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Dear In Italy Online,
 
We have finally settled back into our daily routine after a super trip to Italy in April. 
We flew into Verona via Rome (It is interesting to note that we loaded and unloaded via stairs from the plane and then boarded buses to the terminals.) The next two nights were spent at Albergo Lenno on Lake Como. Highly recommended! A bit pricey, but worth the visit. Right outside our hotel was a boat station where you could pick up a ferry to anywhere on Lake Como. We had a room that had a balcony that overlooked the most spectacular view! Snow-capped mountains, the lake, and the houses and churches that dotted the hillsides. Beautiful! The cafe down the street was perfect for late afternoon lunch and the homemade pasta was superb. We took a ferry to Bellagio. It was a hydroplaned ferry and quite zippy! Bellagio had many side "streets" (More like cobbled walkways with very wide steps that were easy to climb.) We entered several shops and one in particular was very interesting. It was a wine tasting shop where you could pay for a card that you inserted in a slot above a wine you wanted to taste. The shopkeeper, Lorenzo, was very nice and could speak English fairly well. Needless to say we left with 4 bottles that we had throughout the trip. (We had picked up some simple wine glasses while in Verona at a sort of department/grocery store. Well worth it.....who wants to sip wine out of plastic cups when you are viewing such incredible sights?)

The next 3 nights were spent in Desenzano at Lake Garda. We stayed at Castello Belvedere. Again, a view you only dream of....and the owner, Mauro, is a character. He is quite helpful if you are looking for a grocery store, place to eat or any kind of touristy questions. We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment/ condo with a terrace overlooking the infinity pool, Lake Garda, the mountains and the surrounding town. We spent one day just relaxing and enjoying the view. Highly recommend the restaurant next door. (As I had read on your site from others, it was great food, atmosphere and a warm, friendly staff). The restaurant is family run at a farm. We ate all but one meal there and made some nice aquaintances. Our waitress knew some English, but at times she had us playing pictionary, which was quite creative! Our 13 year old son loved that. It got so when we came in they knew what we wanted (ie. to drink). It was a very homey atmosphere. They serve lunch and dinner except on Mondays. There was a really interesting, showy dinner of their version of macaroni and cheese, involving a flaming wheel of parmasean and a tomatoey pasta combo. Worth the show! Breakfasts were had on our terrace. (We had visited a local grocery store. In order to get a cart from a locked queue you need to insert a euro. We had to finally ask a patron -via charades- how to unlock the carts. We got pretty good at charades.) Everything is so fresh!

During one of our days in Desenzano we decided to venture out for a day of tourism and see Venice. It was about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car. Venice was beautiful. We got there quite early (about 7:30AM) as we were told we should to get a parking space at Tronchetto Parking garage. (20 euros a day) Took a boat bus, for lack of a better name, to St. Marks Square area. We were approached by a member of the Venetian Chamber of Commerce who presented us with a promotional pass to Muranoto see the glass blowing. He showed us a badge and spoke English quite well. It was a Thursday and they wanted to get people to Murano. My husband and I were a bit leary about accepting the trip, but we did and it turned out fine. I don't recommend doing something like that, because you don't know if it could be a scam. We were lucky. He took us to a taxi boat and we were toured thru canals and on to Murano. No fee. Once we got there we had a great presentation of how the glass is manipulated and then were taken to several rooms of exquisite piece after piece of chandeliers, gold leafed glasses, vases, sculpture etc. We were given a bit of a hard sell and our guide was not all too happy we did not spend $1000s of euros on some glass chandaliers that they would pack and ship especially for us at a "very reasonable price." Once she noted we were not going to buy the expensive pieces we were finally directed to the gift store where the prices were much more reasonable and the pieces items one could carry back home. WE then had a quick bit to eat in Murano, a sweet little town and worth the visit, and then back to St. Marks on the boat bus. We saw and fed the pigeons (1 euro for a bag of corn), went to a museum Scuola Grande S. Roccothat has a different view of the more famous Last Supper and many other beautiful works of art, took a gondola ride (we didn't barter and should have, because it was 100 euros for an hour.....which was not really quite an hour). We took the local boat bus thru the Grand Canal back to Tronchetto to head home. Highly recommend a ride down the Grand Canal......whatever mode you choose.

