Spring

Spring is a delightful season thanks to its mild climate, a flourishing nature, friendly bright days,  gentle vineyards, the imposing mountain panorama of Monte Baldo, the bucolic silhouettes of the small towns, villages and churches, and beautiful villas on the lake shore.
Lake Garda is the northernmost territory where it is possible to grow olive and lemon trees. This particularity is reflected in the landscape that features characteristic terraced gardens where there are also cultivated orange, mandarin and cedar trees. It is the most Mediterranean lake among the Italian Alpine ones and boasts a lush vegetation: cypresses, palm trees, oleanders and the bougainvillea, whose purple flowers cover the house walls giving the towns colourful touches.

From March to June air temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees, only courageous people dare the cold water, when its temperature is about 9-12 degrees. In June, when the water temperature rises to 16 to 24 degrees, a bath in the lake is much more pleasant.

The spring climate allows for excursions by mountain bike, city bike, quad or simply on foot. But it  also invites to have wine tastings and guided visits to oil mills, museums and farms. This season is just perfect to take part in one of the many food & wine events that are organised in this area, like the “Fish & Chef” gourmet evening and the “Palio del Chiaretto” in Bardolino. Two happenings that celebrate excellent local products like fish, oil, wine and many more. In April, the “Fish & Chef” event gathers the big chefs of the international cuisine on the lake in order to prepare original dishes made from the region’s excellent produce, especially freshwater fish and the fine meat of Garronese Veneta beef. The “Palio del Chiaretto” contest introduces the new production of the Bardolino Chiaretto Doc wine, the rosè wine that is made from the same grapes as the Bardolino red wine.
During the event, a music and entertainment programme enlivens the old town while curious visitors and wine lovers enjoy their tastings.

The pleasant temperatures and the absence of humidity attract many athletes to the lake, especially cyclists and off-road fans.
The “MTB Garda Marathon” and the “Cycle Marathon of the Town of Garda” are two of the main sport events that take place during springtime.
The races start in Garda, climb the Monte Baldo slopes and lead back to Garda to the finish line. Spring is also the time of cultural and musical events on the lake, thanks to occasions like “Parole sull’Acqua”, a festival that invites famous authors, writers and journalists to present their latest works and to discuss historical and current subjects.

Last but not least, the “O Live Jazz Fest”, a festival linking Jazz music, regional specialities, tourism and solidarity in the spectacular setting of the antique sixteenth-century Corte Torcolo, today’s seat of the local DOP oil consortium. Spring evenings with some of the most interesting artists of the Italian and Northern European jazz scene, with particular attention to issues like  accessibility and inclusion.