Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
forces. This episode, known as the Republic of Salò, saw more than 16 public and private
buildings in the town commandeered and turned into Mussolini's ministeries and offices.
Strolling between the sites is a surreal tour of the dictator's doomed ministate. The tourist
office has an English-language map and booklet featuring significant locations.
It's not often that you get to explore a private island in the company of its aristocratic
owners, but you can at the tiny, comma-shaped
Isola del Garda
( 328 384 92 26;
www.isoladelgarda.com
;
tour incl boat ride €25-30; Apr-Oct)
just off Salò. The sumptuous neo-
Gothic Venetian villa is owned by Contessa Cavazza, and your visit is likely to be guided
by a member of her family. The two-hour tour takes in a clutch of opulent rooms, some
with a disarming real-life family feel.
Boats to Isola del Garda depart from Salò, Gardone Riviera, Garda and Sirmione, but
they only leave each location once or twice a week. On your return to Salò, nab a lakeside
table at
Ristorante Papillon
( 0365 4 14 29;
www.ristorantepapillon.it
; Lungolago Zanardelli 69/70;
pizza €8-14; 8am-10pm Tue-Sun; )
for surprisingly good thin-crust pizza.
Salò is a good place to base yourself. Why not check in to Mussolini's former Foreign
Ministry the Villa Simonini, which has now been converted into the lovely
Hotel Laurin
(
0365 2 20 22;
www.laurinhotelsalo.com
;
Viale Angelo Landi 9; d €155-250;
)
.
Gardone Riviera
POP 2700
Gardone's glory days were in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today the resort's
opulent villas and ornate architecture make it one of the lake's most elegant holiday spots.
About 12km north of Gardone is
Gargnano
(population 3050), a tiny harbour that fills with
million-dollar yachts come September when sailing fans gather for the
Centomiglia
, the
lake's most prestigious sailing regatta.
The
tourist office
(
0365 374 87 36; Corso della Repubblica 8;
9am-12.30pm & 2.30-6pm
Mon-Sat)
stocks information on activities.
Sights
Il Vittoriale
degli Italiani
MUSEUM