And so you have our trip to Italy. Researching different items on your website made the trip that much more enjoyable. Thanks for all of your suggestions and for the information you provide. It's a service that is well worth the review prior to a trip to Italy.

Lisa B.

Hello,

Thank you for your meticulous organising, well done. Absolutely no problems with the accommodation and it is all you say it is.

What a great trip that turned out to be. Castello Belvedere is the business, all you need and a really wonderful view. Mauro is really very good, very helpful and always on the job! It shows as the apartment block is very clean and there is no nonsense in the pool. The restaurant next door, while basic in its menu (no fish on the menu for example - unless you asked for it), is excellent value and the food is very good. You can walk there and have a drink without any worries. When you see lots of locals there, you know it is good as they have to travel to get there.

The location is excellent, easy to get into Desanzano, either by car or a decent walk. Limone is very good and a trip up the Lake is recommended. The scenery changes and the Lake narrows. To me it seemed greener the further up the Lake we went. Driving in Italy is very easy, well signed and the roads, even back roads are very well maintained. Shopping is easy, plenty of choice. Just watch the PennyMarket supermarket - you can't use cards there, cash only! I know I was that red faced tourist holding all the locals up!!

Simione is fab. Lovely restaurants with plenty of choice, good food and a few good bars. Easy to park near there, get a ticket on the way in and pay on the way out. The fish dishes here were really enjoyable. Couldn't be simpler.

Communicating is easy as most speak English, but you soon pick up the words you need to know. All in all a great place, we enjoyed this area more than Tuscany, where we were before. I can definitely say it is worth going to Castello Belvedere an excellent base for a great area.

Tom P. and family

Dear In Italy,

The positives (which far outnumbered any negatives) first: The lake and village were beautiful, and the property was fabulous - both the apartment and the grounds - and the price was very reasonable! We very much enjoyed our stay there.

The few, and minor, negatives: The written directions you provided to the property were not very good. We found it largely by luck. And, although your information included that we needed to arrive by 6:30, it didn't include that the apartment office was closed from 12 to 3. We arrived at 2:00, and luckily the manager came back early (around 2:30), so that we didn't have to wait too long. As these two things are simply information, you may be able to improve making guests aware of them. Finally (and this one is likely nothing you have any influence over), the apartment's air conditioning (very grateful that there was A/C!) was not adjustable - it was either on or off, and when on was set quite cool - we needed the extra blankets at night!

Bill C.

Hi Jessica,

Our trip to Italy was fabulous!! We had a wonderful 2 weeks and driving around the country roads in Northern Italy was really not that intimidating. We figured out after a day or two that if the name of the place you were looking for wasn't on the sign just go straight.  We asked for directions at a hotel once and they confirmed this by saying "Always go straight".

Castello Belvedere was beautiful, we had the 2 bedroom apartment with the biggest balcony overlooking the lake you have ever seen. The best thing was the little restaurant right next door run by Pierre and waitress Monica. They were very good hosts with a real sense of humour. As my husband said, describing the place sounds different. An outdoor kitchen, cats under your feet, children playing in the driveway, the best 'macaroni and cheese' you have ever had and a different experience every night. We ate there 3 nights in a row it was so enjoyable. Would go back in a minute.

All in all, I would definitely recommend your website to anyone. I found it very helpful and all the destinations were very close to description and better than one could hope for. We would love to go back every year. 

Bye for now and thanks again,
Kim and Michael M.

Dear Jessica,
 
We just returned from our trip which began September 1st. Thank you for your help in booking through Auto Europe - it seems that something has changed and they may now also be connected to Europcar - We found the correct counter with no problem at Malpensa and in just moments received our keys. It was approximately and hour and one half drive to Desenzano or the Lake Garda area. We had a little difficulty in locating Castello Belvedere but that may have been because a sign had been removed which would have guided us better. We stopped, asked a local and they knew exactly how to direct us.
 
