Dear #YESWEEKEND friends, we promised you and here we are: after taking you with us on the virtual tour of Desenzano , the town where Ross lives, today we move to another place which, as we anticipated, deserves a separate article because it's incredible and full of beautiful things to see and do!
We are talking about Sirmione ! Have you ever been there? Did you know that, actually, many Italians have never visited it?
Look at the photos from above: it looks like an enchanted island lost in thin air, but instead it is a peninsula on Lake Garda just two hours from Milan and just over an hour and a half from Venice.
You have to know who Sirmione is one of the most romantic and evocative villages of all of Italy: think that, to enter the heart of the country, you have to cross the drawbridge of the Scaliger Castle , a marvel!
What see
Once you arrive in the historic center, you will find yourself catapulted into a pedestrian area with narrow streets cute shops , very good restaurants And medieval glimpses to photograph.
There's always a weird one holiday atmosphere so much so that, since ancient times, Sirmione was chosen as a destination to enjoy happy days of rest.
The poet Catullus he stayed there for a long time, so much so that the Grotte di Catullo , which are actually the remains of a Roman villa that we strongly advise you to visit (there is also a park with wonderful centuries-old olive groves!) are named after him. Especially in this season, it's best to book your place online, so you won't have to queue and, to get there, you can also take the red train that passes every 3 minutes in front of the spa.
Also Maria Callas he loved Sirmione: his Villa is still there (it cannot be visited) and it is dedicated to her a park where you can lie down in the greenery in the shade of the trees to relax 'lake view'.
What to do
A day at Terme Aquaria : these are spas with hot water pools that directly overlook the lake, unmissable at sunset to enjoy a unique show directly… soaking!
You can get there with a nice walk of about 10 minutes from the castle and, in addition to relaxation, they are also excellent for targeted treatments. Indeed, they follow protocols validated by dermatologists and exploit the natural resources of the place, contained in the properties of thermal water .
PS: if you are a couple, you can't get lost the suite with a Jacuzzi tub to have you massaged by candlelight, accompanied by a bottle of champagne, strawberries and chocolate fondue…
Go to Jamaica Beach (and take #YESWEEKEND photos with our Mini Box!) : it seems to be in Sardinia, green and transparent waters and flat stones that enter the lake ... Instead you are at Jamaica beach, a real must for locals and now also for tourists (better to go early to find a place!). The ideal is to get there by boat and it's not impossible: you can rent it for a day with a 'driver' who will stop and let you swim! Alternatively, you can choose panoramic mini cruises to take a nice tour of the coast with Sirmione Boats !
An excursion to the Isola dei Conigli: not far from Sirmione there is a special island full of… white bunnies , now accustomed to the presence of man! Is called San Biagio Island but everyone knows it as Isola dei Conigli: a small paradise that deserves a visit.
Where sleep
Hotel Olivi Thermae & Natural Spa : a delightful family-run hotel with attention to every detail and in a strategic position. There is also a Spa to indulge in beautiful treatments and massages, as well as a dip in the pool.
Villa Pioppi : a 1900s house facing the lake with a sun terrace for complete relaxation. Take note: they do too a great pizza served on the veranda!
Where to eat
Where to eat
La Rucola 2.0 : in the historical centre, it is the perfect restaurant for a special dinner and super romantic. One Michelin star, it's not cheap (I'm counting on 100 euros each) but it's really worth it. The foods are served in artistic and particular dishes such as sculptures and much more but we won't tell you so as not to spoil the surprise... We tried the seafood tasting menu: a fairy tale!
Antonella fish shop: we have already told you about it in the article on Desenzano but we are already towards Sirmione, so we remind you of this real fish market which, in the evening, turns into a small restaurant serving very fresh fish! (the raw ones are a bomb)
Marco and Daniela Time : it's not really in Sirmione but very close, in Peschiera. It is one of Ross and Scozz's favorite places, you will have seen it very often in their stories! They are very strong for gourmet sandwiches, but also chopping boards, salads... for a quick lunch, but one that doesn't give up on quality!
The place of the heart
We will be nostalgic, we may be trivial but for us it is… Gardaland! It is located near Sirmione, a Castelnuovo del Garda and it is the must of all the children who grew up here, it is just a memory of our childhood. How did the song do? “Children's dream is to go to Gardaland!”. It has suffered a lot due to the pandemic, think of how many people have been left out of work... In the summer season it reopens following all the safety procedures (again, it is better to book online so as not to queue). It's a wonderful experience for both adults and children, there are many attractions, games, colours, food… a dive into fun!
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