Lake Garda - Day 3 (The mountain goat!)

[london1967]

The plan for the first part of the day was visiting the castle that dominates the town of Arco, where we were staying.
As you can see, it looks rather impressive and it's in a fantastic position at the top of a steep hill





Arco is not by the lake but not far, and its climate still benefits from its influence. The path going up to the castle is in an olive grove, something you wouldn't normally see at this latitude in nothern Italy.
You have some lovely views of the town and you can even spot the northernmost point of the lake on the right side of that rock




Adrian on a panoramic glass balcony:


I managed to make it inside the castle walls where we stopped for a drink at the cafe' on the lawn









After our pick-me-up we did try to carry on the climb to the main tower but it was just too steep and unsafe for me, and we had to give up!

So we walked back downhill (which for me, on crutches, felt way more dangerous), we got in our car and drove to Malcesine on the western shore of Lake Garda.

From Malcesine 2 funivie (cable cars) take you 1650 m (about 5400 ft) up Monte Baldo



Unfortunately as the day was gorgeous, half of Deutschland with a sprinkling of people from many other countries were queueing up for the ride.
We queued for about 75 minutes before we got in the first cable car!
The second cable car is a bit larger so no more queueing at the intermediate station. Its cabins rotate on themselves which means that no matter where you're standing in the cabin, you'll see everything (provided of course that you're not too short or you may just admire someone's armpit for the entire journey).



When we got to the top, we were in dire need of a sit down and some food.
We had a caprese on the terrazza panoramica.



From here, the view is quite spectacular. The lake and the mountains surrounding it. But you cannot see the northern part of Garda.
So I had the brilliant idea of walking to that little hill on the right you see in this picture




Of course the trouble is that distances are quite deceiving.. I think we walked for about 45 minutes going and 45 coming back!
Other people had those trekking sticks, I had my trusted crutches!
I don't know, I felt quite exhilarated to be up there with that fantastic view. The mountains are, after all, in my DNA.
Adrian said that I was a mountain goat in every sense, meaning that I was stubborn (I prefer 'determined'). But - bless him - he wasn't crossed with me for long!

And yes we did manage to see the northern part of the lake:

We could even see the castle of Arco.

Here are a few of my favourite pictures from Monte Baldo. I know that they are many but I just couldn't choose!
(unfortunately my compact camera has 'spots' again. oh well!)

















Going back to Malcesine on the cable car involved another queue but much, much shorter.

Down in Malcesine, we visited the town centre. Quite touristy but nonetheless very charming.



We visited the castle (another one that belonged to the Veronese Della Scala) but sadly I couldn't climb the tower. (Sometimes I am sensible!)
Still we had some lovely views of the lake from the bastions and out of the windows.










(No, Adrian didn't feel a thing! LOL)

The castle was also being used for a wedding photo shoot.



That evening we had been invited to dinner by Mario and Walter, the owners of the B&B, back in Arco, but as we were starving we had some crostini with a Crodino in a bar/restaurant near the water



and we watched the sun (here seen from the castle earlier)



disappear behind the mountains



Arrivederci Lago di Garda! And thank you for the lovely memories.

Comments

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Another wonderful trip, Franco! You guys must be two of the best travelled I know. It's always lovely to follow your adventures.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Well maybe when it comes to Italy but we don't really go to any exotic or far-away places!

Thank you Mark! I'm glad you enjoy the posts.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I have run out of superlatives for your photos! I can't even tell you how much I love the photos of the fog descending on to the lake or especially the picture of the boat with the old man and the boy!!

So wonderful and thanks again for taking the time to share your pictures with us!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you very much Neil! They are amongst my favourites too.

I'm so glad that you are enjoying the photos.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Those are amazing photos!!

WOW!!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much Jerry!

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

There is not enough tea in the Queen's cupboard to get me out on that ledge. No sir, no way, no how!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

And for all the tea in China?

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

I don't speak Chinese. :)

[ursine1.livejournal.com]

You were lucky to have such great weather. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to get around on crutches on a stormy day. Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos.

Chuck

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Yes it would be very hard indeed. Plus no point in going up on the cable car, if the weather's not good.

Thank you Chuck. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

[bobalone.livejournal.com]

Lovely scenery, as usuall, especially the views of the misted landscape. How great that you can travel again.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Yes, the trip did wonders for my morale!