Mauro was there to welcome us and show us to our one bedroom apartment with a beautiful veranda overlooking the hillside and the lake. Castello Belevedere is beautiful and breathtaking and we enjoyed many relaxing moments here. The pool and the grounds are amazing and we only wished we had more time to savor this place. We enjoyed shopping at the local market and picked up a few items for breakfast - coffee, eggs, meats, cheese fruit and bread - and of course vino! We watched the sun come up one morning first over the lake and disappear into the hillside.

Gardaland, the amusement park is across the lake and their fireworks were visible from our veranda. The apartment is well stocked and security is treated as a priority which we of course appreciated. Castello Belvedere is in a great location to get around the entire Lake, though we preferred the western shore up to Riva. You can walk or drive to the Centro area of Desanzano and take the ferry over to Sirmione or up to Limone. We very much enjoyed the Farmhouse restaurant located next door - Montecorno. They had a wide variety of menu offerings, great wine and were a short walk from the Villa. They make and incredible version of macaroni and cheese - nothing like we know here! Our dinners here were very reasonable somewhere between $40 and $50 usd for two people, which included drinks or wine.   
 
The only disappointment I had in Castello Belevedere was that in the website description of Castello Belvedere it talks about the small chapel and a priest that will come up from the hill and offer a blessing - a renewal of vows - Mauro will ring the bells, etc.  I had contacted Mauro twice by e-mail asking him if he would arrange this for us as a surprise for my husband, to please let me know what costs, etc...may be associated and confirmed the dates we would be there. First e-mail response back to me he said he would check and let me know, second e-mail response when I asked he said he had not forgotten. Nothing after that. On our arrival I asked him and he told me he did not know what I was talking about. Greg and I just laughed about it because when we got married 31 years ago the parish priest left the priesthood the day after our wedding - here the priest didn't show up. Somehow we've still survived!
 
We left for Venice on September 5th and drove to Marco Polo Airport. In Italy's information on the car rental area was very helpful and just following the signs is pretty easy. We were not sure what to do since there were numbered spaces for Europcar but we picked one, remembered the number and when returning the keys at the counter made sure to note with them where we had parked it. The information on not going up the ramp was also helpful. The canopy almost from the drop rental car area leads you directly to the front door of the airport and upon entering the Europcar counter is directly to your right back against the wall and then left. We purchased Alilaguna passes at $10 euro each and took this water taxi into San Marco.
  
Venice was clean - no smells - thought the weather was in the high 80's; we saw lots of shorts, jeans, capris or skirts. We loved getting lost in the alleys - we did of course make it to San Marco several times day and night to hang out, people watch. or just pinch ourselves that we were there. We didn't find it expensive - more moderately priced but we're more finding the out of the way cafes than the premier restaurants. We enjoyed our hearty breakfasts, snacked on pizza or tremezzi from any of the local shops, stopped for wine and a snack at various places and two restaurants recommendations we have are: Ala Maddona near the Rialto Market - cross the bridge, pass the canopies turn down the first alley to your right and you've arrived!. What a feast! Second restaurant is Galileo's in Campo San Angelo - wonderful food and service. Spend the money do the gondola ride!
 
Leaving Venice we took a fast water taxi to Marco Polo which was nice as they picked the four of us up, all our luggage and we went directly to the airport for our flight to Prague and all the next stops of this incredible trip.
 
Jessica, I have continued to recommend In Italy Online to many people throughout the last few years. We had car arrangements through you a few years ago on our first trip to Italy and we also had hotel arrangements for our 17 family members in Rome through you where we stayed at Hotel La Rovere. Beautiful quaint boutique type hotel - near any major sights.

Thanks again for such a great informational sight on areas of Italy - please feel free to post any of my comments here that you feel would be helpful.
 
Meg and Greg P.

