apartment and walk down to the lake for a swim as it was a nice day at last!


It is really shallow a long way out and warmer than the sites swimming pools.












I managed to persuade Mel to get it after a while!

We the headed back into camp to use the Pools and flumes there.

We then went back to the pool by the apartments without the crowds.






A fun day relaxing in and on the Lake!