Mum's gone to Italy - Lake Garda - Tellytubbyland

This year's summer holiday caused a bit of disagreement in the Burgess household. I was adamant I didn't want the adrenalin hit of Iceland in 2007 nor the satnav frustrations of the fly-drive round Canada of 2008. Don't get me wrong, both holidays were fantastic in their own right but this year I didn't want any stress. I wanted a normal two weeks in the sun lolling about. No car: just a transfer bus with lots of other lazy Brits like me and a squeaky-voiced rep, clipboard in hand, directing me to coach number 43 and promising me an over-diluted complimentary cocktail at the Welcome Meeting. Ah, yes, the simple pleasures of the package holiday!.

Hubby was still up for a bit of adventure and was keen on the Italian Dolomites: hiking up the hills with a bunch of Happy Wanderers. I wasn't keen, so cleverly persuaded him that the Italian Lakes might be a better option. Lake Garda is located between Venice and Milan, just South of the Dolomites, but the fact that mountains surround the lake means it has a very mediterranean-like climate and vegetation. The towns around Lake Garda have history, culture and are extremely pretty. An ideal compromise I thought. It was left to me to do all the booking so I plumped for the town of Bardolino, staying at the Parc Germano apartments

When we get on bus number 43 at Verona airport we are met by smiley Jake, our rep. He regales us with stories about the impressive castles around the lake which were constructed by the Scaligeri dynasty who made their fortune in ladders. Fancy that. For the 40 minute transfer to Bardolino I am happy in my vegetative state and even control-freak hubby allows himself to be hustled onto the bus and leave his wish for independence safely at home. We spotted some hiking-booted, scratchy-socked people at the airport and thankfully didn't have to join them in the queue for the hire car.

There is much talk from Jake on the bus about how Lake Garda looks like a witch's hat. Other say it is similar to a violin. Please!!! Are they looking at the same map? I'm sorry but we're all evading the obvious here: Lake Garda is most definitely phallic. Plain and simple. Our lovely town of Bardolino is in the testicular region!

Our hotel complex is unlike anything else around the lake. Whereas other hotels look very Austrian and ski-chalet-ish, ours is a new eco-friendly resort, designed to blend into the surroundings. It looks like Tellytubbyland! All green undulating hillocks and little paths, low level bungalows built into the hillside with grassed and shrubbed flat-roofs. From the top of the resort you can look across to the lake and have no clue that there are apartments hidden beneath. Our apartment iss on two floors so from the upstairs balcony we have a gorgeous view of the lake and the mountains.

Hubby manages a quick run to the mini-market - "Take your rucksack love, then you'll feel like you're on a hike..." I quip.

He returns with milk, pastries, some ham and a bottle of Bardolino wine. The local plonk, at around three quid a bottle, is heavenly, and sets us up nicely for a walk into town. Dinner at a lovely restaurant on the harbour-front (6 euros for a yummy pizza) and all thoughts of trekking up the mountains start to drift away.
Published Date:11/08/2009
Modified Date:11/08/2009