Dear In Italy,

The place was beautiful. Some little things that were missing:

In the kitchen believe it or not in Italy..a wine opener!
The blankets in the closet were disgusting. Full of sand and dirt and twigs. When we put them on our beds stuff fell out all over the bed and the floor.
Also the pull out futon was extremely uncomfortable.

But other than that, the locale was great, the pool was so nice..and views beyond belief.

Dear Jessica,

We are now back from our trip to Castello Belvedere where we thought we had arrived in paradise! What a location, absolutely fabulous views that I could have sat and looked at all day if not for the kids and husband! The apartment was fine and again the views from the balcony breathtaking. We really enjoyed our stay and would definitely go back again. My only moan about it was that I think it is unfair of people to reserve their sunbeds by the pool by placing towels on them very early in the morning and then not using them until midday! Desanzano is a lovely little town and my teenagers found enough to keep themselves occupied. We hired a boat for half a day so we could tour the lake by boat which is a definite must, but on the whole we had a very relaxing stay and would thoroughly recommend it to others.

Many thanks
Jennie C.

Hallo Jessica -

We had a fantastic time in Castello Belvedere - we found it ideally situated at just 20 minutes walk outside of Desenzano. Our apartment was spacious and was well-equipped. The pool area is so relaxing with wonderful views of the lake and mountains. The restaurant next door was so delicious and the owner so friendly. We ate there practically every night and always had a fantastic meal and a great chat with others in the restaurant. We hired a speedboat on the lake for two days - it must be the only way to see the lake. We would stop in one town for breakfast and another for lunch - definitely a must-do! And you don't even need boating experience to hire some of the boats! Desenzano is a lovely town with plenty of restaurants and bars. The lake is also so central for visiting other places - we drove to the opera in Verona and went on a day trip to Venice. The manager, Mauro, was very helpful with directions and train timetables. It was a special hoilday for us as it was our honeymoon and we could not have had a more wonderful time - we wish we were back there now!!

Thanks for all your help - it was great!
Kieran and Ellie H.

Dear Jessica,

We arrived home a few days ago, very tired from a long flight, but given the chance I would return to italy tomorrow! totally fell in love with the place. Venice was absolutely magical, standing on the Rialto bridge at night looking up the grand canal..guess words can’t describe it, you have to be there. We took the train to Desenzano, arrived at Castello Belvedere in the morning, were met by the charmimg Mauro..and as others before me have said, it’s just like the pictures from the web site. Our stay was wonderful. loved the apartment. dinner next door at the farmhouse was sensational. If others get a chance to read this, all i can say is, make Desenzano and Belvedere part of your Italian experience, you won’t be sorry.

Many thanks to all at in italy, cheers
Annie N.

Dear In Italy,

Thank you - it was really good. Any comments I make should be set against the fact that it is a fabulous location and the facilities were generally excellent. I say that in case any comment is construed as the whole experience. We will certainly include the Castello Belvedere on the list of places we would like to return to in the future, so these are things we think would add to a successful experience.

We thought the cost of servicing the apartment was prohibitive. Bearing in mind the rate for the room matches the rate for a top hotel in the region we thought it odd that the service charge should be an additional 30+ euros per day. This could be more reasonably priced.

We were also surprised that we had to dispose of our own trash and thought it strange that we should be expected to transport it to the end of the driveway. An on-site facility would have been preferable.

We also thought that the swimming pool could have been open a little longer in the evening, maybe to 8.00 p.m.

As I have said above these things did not detract form our holiday but would have added to it.

Thanks for your interest.

Best wishes,
Trevor M.

Dear In Italy,

We enjoyed Castello Belvedere very much. The accommodation was better than we expected, the location magnificent and the service very friendly and helpful. The Restaurant next door was fantastic as were the others we tried in town. Our day trip on Lake Garda was on the scheduled Ferry service and we loved Sirmione with its ancient castle and great restaurants. We would recommend this location to everyone

Fran & Ken M.

