Lugerac around the world: 4 days in la bella Italia

Rainy day in March. My summer holiday seems so far away. I remember that this year I’m celebrating 5 years since I finished my Erasmus adventure in Trieste. And what better reason to plan a short vacation? Said and done. I asked my best friend if she wants to drink a Hugo with me on the shores of Lake Garda 😊. In less than 2 hours we set the route: Bergamo – Sirmione – Lago di Garda – Verona, purchased the tickets and chose the accommodation.

So … after a 2-hour flight, here we are in a sunny morning in a spring on Orio al Serio Airport. From the bus station that leads directly to Citta Alta, we could easily see the city that hosted us for just one day.

Bergamo – Citta Alta

Citta Alta di Bergamo is one of those small cities that, in general, are underrated by tourists, but which one you must visit it if you search for the real Italian charm. I admit that I expected to see a simple town, just another place to transit between destinations. Once I entered the fortress, I felt like I was in another world and I got lost in the narrow streets, moving from one piazza to another, crossing the arcades and tunnels, tasting all their sweets from bakeries and pastries.

What to do in Bergamo?

Visit Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore (1137);
Taste Bergamo’s unique Italian cake – polenta e osei;
Take a nice funicular ride to the Castello di San Vigilio. The ticket price is about 1.5. euro/person. This is the second funicular in Bergamo (after the one built 120 years ago who is linking the lower city to the top city) and travels over a distance of 1.4 km;
Enjoy and refresh with the very best ice cream Italy has to offer. Where? In Piazza Vecchia, the meeting place for local people after school or after work;
Drink your morning coffee and enjoy the spectacular view of the city.

Citta Alta | Entro le Mura

Citta Alta | Piazza Vecchia & Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore

Il dolce far niente a Sirmione – Lago di Garda

After a few hours of discovering the city and a night spent at B&B Entro le Mura – a building full of history – we continued our journey to another fairy place which would soon become our favorite holiday destination. Sirmione, known as the pearl of the islands and peninsulas, is one of the most beautiful and peaceful resorts on Lake Garda, a magical place full of color, culture and positive energy. If you choose to spend here your summer holiday, you will think that you are in a city in Germany 😊.

What to do in Sirmione?

Lose yourself among the walls of Scaligero Castle, a fortified medieval harbor located just at the entrance to the historical city center;
Lake Garda cliffs – the perfect place to see the sunset;
Enjoy a relaxing day in one of the 2 thermal resorts: Terme di Catullo (in the historical city center of Sirmione) or Terme di Virgilio (in Colombare village). The sulfuric water you will find here comes directly from the bottom of the lake;
Drink an espresso at one of the lakeside terraces and enjoy the spectular view of Monte Baldo;
Practice one or more nautical activities; windsurf, water skiing, diving. You can also take a walk along Lake Garda with one of the sailboats that you will find it here all year.

Sirmione | Lago di Garda & Castello Scaligero

Sirmione | Hotel International

I found my love in Verona

Because I liked so much Sirmione, I decided to stay here for 2 nights, so I could visit Verona, considering it was only 40 km away and I couldn’t miss this opportunity. So, early in the morning, I went discovering the most famous love stories and I left there in love with the beautiful colours that Verona wears.

What to do in Verona?

Get your most comfortable shoes and walk through Piazza Bra. Here you can see some of the Verona’s attractions: Philharmonic Academy, Philharmonic Theater, Central Garden, Barbieri Palace;
Imagine fighting the gladiators in the Roman Arena (the largest amphitheater in northern Italy);
Leave a lock of love under Juliet’s balcony;
Feel the vibrant atmosphere on Via Mazzini and admire all the mesmerizing windows;
Walk through the Piazza Erbe where you can find souvenirs shops, relax next to one of the artesian fountains and enjoy a piano recital;
Cross Ponte Scaligero and go visit Castellvecchio, built in 1354 as a residential palace and military bastion.