FamilyHoliday

Lake Garda

Travelling with children – particularly if they are small and need a lot of attention – can prove to be complicated

and tax mum and dad’s patience! The editorial staff of GardaConcierge wants to help parents who take the plunge

by presenting a short guide for a fantastic family holiday on Lake Garda.

CONTENTS

In Sirmione with Children

Malcesine & Monte Baldo

Theme Parks

In the Thermal Bath with Children

Easy Bicycle Routes

KEY TO SYMBOLS

Pharmacies

Bike/golf cart rental

Pushchair rental

Parent-child-area

Bathrobe rental

Carparks

Food and drinks

Pushchair-friendly streets

Emergency medical service

Green areas

Foldable pushchair

WC

Shop

Family Holiday

In Sirmione with ChildrenWith this visiting tour in Sirmione you can explore enchanting and exciting places… with the entire family! One of

the most beautiful towns on Lake Garda, Sirmione, is within easy reach of every part of the lake, whether by car or

boat, and offers carparks in a convenient distance from the old town.

1) Access to Sirmione – Scaliger CastleA nice surprise awaits visitors upon entering the town via a drawbridge: from here, they can enjoy a splendid view of

the lake with its swans, ducks and fish, before getting to the Scaliger castle, an impressive castle on the waterfront. At

the sight, younger guests will immediately feel like the princes and princesses of their favourite fairy tales!

2) Old Town – Mini Railway – Grotte di CatulloGoing down the main street, which will appeal to mum and dad because of its stores and art shops, visitors reach

the Piazzale Orti Manara in front of the Terme di Sirmione. A nice mini railway will take all visitors, including any

pushchairs, to the Grotte di Catullo. There is a bar (with a bathroom), where visitors can take a break before visiting

the antique ruin and the park. From the remains of this stunning Roman villa, they can then enjoy one of the most

splendid views of the area.

3) Terme di SirmioneAfter the visit, visitors can easily descend on foot to the mini railway’s point of departure. The track runs parallel with

that of the mini railway and children can run about without any problems. It also runs along Maria Callas’s villa – this

way, after a pleasant stroll, visitors find themselves in front of the entrance to the Terme di Catullo. If your children

are over two and a half years, you can take them to the thermal bath and benefit from a hot dip while enjoying a

wonderful view of Lake Garda.

4) Ice CreamAnd to everybody’s joy, a day in Sirmione cannot be called a day without ice cream! Sirmione’s old town is renowned

for the number of ice cream parlours it boasts, in which a huge variety of ice-cream wafers and types of ice cream

are on display. A true feast for the eyes and the palate!

© - All rights reserved

Family Holiday Malcesine & Monte BaldoThe beauty of Lake Garda is that it provides the opportunity to spend exciting holidays among lakes and mountain landscapes - easily and effortlessly, without being a travel expert or a trained athlete. The region thus lends itself to a family holiday. The view across Lake Garda from the summit of Monte Baldo is certainly one of the tour highlights. Following our itinerary, the visit is also feasible for families with children. The tour starts from the beautiful city of Malcesine.

1) Malcesine:After a car ride along the renowned panoramic Gardesana Orientale street or a boat ride across the lake (landing stage at the old town), visitors reach the city, which is among the most famous and beautiful on Lake Garda. Its old town is of course car-free, but there are various pay car parks in close proximity to the city centre. The pedestrian area consists of small alleys and narrow streets with various shops and is easily accessible. Still, there are some cobblestone alleys, in which pushing a pushchair will be a bit more difficult for mum and dad! Malcesine’s small picturesque harbour is surrounded by bars and restaurants, in which children can enjoy snacks, drinks and kids’ meals. This makes it an ideal stop to admire the lake and the city’s old palazzi prior to a visit of the Scaliger castle, Malcesine’s main attraction.

