ITALIAN LAKES SIRMIONE The mediaeval town of Sirmione is situated at the end of a long peninsula at the southern end of Lake Garda and is made up of a maze of narrow streets that are limited to traffic. It has elegant boutiques, villas and a wealth of historical features including the impressive 13th century Scaliger Castle, the church of San Pietro in Mavino with origins dating back to the 11th century and the Santa Maria Maggiore with its beautiful 15th century frescoes. Also worth a visit are the nearby Roman ruins of the Grotto of Catullus.
Continental This comfortable hotel has a peaceful location on the Sirmione peninsula. It overlooks the western shore of Lake Garda and is a short stroll from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.The waterfront sun terrace is the perfect place to relax – there is a private jetty with sun loungers and the uninterrupted lake views are superb. There is a swimming pool, or you may prefer to swim off the jetty. The 57 bedrooms are spacious and simply furnished; many have balconies with views over the garden or the lake.The 1960’s architectural style of the building is not to everyone’s taste, however, the service is excellent and the relaxed atmosphere makes this a pleasant place to stay.The restaurant is open for lunch or dinner and opens out on to a terrace in fine weather. 3 night price from £698 per person low season, £748 per person high season. SPECIAL OFFER 14 March – 3 April, 26 September – 7 November: 4 nights for the price of 3, saving £120.
TORRI DEL BENACO A quieter alternative to some of the busier resorts, this pretty town sits on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, about 45 minutes from Verona. A 14th century castle built by the powerful Scaliger family overlooks the neat, cobbled streets of the historic old town and the small harbour with its colourful fishing boats.Torri is most famous for Bronze Age rock carvings in caves nearby and also makes an excellent base for exploring the lake as ferries head south to Sirmione and north to Malcesine and Riva del Garda. Gardesana Villa Cortine
Superior
This splendid villa, with its neo-classical Palladian-style façade, stands in an extensive park at the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, on the southern shores of Lake Garda. The hotel is reached through the tiny, narrow streets of Sirmione. The Villa Cortine is a luxurious haven; an imposing gateway leads you through the private grounds to the villa, built at the beginning of the last century. Here you will find spacious lounges with stunning frescoes, mosaics and decorated ceilings, a bar and an elegant dining room. There are 47 bedrooms, a summer swimming pool, a tennis court bordered by tall cypress trees and exotic gardens and a private bathing platform on the lake with an attractive alfresco restaurant. 3 night price from £898 per person low season, £1,139 per person high season. SPECIAL OFFER 2 April – 3 May, 28 September – 18 October: 4 nights for the price of 3, saving £198.
Olivi This attractive hotel is set amongst ancient olive trees and a wooded garden in a quiet residential area, five minutes’ walk from the bustling centre of Sirmione and some 100 metres from Lake Garda. At the front of the hotel there are trees and gardens and a large outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace. There is a lobby bar, a breakfast room and an elegant restaurant. In summer, dinner is also served outside on the terrace and light snacks are also served at lunchtime at the poolside bar. It has 50 bedrooms; those reserved for Kirker clients are the Olivi’s recently renovated ‘Superior’ rooms, each with a balcony overlooking the gardens with views through the trees towards the lake. The olivi reopened in April 2013 with a brand new spa which features a thermal swimming pool. 3 night price from £689 per person low season, £798 per person high season. SPECIAL OFFER 1 March – 30 April, 30 September – 30 October: 7 nights for the price of 6, saving £130. Kirker clients travelling during these dates receive a guaranteed room upgrade.
48
Superior
This privately-owned hotel occupies a prime spot in the centre of town, opposite the castle and overlooking the mediaeval harbour. The 34 comfortable rooms are clean and furnished in traditional style with views of the harbour and some have small private balconies. The hotel has two restaurants; the ‘Ristorante Torri’ with a terrace on the harbour front and the first floor ‘Lounge Bar’ where breakfast is served. Both offer a range of regional cuisine in the evenings with fresh fish from the lake a speciality. In the summer months, open-air concerts are sometimes held in the small piazza by the hotel. 3 night price from £498 per person low season, £559 per person high season.
SALO A five minute drive along the lake from Gardone Riviera is the smart harbour town of Salo.The town flourished under Venetian rule in the 1500s, but it came back into the spotlight in the 20th century when it served as the capital of Mussolini’s short-lived Italian Social Republic from 1943 to 1945.Today it is a sophisticated resort town with fashionable boutiques, cafés and an array of popular restaurants, which line the lakefront promenade. Bellerive
Superior
The elegant Bellerive is located just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Salo and overlooks the small marina. The spacious rooms are simply furnished in a contemporary style and there are six apartments in the adjacent villa, which are perfect for families. A delicious breakfast including freshly baked cakes and pastries is served in the restaurant ‘100km’, which is also open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant terrace opens directly onto a small garden and there is a wonderful outdoor swimming pool for the summer months. 3 night price from £578 per person low season, £798 per person high season.
F L I G H T I N F O R M AT I O N – S E E P A G E 4 5