My first wedding anniversary in the fantastic Sirmione, on the shore of Garda Lake.. Lombardy, Italy

Our first wedding anniversary ... And then a month of bad weather, cold and rain, finally a nice sunny day!

We decide to give us a day and a lunch in Sirmione, the "pearl" of the Garda, and Milan is very little (about an hour and a half drive) and is very well connected by highway.
You could go by train, but today we do not want to time constraints.

The only drawback of Sirmione is the parking: If you want to leave your car near the old town, there are only paying parking fees not exactly popular with ... We luckily found a free parking area at the end of the country's "modern", not far from the quay where the shuttles that connect the city center by boat.

 

Lunch in Sirmione

We depart from Milan with the sun and a nice breeze that carries the typical spring pollen: If there were no sun, would appear to snowflakes!

Once in Sirmione and left the car, we decide to give us a ride by speedboat (3 euro each) to get to the center by the lake. The crossing is short, but lets you see the Rock Scaligera from a different angle.

Given the hour, we decided immediately to go and find a restaurant that we had accidentally found on the Internet: Al Torcol (Via San Salvatore, 30). The choice turns out to be very interesting, the restaurant is very small, but during the summer has several Tavalia open, allowing asaporare the climate and the scent of the lake. Unfortunately it did not overlook the lake itself, but it is also interesting to note the narrow streets of historic Sirmione and the many tourists (many foreigners) who walk with the nose!

The menu is discovered: The paper offers choices of both lake and land, but we were already at the head of lake trout, and then choose fish dishes and a good white wine of the area.

Maybe for us, do not start anymore, but the Cape Town offers good walks (for the lazy, there is also the train) and some historical places to visit.

Afternoon in Sirmione

After lunch, we head straight for the Grotte di Catullo, just north tip of the promontory, which I always remember the beautiful and fragrant rosemary hedges, beyond the grandeur of what was to be a luxurious Roman villa.

"Caves" is a term to indicate Renaissance collapsed structures, and in most cases covered with earth or ivy. This, due to the inclination of the land is located on several levels, achieved through a series of massive cuts in the rock
According to tradition they are the remains of the residence of the poet Sirmionese We have no evidence yet that it will. No doubt stayed in Sirmione Catullo, as evidenced by the verses of the Carmen XXXI.
In the nineteenth century were carried out the first archaeological excavations of the area by the Veronese Girolamo Orti Manara, who published the results in a 'work of '56. Manara's research are particularly careful and precise and have been completed with the detailed plans. The site now ranks at the archaeological site itself is said Antiquarium. Tourists who visit the caves you can find all the most interesting material came to light during archaeological excavations. These are everyday objects, but also artistic. Among them appear very beautiful frescoes painted with marine scenes, and a representative of a poet.

Meanwhile, the sky became cloudy and then decided to return to the Fortress Scaligera, making stops in the ruins of San Pietro in Mavino with the bell of the fallen, and the entry of the Terme di Sirmione (Aquaria Wellness Center), the temptation for a future return!

After covering all the streets of the historic center, we also visit the Rock Scaligera, Sirmione from admiring the castle battlements.

The imposing structure that overlooks the lake, the Castle of Sirmione has been for centuries an outpost of fundamental importance for the control of the water. It has a dock still in perfect condition which is a rare example of a fortification for the exclusive use of the port. In general, the impact on the rest of the area is urbanized by posting large, imposing, but also harmony.
The castle was built during the XIII century by Mastino della Scala, but the porch we can still find a Roman lapidary. You can access the walls, from which you can admire the dock perfectly fortified favorite haunt fleet Scala. It was further reinforced when, in 1405, Sirmione was annexed to the Republic of Venice, which opted for a general renewal of the fortifications of the castle.
Overall, the castle of Sirmione is one of the best preserved in Italy. Visitors are allowed to enter through the drawbridge and walk on imposing crenellated walls along the walkways, after climbing 146 steps to reach the well keep the main!

After the tour, we just have to see for the last time the many swans that inhabit the waters of Lake E. .. give us one of the many ice creams that are sold on every corner! (For the more health conscious, Sirmione is also full of stalls selling fruit and salads!