2) Scaliger Castle:A visit to the castle with children is possible. However, pushchairs need to be left behind, as some points can be reached only by stairs. Children will certainly like the Museum of the Natural History of Monte Baldo and Lake Garda (Museo di Storia Naturale del Baldo del Garda), where they can explore the area in an enthralling and exciting way thanks to innovative and interactive displays. The museum is housed in small barracks and extends to 9 halls, 4 of these on the basement and 5 on the ground floor. A permanent exhibition in the castle’s old powder magazine is dedicated to Goethe. Usually, the visit ends with a climb to the top of the castle tower; however, visitors with children can also limit themselves to the artillery platform, the so-called “rivelino” from where you can also enjoy splendid views of the lake and its surroundings.

3) Cable Car Malcesine – Monte BaldoFrom Malcesine’s castle, it is just a short walk (crossing the Gardesana street) to the starting point of the Malces-ine – Monte Baldo cable car. This extremely modern and barrier-free cable car is unique in the world because of its revolving cabins. Thanks to lifts which take visitors to the starting point, access to the cabins is easy even with pushchairs (transport at a surcharge). The skyride, lasting only a few minutes, to the 1800 m summit of Monte Baldo will be an incredible experience particularly for children, as it gives a sensation of flying across the blue of the lake. Given the remarkable difference in height that is bridged during the ascent, we recommend you take along layered clothes and equip yourselves with warm clothes for the summit, where temperatures are lower than at the starting point. Visitors can enjoy a unique view, particularly in the summer, when the blue of the sky and the lake and the green of the meadows blend together.

Children can run around, play, roll in the grass, have a picnic with their parents on the large meadows and experience the untouched nature of the area. During certain times of the year, visitors can meet the alpacas, that are raised in enclosures on Monte Baldo. Nearly all year round, visitors can watch in amazement, as paragliders launch themselves into the void above the lake. They are a kind of flying superheroes, who will most certainly be admired by your children, stimulating their imagination! And after a lot of outdoor fun, there’s nothing better than taking a rest at one of the Alpine cabins in the area and have a tasty snack – among these are strudel, hand-made cakes and various other mountain specialities.

© - All rights reserved

Family Holiday

Theme ParksThe theme parks on Lake Garda are without doubt among the most famous in Italy - and not only here!The reputation of this area as a “family fun land” extends beyond the borders of neighbouring countries, attracting young and older holiday makers every year, who are impatient to try out the impressive theme park attractions on Lake Garda. To plan a holiday in this area without spending at least a day in one of these renowned parks … is virtually impossible!The parks are located in different areas on Lake Garda, and within easy and comfortable reach by shuttle or bus, which take visitors without a car to their entrances. The parks also provide offers, family discounts, reduced and even free entrance tickets for children, as well as services, games and entertainment for all age groups.Parents, be prepared … excuses as to why you can’t visit an amusement park, don’t count here!Visitors can simply follow their taste and choose the best suited theme park to spend a fantastic and fun day and live an unforgettable experience with their family.

NATURE PARKS:Nature lovers and those who are interested in the flora and fauna of Lake Garda, can choose to visit one of the numer-ous nature parks on the lake shore. The Parco Natura Viva in Pastrengo is certainly to be recommended for families with children. Apart from paying a visit to the animal park, visitors can also go on an exciting zoo safari (included in the ticket price). On board their own car, or if they wish, a rental car, visitors can have a truly unique experience. This holds particularly true for younger visitors, who will be mesmerized to see giraffes, tigers, lions, zebras, hyaenas and chetaahs, as well as exotic birds and herds of herbivores from a close distance. Inside the park, there are various restaurant, a self service restaurant with children’s menu, kiosks and bars, picnic areas, as well as WC with changing tables. Pushchairs can be used on the comfortable field paths in the park, which also provides large shady areas. The Parco Natura Viva is open daily.

