What to do in Lake Garda

Dolomite-framed and bigger than Como, Lake Garda is the wilder, more outdoorsy of Italy's great lakes. Spend a morning crossing the lake on a private wooden motorboat or sailing yacht, dropping anchor for a swim and an aperitivo. Visit Isola del Garda, still home to the Borghese-Cavazza family, who will walk you through the private gardens themselves. For a little adventure, ride the rotating cable car up Mount Baldo for views over to the Brenta Dolomites or kayak below the cliffs of the northern shore. Inland, head into Valpolicella for Amarone and Ripasso at a family-run winery, and don't miss Verona’s Roman arena and Romeo and Juliet balcony; it’s an easy day's outing.