Cruising around and through Europe Part 48: Lake Garda part 2 and on the way to Lake Como
Continuing our evening cruise, we passed by the Grottoes of Catullus (first two photos), the name given to the ruins of a Roman villa built between the end of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD at the northernmost end of the Sirmione peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The archaeological complex, which always remained uncovered over time, has been the subject of academic research since the 15th century. Today, it is the most valuable testament of the Roman period in Sirmione's territory and an exceptional find of a Roman villa in northern Italy.
A Different Hotel and a drive through Sirmione: After a wonderful cruise on Lake Garda to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary, we walked back to the hotel we had originally reserved. They had found us a room at Hotel Olivi. However, the hotel was farther out on the peninsula where Sirmione is located and they had parking. That resulted in another cart ride back to the parking lot and then me driving the rental car into the ZTL, through the Scaliger Castle and the narrow streets of Sirmione to the hotel. Fortunately, it was later and there weren’t as many people. However, it was still challenging and we were not really certain about how to get to the hotel. I folded the side mirrors to enable driving past pedestrians with only a few inches of clearance on either side in many places. We made it through the castle and past the many shops and then to the hotel without hitting anybody. Probably the most unique drive I’ve ever done. After that and the drive from Venice, I was confident I could drive anywhere in Europe, enough so that I drove a rental car all over Italy for a month the following (last) year. The Olivi was a very nice hotel, nice enough that we stayed there again i.
After a good night’s sleep, we had a great breakfast at the hotel and then it was time for the 2 hour drive to Lake Como. After missing the Lake Garda turnoff and a harrowing drive through Sirmione on the way to the hotel using paper maps, I activated the European data plan on my phone and we used the GPS to navigate through Sirmione to Lake Como. It was still a challenge driving through Sirmione, but overall it went smoothly.
Last photo: I had planned to stop at Monza (the Temple of Speed and home of the Italian Grand Prix) on our way to Lake Como. However, we only rented the car for one day and we got away a little later than planned, it would have added another day to the car rental charge plus possible late fees and we were anxious to get to Lake Como, so we skipped it. We got there the following year (last year) though.
My previous post can be found at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-805174-1.html, while the first post of this series (that includes a map of all of the places where we stopped) can be found at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-801137-1.html Next up: The rest of the drive to Lake Como
The Grotte di Catullo and Jamaica Beach
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The Grotte di Catullo and Jamaica Beach
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Continuing our cruise back to the Scaliger Castle
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Back at the castle
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Walking back to find out where we were going to spend the night
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Sirmione and Lake Garda from our balcony
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From our balcony before leaving for Lake Como
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Lemons for lemonade as we’re ready to drive off
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Lemonade for the drive to Lake Como; very refreshing!
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The exit I REALLY wanted to take
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The map from Lake Garda to Lake Como.
More beautiful work, Dennis!
Thanks John; I appreciate the triple thumbs up.
UTMike wrote:
More beautiful work, Dennis!
Thank you Mike, I appreciate it.
Another great set of images Dennis.
Don
Excellent set and narrative Dennis. I love the first two!
PAR4DCR wrote:
Another great set of images Dennis.
Don
Thank you Don, I appreciate it.
srfmhg wrote:
Excellent set and narrative Dennis. I love the first two!
Thank you Mark. We wanted to explore the ruins on our 2023 visit to Sirmione, but just didn't have time. I guess we'll have to go back.
I was there the summer of 1983...Julian
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