For visitors who are interested in plants, flowers and meadows, a visit to the Garden Park Sigurtà in Valeggio sul Mincio is a must! The site, awarded ‘most beautiful park in Italy‘, is a truly green oasis and an explosion of colours during the times of year the flowers are in bloom. The park is the ideal place to spend a day in touch with nature and its paths can be comfortably visited on foot, with the golf cart (available at the rental) or by bike (one’s own or a rental bike). Visitors can also go on board the mini railway or the electric shuttle bus. Furthermore, children’s urge to run about will certainly be satisfied! And even if the park offers bars with snacks and drinks, it would be a pity not to have a picnic in the park or in the roofed area of the Tà farm with its educational space entirely dedicated to families, where visitors can meet donkeys, sheep, goats, turkeys and ducks. The Parco Sigurtà is open during the summer holiday season.

WATERPARKS:Visitors can spend the summer days on Lake Garda on water slides and in swimming pools that have a similar layout to beaches and bathing establishments, surrounded by green parks and meadows. Those who visit the lake during the summer season are spoilt for choice on where to spend a relaxing and fun day in the water. Exciting slides, rubber dinghies, an oasis for baby pirates and numerous water games are the showpieces of Caneva World. This park, one of the largest waterparks on Lake Garda, offers services and attractions for all age groups, from the youngest visitors to the the most courageous and intrepid ones, who can enjoy themselves on the fast slides, swimming in the wave pool and jumping into the void. The Caneva Aquapark is also a beautiful place to simply sun-bathe – in comfort on one of the beaches with sunloungers (for a fee) or relaxing on the lagoon beach. >>

© - All rights reserved

And when you get hungry, the park’s restaurants offer food, drinks and snacks for every taste and pocket! In case of rain, the entrance ticket can also be used for the adjacent Movieland Park on the same day. There is another park on the eastern shore

of Lake Garda. Although it is smaller than Caneva, children can still spend wonderful days in the swimming pool here. The Rio Valli park, dedicated to families, offers slides and swimming pools for adults, while younger swimmers can feel the thrill of a slide into the water of the oasis created for them, with shallow water and small slides. On the southern lake shore, in Valeggio sul Mincio, there is Parco Cavour, one of the most popular parks among tourists and locals. The park is set among large lawns with shady areas, on which you are free to sunbathe. Attractions and swimming pools are organised according to age and interest, from the highest and fastest slides to sand lagoons that emulate a seascape. Cavour parks offers entertainment, sports programmes and ‘baby dance’. There are bars and restaurants, as well as picnic areas.

Close to Desenzano del Garda is the Le Ninfee Park, set in a green oasis with swimming pool, inflatable toys and a toddler area, as well as a pool with slides, a half-sized swimming pool and beach football, beach volley and basketball areas. There is even a lagoon with hydromassages for people to relax in! The park boasts restaurants with various cuisines, as well as a picnic area and entertainment. For visitors, parking in the adjacent carpark is free. The La Quiete Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Garda, in Lonato. Apart from swimming pools, green fields; five-a-side football, basket ball and beach volley areas; mini golf courses and ping pong tables, there is also a lake that lends itself to game-fishing. It therefore offers children the chance to become experienced anglers (the angling rod can be rented on site, but not the angling gear).

AMUSEMENT PARKS:Lake Garda and Gardaland are inseparably connected! Known as one of the best amusement parks in Europe, Gardaland is a real fun oasis for the entire family – just a few steps from Lake Garda, in Castelnuovo del Garda. Starting with the entrance, everything is designed to make the park accessible to all its visitors, with various services and offers to make the day at the park a pleasant one. Visitors with toddlers can use the parent-child-area inside the “Fantasy Kingdom“. Parents here find a a baby care room with a changing table and sink, bottle warmers, a napkin vending machine and a vending machine for baby food, milk, biscuits and snacks. There is also a room with children’s chairs and tables to ensure the tranquillity necessary during baby’s feeding. All of Gardaland can be visited with pushchairs, which can also be rented for a fee. The attractions are differentiated according to height and age – there is the perfect game for every child! And parents whose toddlers cannot go with them on an attraction, can make use of the baby switch service to take turns getting aboard without losing their place to someone while staying with their child … a great service for families! The park also boasts picnic areas, restaurants, self-service restaurants and pizzerias that are open all day and organised to avoid long queue or waiting times. One of the park’s newest attractions is “Prezzemololand” with various games for the youngest visitors and a castle with water slides. This area also provides “full-body drying booths” (for a fee) where visitors can dry themselves beneath the flow of warm air – if they get wet on the attraction! And if visitors are tired after leaving the park, they can board a beautiful, free electric mini railway that goes from Gardaland to the car parks and back.