Dear Julie-

We had a very memorable trip. The first week we stayed at Castello Belvedere, which was very nice. The staff was very courteous and helpful and the apartment was very neat and a good location for us for day trips. The only downside was the mattress was too firm for us, but we were able to compensate by putting a folded blanket on each side underneath the sheets- so it was only a minor inconvenience. The bathrooms were modern and spacious. We really recommend the restaurant next door although the hours are flexible so it's best to check as they close early sometimes if business is too slow. Everything there is made from locally grown and owned produce, so it's a special treat. Everything we tried was delicious and the managers are very nice. It helps if you speak a little Italian, which we took time to learn before we left. We enjoyed driving around Lake Garda and stopping at many of the towns along the way to explore. We also took a day trip to Verona- an easy drive and easy parking near the center city. Well worth a whole day or even an overnight stay if you can catch a concert one night. We were in Venice on our previous trip so we ran out of time to go again, but again it is an easy day trip. We did drive to Lake Como one day, but we much preferred the less crowded and more relaxed atmosphere of Lake Garda and in our opinion, Lake Garda was just as beautiful. We did go to Milan for one day and parked at the Metro station farthest east of Milan to avoid driving in the city. That was well worth the effort. Milan was nice to visit, but one day was plenty for us as we prefer the smaller historic towns (with the exception of the LARGE Rome, which we adore and spent 4 days there in September of 2003).

We also rented the GPS and got the free cell phone with our rental car. The cell phone was somewhat of disappointment in our case because the number was English so we couldn't leave the number for our Italian friends to call. Also, the per minute rate is VERY high ($1.99 a minute) for international calls, but we did like the convenience of not having to get calling cards and look for a phone when it was not convenient because of the time difference, so we did use it and the total cost was probably less than renting a phone at the airport with a fixed fee plus lower per minute fees.

The GPS was really nice after we got used to using it. It is especially useful in the roundabouts, where it is difficult to read the signs in time to make the correct turns. It is still advisable to have a map as well, to double-check you are routed in the right direction. Sometimes that was not the case, and provincial roads are many times not on the map. We would definitely do that again.

It was a wonderful trip and we're having a little trouble re-adjusting to the real workaday world now. Time to start planning for next year!

Ciao,
Brenda and Rich G.

Dear In Italy,

Castello Belvedere was immaculate with great lake views from our balcony. The restaurant right next door is very convenient. The drive up to Riva around the lake is beautiful and Desenzano is charming. We drove to Milan, Venice and Verona from this location. We really were surprised with Verona and will go back there next trip to spend more time. It is a very nice city with lots of accessible shopping. Mauro was very helpful with recommendations. I highly recommend the restaurant just as you enter Desenzano called Spaghetteria; very causal and inexpensive with excellent food.

Ron D.

Dear Julie,

We could not have had a better trip to Italy. This was our eighth trip and they have all been wonderful. This time, however, we were blessed with perfect weather, moderate during the day, cool at night and with the incomparably blue skies found only in Italy. We stayed on Lake Como during our last visit two years ago. This was our first time for Lake Garda and it measures up very well to the more venerated Como. Just as beautiful, larger and thus less crowded. Our stay at Castello Belvedere in Desenzano on the south shore was totally enjoyable. Our host, Mauro, was extremely helpful and directed us to several excellent ristorantes in Desenzano and around the lake. He directed us to the best route for our driving trip into the city of Verona, aimed us correctly to our destination on our train trip to Venice and generally treated us as visiting royalty. The accommodations are clean, well maintained and beautifully located. The gardens are wonderful, and the view from our veranda throughout the day but especially at sundown was breathtaking. It is far enough away from the town to have a country villa feel yet is very convenient for driving day trips.

The nearby (walking distance) restaurant served very good, Italian country cooking under the stars on a cypress surrounded veranda. I have been in contact with your website and receiving your monthly newsletter for several years. I also booked our car and reservations for Da Vinci's "Last Supper" in Milan. As you have probably surmised, I am in love with the country. I fell in love with my third generation American-Italian wife Carol first and then the country on our first trip in 1989. Your InItaly site is a joy. Even when not planning a trip (which I am almost constantly doing or wanting to), I thoroughly enjoy browsing it for future trips or reminiscences. Keep up the great work.

