We started this adventure by buying a Porsche Macan S and picking up the car at the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen Germany… the road trip is now “official”.

This segment of the series is dedicated to our adventures while touring the Lago di Garda area in the Lake Country of Northern Italy.

The journey from Bolzano to Lago di Garda

We leave Bolzano for a direct two and a half hour drive to Lago di Garda. About an hour later we approach a major decision point and crossroads.

The autostrada became something of a bowl of spaghetti interchange providing routes to Milan, Verona, Trento, Bologna, and Venice, as well as dozens of other smaller cities.

As we approached this junction our main GPS just went on and off so we pull over to the side of the road and go to Plan B…our backup GPS which was provided by Porsche.

OK… who knows how to turn it on or, better yet, how to program it?

Let’s go to Plan C… the backup map pages we originally used to prepare for the trip months ago at home. What do you mean the page we need is missing?

Let’s go to Plan D… Google Maps on the cell phone. Than? No cellular connectivity?

We both looked at each other and quoted a famous line from a movie…something like… “What should we do now? PANIC.”

After a good laugh, we continued south. And, while we were driving, the main GPS miraculously came to life and we really were on the right track! Our traveling angels had enough fun, so they gave us a break.

lake garda

Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is approximately 31 miles long and 12 miles wide. The 99-mile shoreline surrounds a lake that is approximately 143 square miles in area…huge is an understatement.

Special moments in a tunnel

As we navigated the narrow roads through tunnel after tunnel along the shoreline of Lago di Garda, we found that the little space we had was causing us some stress. This stress was coming to a head when a large square-roofed truck headed toward us in a round-roofed tunnel. Hey… now he’s straddling the center strip and driving on our side of the road!

This is going to be close… how do you fold the mirrors to gain a little space? What button do you press? Where is the owner’s manual? We moved as far to the right as possible and braced ourselves for the possible impact… bye, nice new car! Maybe just a mirror?

We took a deep breath and gritted our teeth…once again, the invisible force field surrounding this car, and our traveling angels appeared as the truck passed inches, seriously, just inches away.

Benito Mussolini and Lake Garda

One of the most famous residents of Garda was the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who lived near the town of Gargnano. Mussolini’s personal residence and headquarters were established in the confiscated Villa Feltrinelli, which is situated directly on the lake shore with a sweeping view of the lake and mountains.

The villa was returned to the Feltrinelli family after World War II and eventually changed hands and in the 1990s became the Grand Hotel Villa Feltrinelli. You can also stay there for the starting price of $1,500 per night.

The Hotel Dimora Bolsone

We opted for a wonderful Bed & Breakfast on the hillside overlooking the town of Gardone Riviera. This 15th-century guest house is situated in a 20-acre park with stunning lake views. We even had covered parking next to a vintage Morgan.

Hotel Dimora Bolsone is owned and managed by a charming gentleman named Raffael. He was assisted by the very helpful and friendly Jessica and the lovely Sabrina. They represent the true essence of Italian hospitality and provided us with a wealth of local knowledge.

We were really lucky… when we made our reservation we didn’t realize that the B&B was an “agriturismo” property.

As such, they are required to produce at least 40% of everything they serve to their guests from their land… we enjoy their vegetables, herbs, eggs, wine, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chickens, rabbits, pigs. .. adding real meaning to the words “farm fresh”.

Exceptional dining with Chef Marko

All meals were perfectly prepared and the presentation was excellent. And you could split any of the starters allowing us the opportunity to taste new delicacies and not go overboard.

Gardone Riviera and Gabriele D’Annunzio

When we planned this trip we had no idea who Gabriele D’Annunzio was or his connection to Gardone Riviera. But all that changed after our visit to his museum-turned-residence he called “Vittoriale degli Italiani (The Sanctuary of Italian Victories)”.

This hillside estate was home to the famous Italian politician, war hero, and charismatic leader. As a true “Renaissance Man”, he was an artist, poet, journalist, playwright and one of the most popular and controversial Italian writers of the 20th century.

Another part of his lore was the result of his many legendary affairs with high-profile women. It may have been attributed to his extravagant lifestyle or the possibility that his famous erotic literature caught his attention.

As a warrior he became a legend due to his daring and daring actions. When he returned from the war he was an international hero and had been awarded one gold medal, five silver medals, one bronze medal and the officer’s cross of the Military Order of Savoy. He even got the Military Cross of Great Britain. They are all on display in the museum and the tour was fantastic.

In summary

We are now in a totally relaxed mode and the travel-induced stress has faded…or is it the wine?

We want to introduce a series format change to focus on special side trips in one destination.

Follow us in the next article…

Exit Ahead — Exploring the Roman Ruins of Lago di Garda.

After all, what’s the rush… get inspired.

© 2016 Inspired Travel Itineraries with Bob and Janice Kollar