When travelling with teenagers, the Movieland Park in Fossalta di Lazise is not to be missed! Emulating a film-studio, Movieland recreates sets and settings of famous films, transforming them into exciting attractions and enthralling shows. Furthermore the park does not lack for services aimed at families with children, from various restaurants and picnic areas to carparks within comfortable reach. Plenty of attractions, games and entertainment are offered throughout the day, making this park visit special. And to make it easier for visitors to choose attractions according to their age and interests, these are divided into three categories: family, adventure and action – in this way, visitors know what is waiting for them beforehand! Small dogs on a leash are allowed in both parks, as are medium-sized and big dogs with a muzzle. Gardaland and Movieland both boast an emergency medical service and an infirmary. During the day, visitors have access to cash machines. Visitors can leave and re-enter the park various times on the same day.

ADVENTURE PARKS:Adventure – yes … but with a safety net! This is the motto of the Bosco Park in Bosco Chiesanuova, which is among the first in Italy to use special snap hooks that can be taken off only at the end of the route. In this way, children can safely become small Indiana Jones!The park is set in the heart of the Lessinia region, a beautiful mountain region just outside Verona. It boasts 6 routes with various levels of difficulty, that are accessible to all children from 80 cm and up (baby route). Entrance to the park itself is free; only the routes incur a fee. Adults who accompany children can relax in the green forests of the Lessinia region, have a picnic at the tables in the picnic area or wait in the restaurant at the park entrance. A similar park, the Jungle Adventure Park, is located in San Zeno di Montagna. It boasts a baby route for children from the age of 3 and 4, routes with varying levels of difficulty for all ages groups and fitness levels. For those who do not wish to try out ropeways, lianas and jumps into the void, there are also two fitness trails with exercise equipment, as well as plants and flowers which are typical of the region above Lake Garda. The park also has a picnic area with wooden tables and chairs, as well as bars with WC. In Salò on the western shore of Lake Garda, the Rimbalzello Adventure Park offers the opportunity to spend an exciting and relaxing day. The park borders on a beach with swimming pool, sunbathing area and beauty parlour. Its “Adventure” area is open to children from the age of 4 and boasts 5 routes, each offering a different level of difficulty. Visitors can make use of all services offered by the Rimbalzello Sport Park, the adjacent beach and of the picnic area with tables and chairs. There are reductions for families with lots of children.

>>

© - All rights reserved

Family Holiday

In the Thermal Bath with ChildrenThermal baths have always stood for relaxation, wellbeing and tranquillity. For parents, it is not that easy to think

of a calm and quiet atmosphere when on holiday with their young children.

Which mom or dad has not dreamed of charging their batteries and taking a break from the draily grind – amidst

saunas, emotional showers, thermal and heated pools?

This dream can easily come true on Lake Garda! Various thermal centres on Lake Garda offer services and provide

special children’s areas, so that families can enjoy a day at the thermal bath.

The new “Garda Thermae” are situated in the North of Lake Garda, or in Arco. They get their water from the

Linfano spring - cold and low mineralized water that is high in fluorine and ideally suited for balneotherapy and

mineral-water treatment. The thermal complex houses a special indoor swimming pool for children where they

can have fun and get used to the water. Children and teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Inside the thermal bath there is a restaurant and a café with snacks and drinks.

