Sirmione
After a twenty minute ride, Sirmione is the first stop. The town is situated on a long and narrow peninsula which on to the lake for almost four kilometers. This was the home of Catullo, whose verses were inspired by these places. Today this area, with its numerous Roman villas, is considered an archeological zone. The "Grotte di Catullo" (Catullo Grottos), situated at the tip of the peninsula, is the most well-known complex. Here lie the ruins of the foundation of a grand residence from the imperial age, the largest in Northern Italy at 240 meters long and 105 meters wide. Preserved in its Acquarium are the various findings and a full documentation on the excavations. The center of the town and the shores of Sirmione are dominated by Rocca Scaligera, a solid defensive structure with crenellated walls, tower and donjons. Entirely surrounded by water and equipped with a wet dock (one of the rare examples left), Rocca Scaligera was erected as a garrison and a landing for the Scaligera fleet by Mastino I della Scala, a gentleman from Verona in the 13th century. Entering from the draw-bridge, it is possible to visit the Roman and medieval lapidary where archeological findings of the zone have been collected. Thermal baths are another town attraction. Their waters come from the bottom of the Lake at a depth of 18 meters and temperature of 60 C. Departing from Sirmione, the boat turns its prow towards the western shore following a route which allows us to admire First is Punta del Vò, then the vast Golfo di Padenghe where the Lido di Lonato and the Valtenesi expand. A hilly area in the immediate lacustral inland, it spreads out to the Golfo di Salò and the traditionally cultivated vineyards. Padenghe, an agricultural and residential center which has preserved, in part, the structure of a fortified medieval village, is dominated by the remains of the Castello (castle), a 10th century polygonal enclosure with squared towers. Just nearby in Moniga, another agricultural and tourist center. Its castle is endowed with angular cylindrical towers and 15th century towers with belfries.