Ciao.
Ron G.

Dear In Italy,

Yes we just returned and had a fabulous trip.

The reservations made through In Italy Online were excellent. Castello Belvedere was delightful, only a little hard to find as we arrived at dark. FYI the local farmer's restaurant next door to the Castello does not open until April. (i.e. closed in March).

From the hotel there is a beautiful view across the lake looking toward Sirmione. It makes a great picture on a clear day with a telephoto lens.

A good day trip is to drive counter clockwise around Lake Garda, stopping at the small towns and resorts along the way. Anyone doing this should stop at Salo for breakfast by the lake and finish with a twilight tour of Sirmione. It is magical.

FYI. We travelled with a number of guides including the Michelin Green guide for northern Italy. The BEST information was from your web site, with better coverage and more sights of interest for the small towns. It would be a mistake for anyone going to Italy without checking In Italy online first. We found the Venice Marco Polo airport a very relaxed and convenient way to access the NE part of Italy. (We flew in via Frankfurt).

Thanks for your help.
David O.

Dear Julie:

Thanks very much for your message. We certainly did have a wonderful time in Italy. I'm still trying to devise a way to run my business from Venice......

We had rented a place on the Tuscany/Umbria border for a week prior to moving up to Castello Belvedere and thoroughly enjoyed that area, as well. We had some difficulty finding Castello Belvedere although, to be fair, we were arriving after dark. The directions seemed straightforward enough but I think there was a detail or two missing.

However, once we did arrive, the facility was very impressive and we were extremely pleased. There was a slight mixup with the night porter, who gave us the unit beside the one we had reserved -- normally, not a problem but it was a studio, not a one-bedroom! It was quickly and gracefully resolved, though, with no hard feelings. The pool area is very nice and, in general, the only slightly negative comment we have would be in regard to the balcony areas. They seem unnecessarily open and provide very little privacy. The use of some latticework with vegetation or something similar would solve the visual problem (although I know the overall impression - of the vista one sees when going out onto the patio/balcony) might be compromised.

As for locating any hidden local gems, it's hard to say. Desenzano is a very active town (which we liked but were glad for Belevedere's location, I think) and we enjoyed several nice meals there. We found a neighborhood place whose name escapes me at the moment (I will send it to you) which had a very friendly feel to it, a nice patio area and very good, reasonably-priced food. Upon learning we were Canadian, they gave us each a glass of dessert wine and a plate of small treats; very nice touch. The waiter also introduced us to Lugana, one of the local white wines, which we looked for all over the Lake District!

We also liked the outdoor market day and the overall ambience of the place. Parking is obviously a problem for them but we tended to park a distance away and "walk into town". We took the drive up to Limone (fabulous), stopping by the side of the road for a picnic lunch of bread, cheese and wine we had bought in Desenzano, and took the ferry to Riva. Nothing "hidden" about that but very enjoyable all the same. Sirmione is obviously very beautiful as well and, as I said, we had a day (not nearly enough) in Venice; one handy part of the Desenzano location is being on the mainline train route. We got to the station early in the morning and returned late that evening.

Anyway, we had a fabulous time and have already told many people about the experience, and of Castello Belvedere. Many people in the Toronto area have visited Italy but we had encountered few who have gone to the Lake District; we're doing our best to change that.

Thanks again for following up and we look forward to going back to Italy ASAP!

Regards,
Paul W.

Dear In Italy,

Castello Belevedere was very nice, but unfortunately, it was on the chilly side while we were there, so we were not able to enjoy the beautiful pool or the huge balcony. The apartment was different from North American standards as the floors are all done in ceramic, with no rugs, so it tended to be a bit chilly. I would recommend going here in mid summer (July or August). We had a beautiful view of Lake Garda and enjoyed visiting all the different towns on the lake. The food at the farm next door was so-so.

