Lake Garda - Alpine Romance and Mediterranean Dolce Vita

Bella Italia! My journey begins with a breathtaking panoramic view from my hotel room over the turquoise-blue waters of Lake Garda. The cozy Garda Hotel Forte Charme is a dream accommodation, just a 10-minute walk from the old town of Torbole and the lakefront. Before dinner, our tour guide introduces us to the itinerary for the coming days. I start getting to know my fellow travelers – they all seem really friendly! After the delicious welcome dinner, I head to bed relatively early because we have an exciting day ahead tomorrow. (D)

Before I know it, I’m on an e-bike for the first time, cycling along the shores of Lake Garda. There’s hardly any physical effort involved – it feels like having a constant tailwind the entire way. While the mountain bikers are working up a sweat, I can fully enjoy the ride around the lake without a care. The atmosphere in our group is cheerful and lively, and the sun is shining brightly from a clear blue sky. Soon, we follow the Sarca River through vineyards and olive groves. Passing the castle and climbing rocks of Arco, we leisurely ride through the lunar-like landscape of the Marocche until we reach the Vino Santo wine region. The old doors of a wine cellar are already open for us, and the tables are set with regional specialties and fine wines. What a feast! Recharged and well-rested, we continue our cycling tour – riding along Lake Cavedine back to our hotel. Altogether, we’ve covered an impressive 45 km today! (B,L)

After a wonderfully peaceful night, today’s cycling stage takes us northward. Crossing the Passo San Giovanni, we reach the lush biotope of Lake Loppio, which nowadays only rarely fills with water. Following the wine route to Isera, we stop at one of the many wineries along the way. Passing through the charming town of Rovereto, we reach Volano and the impressive Castel Pietra, dating back to the 12th century. The panoramic view from the proud castle as we enjoy our snack – simply priceless! Well-fueled, we continue our ride back to our accommodation.  (B,L)

During the ferry ride across the deep blue Lago di Garda to Malcesine, I let my soul unwind. From afar, I can already spot the towering Scaliger Castle, majestically overlooking the pastel-colored mansions below. Here, we hop on our bikes and cycle along the slopes of Monte Baldo through olive groves, always accompanied by breathtaking views of the lake. The route takes us further into Val di Sogno – the "Dream Valley" – which truly lives up to its name. The final stretch of today’s cycling tour, covering approximately 35 km, leads us along the lake back to Malcesine. Here, we enjoy not only a delightful stroll through the charming old town but also a delicious pizza, fresh from the oven. We take the boat back to Torbole. (B,L)

On the final day of our tour, we ride along the lakeshore path to Riva del Garda. From here, we cycle uphill toward Lake Tenno. But thanks to the e-bike, it feels like going downhill – I still can't believe it! I can only imagine how much the mountain bikers must be sweating. After a cappuccino break, we take hidden side roads to reach the picturesque village of Canale di Tenno, with its narrow cobbled alleys, archways, and charming courtyards. Our guide has a secret tip: a hidden countryside inn where we enjoy a picnic filled with delicious specialties from Trentino. Refreshed and full of energy, we ride through the old streets, which open up to breathtaking panoramic views of the blue waters of Lake Garda. Absolutely stunning! Passing through Tenno and Frapporta, we cycle downhill to Riva del Garda. After 40 km in the saddle, we truly deserve our reward – a classic Italian gelato from a well-known gelateria. Then, we head back to the hotel. Thanks to the e-bike, I hardly notice the difficulty of the route and complete it effortlessly. (B,L,D)