Desenzano - Lake Garda.

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Flanders.

Original Poster:

6,365 posts

207 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

I have booked a lovely 10 day break in Desenzano, Lake Garda, in early September.

The Hotel which we are staying in (Lido International FYI) has limited parking onsite and given that we are taking the BMW Z4 (Soft top) this is a bit of a concern as we planning on using the Car during our stay so may lose our space!

If we returned one evening and the Car park was full how safe would the Car be parked on the Street? Are there any decent Multi-Story/Underground Car parks in the town? If so how expensive are they?

I have read reports online that there is some Car Crime around the Lake and I would hate it if the Z4 was damaged/broken into.

On a separate note does anyone have any tips of must do things during our stay? I am thinking of hiring a Speed boat for a day biggrin.

Any help would be highly appreciated

Thanks in advanced.


chopper602

2,172 posts

222 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Don't think there is any multi storey or underground parking in the area, but been a few years since we've been. I don't think there would be much chance of car vandalism TBH.

Of course you'll have to walk down the peninsula to Sirmione, paddle in the hot springs on the shoreline and have some wonderful gelati
Not far to Verona which is a lovely city

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Without wanting to appear rude, a Z4 isn't exactly steal to order exotica, just don't leave anything like a coat or a bag visible inside - Maybe leave the glovebox open so people can see its empty, if it's really a big worry for you.

If your hotel's in a good area, I suspect the streets are probably pretty safe.

Lots of bus boats on the lake, so you won't need a car every day to explore places on the lake, although it's worth driving around too - Not far to the mountains (you'll come down through them I guess) or Verona or Venice (we did all three in one day staying in Venice - on the Lido - once), so plenty of decent opportunities for day trips.

Gorgeous place - I envy you - Actually maybe I'll suggest we go there in September/October too (back when I went - er hmmm - 20+ years ago, it was very quiet in late September (I went to escape the excesses of Oktoberfest in Munich! biggrin)

M

Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 10th January 16:02

Deesee

8,328 posts

82 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Hi we are normally in Salo In July enroute further south for August, not seen any kind of crime let alone vehicle crime.

They be plenty of “secure” parking available if you want to pay for it.

The hotel will direct you if you feel vulnerable, but I’m sure you’ll be fine when you get there.

There’s plenty of 6 figure boats left in the lake everyday untouched.

Just the 7 figure speedboats get lifted, cleaned and stored in the wharf!

Enjoy your trip! And the drive!

Edit..

Lots of speed boat hire (including captain too if you don’t have boat licence)..

Enjoy!




dancarro

64 posts

170 months

Wednesday 10th January 2018
quotequote all
We go here quite often and i never had anything happen with cars left on the street, just don't leave bags on show.

Great car to drive around in, and the drive up to Riva via Salo is fantastic - Should take an hour tops, stop off for lunch and then take the road up to Lago di Ledro from Riva, it has a tunnel up through the mountain that goes on and on and on and on etc.... Sounds great..

We always get a boat and it's about 300 euros for 4x hours with fuel for something decent, and Desenzano has a great place just in the marina. Just remember you won't get around the whole lake. From desezano its good to go up to Isola Del Garda where there is an ice cream boat (think ice cream van but on the water) and great views of an amazing property on a private island. Then go into the inlet towards Salo, Campoverde. on the left hand you will find small private beaches where you can anchor up and have a swim. then heading back (allow 90 minutes) head across to Garda this is lovely from the water and come back anticlock wise around the lake to Desezano port.

NOW - they always tell you you can fill the boat up with the same amount of fuel and return it at no charge, but i have NEVER found out how, where to do this with any degree of confidence so i just wright of what I think 4x hours flat out around the lake is going to cost and happily write it off. I have only had it once where they tried to make out we had used 200 euros of fuel, this was him using a stick with marks on dipped into the tank (seriously) to measure, but a quick rebuff,and it was all sorted.

In a day you can drive the lake easily and have a nice lunch in Garda, go up the mountain cable car at Monte Baldo then through Riva and have dinner in Salo or anywhere on the way, but Salo is a short drive back to base. Great day out.

If it rains get the train from Desezano to Venice - cheap and doesn't take too long on the train.

If its your thing, there is a water park (canevaworld), not really for me but the wife and kids love it and there are nice breakout sandy areas so i'm left with music and bags and beer, so i am well happy.

hmmmm going to look up flights now......

Flanders.

Original Poster:

6,365 posts

207 months

Monday 15th January 2018
quotequote all
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Very reassuring!

On a slightly separate note we plan to stop at Dijon or Troyes on the way down for the evening. Does anyone have any recommendations for a Alpine Pass which we can use on the way to Lake Garda, I was thinking about going over the Great St Bernard pass?


Deesee

8,328 posts

82 months

Monday 15th January 2018
quotequote all
The only thing id say is look at Dutch, German (etc) bank holidays they all travel south for them!! Lots of big cars pulling lots of big speedboats, makes busy roads!

Personally as I've mentioned on other threads I have personal places (we) like to stay now as we go this way a few times a year, and we stay not far from your destination.

French Auto Route are very drivable for long distances, however so are the autobahns!

Luxemburg and Germany can also fit your route (free roads & cheap fuel).

Personally we stay in south Black Forest or Jura (French Side not Swiss £££££) you've then got a few options then to break down the journey from Calais into 2 x 6 (ish) hour journeys, and your close enough to Switzerland to reach and navigate the passes (before lunch time) or major routes as they can get very busy, navigating Switzerland (fortunately) takes longer than it should (its beautiful).

You've also got the option to go via Brenner Pass (Austria).

Via Michelin is very useful, for plotting routes.

Google (for example) will send you via Mont Blanc (90E french toll + 45E TMB + 40E Aosta to Garda each way), and this is not mentioned as only time is.

Where as you can actually do your Journey for (circa) 9 euros via Germany/Austria

Tolltickets.com for pre purchased vignettes (Swiss/Austria), and rental beacons for the auto tolls for France/Italy Autoroutes/Autostrada (real time saver), I can personally recommend, especially if you wish to go through multiple tool booths such as Reims/Milan, and if your going to use them.

Pick your route, research the costs, as no one likes to spend 200/300e more each way and arrive at the same time!

mr pg

1,947 posts

204 months

Monday 15th January 2018
quotequote all
Flanders. said:
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Very reassuring!

On a slightly separate note we plan to stop at Dijon or Troyes on the way down for the evening. Does anyone have any recommendations for a Alpine Pass which we can use on the way to Lake Garda, I was thinking about going over the Great St Bernard pass?
You could also consider the Simplon pass, or my preference would be to combine the D902 (near Albertville), Col de Liseran, and Mt Cenis passes.