Irene D.

Dear In Italy,

Castello Belvedere in Desanzano, Lake Garda was a beautiful property. I guess I did not realize that it was actually an apartment, but think that was my error. It was very low key there, and even though we needed to slow the pace for a few days, our 2 teenage children were a bit bored. They did enjoy sunning at the pool. I definitely think that a room with a balcony or patio would make a difference because once we had climbed the 3 flights to our spacious apartment, we felt disinclined to go out. The restaurant next door, Montecorno was fantastic. The owner, Barbara was charming and we had dinner there twice. The small city of Simione has an interesting castle to visit, and although we did not walk through the other parts of the medieval town, it seemed like it would be interesting.

Kirk B.

Julie...

Brian and I had a wonderful time. Castello Belvedere far exceeded our expectations. We've said several times how pleasantly surprised we were to find that the reality was even better than the pictures! Not sure if Mauro told you, but there was apparently a mix-up with our reservation. The studio we'd reserved was not available, so Mauro very generously offered us a two-room apartment at the same price - it was lovely. The Castello was perfect... just far away from everything to be incredibly relaxing, but close enough to allow easy access to anything we wanted. The accommodations were top-notch, to say the least. The room was impeccable when we checked in, the grounds breathtakingly beautiful and charming, and the service unparalleled.

Desenzano was perfect, although we were glad to have been there before the high season (I can imagine how crowded it can get).Mauro recommended we go to the Desenzano market, where we bought the makings of the most delicious meals we've ever eaten. And everyone was so friendly! We were a little nervous about our limited Italian, but as long as we made an effort, people were very accommodating. Another note about Desenzano... if you're planning on making any trips into Verona, Venice or Milan, this is the perfect place to stay. The trains were very convenient...although, make sure you take the phone number for the cab company with you. After waiting ten minutes or so for one to pull up, we decided to walk back to the Castello (a brisk 45 minute walk).

Another tip: when you rent your car, check for a radio as soon as you get in. It took us three days to realize that ours had not been stolen (as is very common in Italy), but had never been there in the first place! Also, confirm all extra fees, insurance, and taxes before you leave for your trip. Our sub-compact rental had been confirmed by Thrifty for $82 Euros for the week, but after everything else was added in, that amount quadrupled to just over $330 Euros.

You asked for a few gems. Just a few?:) Although the gelato at Cristallo in Bardolino was very good, I honestly preferred going down to the gelaterie down by the Desenzano lakefront - can't remember the name of it. If you walk down the private drive, turn left, turn left again at the first road (sign points to Kristall Lago??), and then right once you hit the lake, you'll get to the gelaterie before you hit the first light. Ask for the pistacchio or amaretto, and take your cone for a leisurely stroll along the lakefront... absolutely wonderful.

Another gem would truly be the market - don't miss this! Taste test the olives at one of the stands, and then buy a container for a mere Euro. And the basil, the tomatoes, the fresh fruit... let's just say we're having a very difficult time with our lackluster culinary options here at home!

And do stop by one of the many farms around the area. We popped into one right off of the grounds at San Martino. The owner was so welcoming, immediately summoning his daughter who spoke broken English. Upon our request for "vino," she opened up a testing room and allowed us to sample their wine. We ended up taking home two bottles (for only $6 Euro!), both of which turned out to be quite good. But it was the experience that we'll most fondly remember.

Julie, thank you so much for linking us up with Castello Belvedere. It, along with Desenzano, Lake Garda, and Italy for that matter, has found a warm place in our hearts. We've adopted it as our second home and will return as soon as we possibly can. We've highly recommended your services to all of our friends as the best possible way to plan an Italian vacation.

Please send our kind regards and thanks to Mauro for us.Ciao, grazie!

Laura H.

Dear In Italy,

The Castello Belvedere was a soothing respite. It was also the nicest place we stayed. I did not expect all the families, but it was very, very quiet at night. We enjoyed our two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with the equivalent of three balconies - one off a bedroom, another off the sitting area, and a third at the door, since we were the "end-of-the-line".