In Santa Lucia di Pescantina in the heart of the Valpolicella area, halfway between Verona and Lake Garda, is the

“Aquardens” thermal park. Its salt water is high in sodium chloride, bromine, iodine, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Children must be accompanied by adults. There are several pools of varying height which young children can also

enter. As the pools are filled with warm thermal water, it is important to observe the bathing hours – especially

in the case of young children. The Aquardens also house restaurants, beauty parlours and spas. Visitors can also

rent towels and bathrobes on site.

On the western shore of Lake Garda are the famous Thermal baths of Sirmione that offer exclusive children’s

areas with playrooms and special inhalation machines for children. Children are admitted to the “Acquaria” ther-

mal wellness centre from two and a half years of age. Visitors are not allowed to bring drinks and food, but the

complex houses various restaurants.

© - All rights reserved

Family Holiday

Easy Bicycle RoutesThe Lake Garda area and its back country offer hundreds of kilometres of bicycle paths that vary in difficulty and are accessible to all, from families with children to trained cyclists.Lake Garda is a very popular travel destination with bicycle enthusiasts – partly because of its inherent natural beauty and the bicycle paths themselves, but first and foremost because of the understanding and attention shown to cyclists and their needs. It is no coincidence that recently accommodation facilities were restructured to meet the needs of cyclists, offering services with special attention to the families of cycle tourists that come in ever greater numbers to the shores of Lake Garda.A cycling holiday with children is an exciting way of getting to know this area, exploring the countryside (with places otherwise difficult to reach) and offering your entire family a nature holiday out in the fresh air. And for those who do not want to bring along their own bicycles, there are various bike rental options. Some of the accommodation facilities offer bicycles and bicycle equipment for people of all ages. There are a number of inns along the way that offer everything from a simple snack to a full lunch, and picnic areas.

Bicycle paths South of Lake GardaLake Garda is surrounded by easy bicycle paths, above all in the South. From Peschiera del Garda, you can easily cycle along the lake up to Garda and then further north, taking a few demanding climbs. You need to take care, especially with children, as there are a few points where the bicycle path crosses the busy Gardesana Orientale street. The western shore of Lake Garda also offers a series of easy bicycle paths and visitors can use the ferry service across the lake from some places (Toscolano Maderno – Torri del Benaco). Bicycle tour south of the Lake.

Mincio Bicycle PathThe asphalt bicycle path from Peschiera del Garda to Mantua was completed in 2006. It runs along one of the sides of the famous Quadrilatero defense system built by the Austrians in the first half of the 19th century. Find the start of the path on the right river bank in Peschiera del Garda. Then cross the river at the Salionze dyke, right before the town of Monzambano. Shortly afterwards, you catch sight of the Scaliger castle in Valeggio sul Mincio and then reach one of the most beautiful towns in Italy: Borghetto sul Minco is known for its water mills and the ruins of the Visconti bridge. From here, cycle along the river on to Pozzolo, from where another route takes you to Volta Mantovana. After a cycle of approximately 40 km through the plain you reach Mantua.

Biycle paths in the Moraine hillsThe Moraine hills surrounding the southern part of the lake offer various bicycle paths, more or less suitable for families. The new bicycle route through the hills of Custoza, inaugurated in 2014, is worthy of mention, as are the bicycle paths from Sirmione to Montichiari (up and down the hill), from Desenzano to San Martino della Battaglia, from Castiglione delle Stiviere to Pozzolo past the historic town of Solferino, the “Lake Garda Bicycle Path” (Ciclovia del Benaco) and many more. In general, the bicycle paths in this area can be subdivided into those of the so-called Upper Moraine Corridor and Lower Moraine Corridor.

Bicycle Paths North of Lake GardaThe Trentino lends itself to sports activities. From here, cycle tourists and mountain bikers can reach beautiful destinations. There is no lack of easy routes for the whole family, such as the bicycle path from Riva del Garda to Nago-Torbole, the Torbole-Sarche bicycle path that runs along the Sarca river or the path that links Riva del Garda to the Lago di Ledro.

© - All rights reserved