LAKE GARDA

Returning to the Verona shore, the boat coasts along Cassone. Here, from a rock in the gardens of the Villa Rizzardi, flows a spring of water called Ri, which in turn forms a small lake before rushing into Garda after a brief 150 meter run. Continuing along the face of the steep rocks of the Brescia shore - which support the Tignale and Tremosine basins - and beyond the small peninsula with the town "Val di Sogno", rests Malcesine. Situated on the slopes of the Baldo mountain chain, it is the most important center on the eastern shore. This popular resort town, located in part along the banks of the Lake and in part along the slopes, has been frequented by such illustrious personalities as Goethe. At Lakeshore there are hotels and cafe's, then further up is the town's historical nucleus crowned by the Castello (castle) constructed by the Scaligeri in the 13th century and a rocky spur by the Lake. Modified in the 17th century, the castle has various crenellated constructions on which stands the high donjon - host of a museum of ancient weapons, archeological finds and relicts from Italy's "Risorgimento" period. Another must-see is the 16th century town hall, Palazzo dei Capitani; for two centuries this Venetian Renaissance style palace was host to the magistrates in charge of border defence. A cable-way from the town brings you up to the Tratto Spino (1780 meters), a popular winter stop on Mount Baldo connected between the summit of Mount Altissimo (2087 meters) and the summit of the Pozzette (2128 meters). Almost in front of Malcesine, on the opposite shore, Campione del Garda is visible. An example of working class residences with late 19th century barrack-like structures, it is connected to a cotton-spinning mill which since 1930 has been accessible only by Lake.