Between lake and mountain: Lazise and Malcesine

On the eastern shore of Lake Garda there are some of the most fascinating historic centres of the entire Garda basin, and among these Lazise and Malcesine represent two almost complementary stages, united by their medieval fortifications but unique in their own way in terms of atmosphere and landscape. The former still preserves the layout of the ancient village enclosed within the Scaliger walls and with its paved alleys leading to the old port and the long lakeside promenade. Arriving there just before sunset, perhaps on board a boat, one can see the most evocative face of Lazise, with its pastel-coloured façades reflected in the water and the small outdoor tables that welcome residents and visitors alike for the ritual of an aperitif. A few kilometres further north, the landscape gradually changes and the hills give way to the pre-alpine reliefs, with Garda seemingly adapting its appearance to this change. Malcesine is the point where the lake and the mountains meet most clearly, and marking its picture-postcard profile is the Scaligero Castle, which houses evidence of local history and a section dedicated to Johann Wolfgang Goethe's passage through these parts. A peculiarity of this village is also the possibility of ascending in less than half an hour to an altitude of 1,760 metres on Monte Baldo thanks to the cableway that leaves from the town centre: once up, the panoramic view that embraces a large part of the lake is magnificent and accompanies trekking enthusiasts on a vast array of itineraries to explore one of the most interesting natural environments in northern Italia.