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Desenzano del Garda
Italy
LAKE
A lakeside town with a little of the seaside about it.
On the southern shore of Lake Garda, Desenzano has turquoise-blue water, beaches along the shoreline, and mountains rising in the distance. Colorful buildings surround the old harbor, with lively piazzas and narrow streets extending into the town.
It's an easygoing place, with plenty to enjoy both on and off the water. Ferries connect Desenzano to other towns around the lake, making it easy to head off and explore for a few hours or an entire day.
IMPRESSIONS
The scenery is one of the first things you notice about Desenzano.
On clear days, the colors are almost impossibly vivid. The lake takes on a stunning shade of turquoise, with green mountains rising against the blue sky. Looking across the water, it's hard to tell where one ends and the next begins.
Other days, dark clouds gather, and the wind picks up along the shore. The landscape changes dramatically with the weather, offering an entirely different view from one day to the next.
The town can be surprisingly quiet during the day. Some afternoons, the streets seem almost deserted. By evening, families are out walking along the promenade, restaurants are filling up, and people are still swimming long after sunset.
PROVISIONS
Some of the best meals in Desenzano are the simplest ones.
A toasted sandwich from the beachside bar between swims, a panino by the lake, or an afternoon aperitivo with a few things to share. Around town, cafes and restaurants set out their tables in the piazzas, along the streets, and overlooking the water.
At one family-run hotel, passed down through three generations, breakfast was prepared each morning right beside the guests' tables.
RETURNS
There's a certain comfort in coming back to Desenzano.
The beaches, the familiar faces, a favorite table for an afternoon aperitivo. The lake and the weather might look different from one visit to the next, but the things that make the town so enjoyable are still there.
There's always something happening, too. A weekly flea market full of antiques and ceramics, live jazz outside a little restaurant, or simply another afternoon spent swimming.
And while there's plenty more to explore around Lake Garda, sometimes the nicest part is simply coming back to Desenzano.
Until next time,
Desenzano.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
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