Mauro was not present when we arrived and his "director" asked me what my paperwork was and that he had no rooms for us. I told him "yes, he did" and showed my backup confirmation e-mail from Mauro dated about a week earlier (just before we departed from the USA). I recommend that everyone send an e-mail to their destinations about a week or 10 days before their USA departure, just confirming that you are coming and when you expect to arrive. I always make a copy of the response and it has helped more than once when I was told there wasn't a room available or they had no record of my reservation.

Mauro apologized to me the next day for not writing it down in whatever book they use. He was very nice and gave us a book on the history of the Castello that I look forward to reading.

My favorite place at Lake Garda, however, was Sirmone and if I came back, I'd try to stay there.

The best thing we did was pre-reserve of Uffizi and Accademia tickets with you. We did have to wait in a line at the Accademia (even with tickets). We later found that noon is a good time to go to these major museums as the lines are shortest then.

Kathrine B.

Dear In Italy,

What can I say regarding Castello Belevedere that reflects the superlative time spent there? I would recommend this location in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact many friends already are considering booking for next year. I had been on a tour the previous week and after the hectic pace and the noise of cities, the Castello Belevedere was an oasis of serenity, natural beauty and personal welcoming. I felt I had come home. Mauro greeted us with such friendliness and warmth, not always evident in the larger centres. Any inquiries regarding the town or the train or whatever was responded to with no sense of being bothered or too much trouble. The photos on the net are NOT touched up. The beauty, cleanliness and spaciousness of the rooms is REAL. I would go back to this location any time.

Your assistance was fabulous and all the extra information was very useful. We had no difficulty finding the place.

I would recommend that future guests enjoy the hospitality of Bruno at the farmhouse next to Castello Belvedere. Despite our limited Italian and Bruno's limited English we enjoyed excellent home cooking at a very reasonable price. The town itself was within an easy walk and tons of shops and cafes. We felt very safe and managed to get by with sign language for all our needs. Desenzano also has a free internet service located near the museum. The local tourist information provided us with directions. It is not readily accessible but we were assisted by a very friendly individual at the museum. It was a much better service than at the local bar where the computers were old and slow. Be prepared however to wait as the service is free. The hours are also limited. Thank you and I will recommend your site for anyone travelling to Italy

Joyce B.

Dear In Italy,

Castello Belvedere was fabulous and very relaxing. As you site mentions the manger, Mauro, is very friendly but he really made us feel at home. I guess I didn't take your words seriously. The place was impeccably clean and comfortable. I will definitely return there maybe in the spring with friends.

June H.

Hi,

Castello Belvedere was the perfect ending to our trip! From the moment we walked in the door, we were overwhelmed by the welcome and even more so by the sumptuousness of the premises. We had been traveling for almost three weeks and been in some tight quarters along our trip and in Venice the morning before we arrived. The space was gloriously welcome.

It was a surprise to find that there was no arrangement for food and other amenities. We had an apartment and were expected to live that way. It didn't take much to get settled, but we weren't quite prepared for that.

The dining situation, however, was easily taken care of by an "Agrarian" farm house /restaurant next door to the Castello, run by a delightful patron and whose cooking was outstanding. Only a few dishes to pick from at each meal, but those were brilliant "home-style" cooking.

I don't have time now to really tell you how much we welcomed all of your suggestions on your site. You are wonderful and every bit of information was accurate and helpful.

I am going to get our 9 year old Charlie to write a bit and send it in.

Thanks again................
Paul H.

Dear In Italy,

We got back 2 weeks ago from a trip in Italy. We spent 1 week at the historic residence Castello Belvedere on Garda Lake and really enjoyed our stay there. I would recommend that residence to anybody who is looking for a relaxing holiday in a beautiful setting (close to Desenzano, Verona and less than 2 hours from Venice).

Diane L.

Dear Ghia,

As far as Castello Belvedere, it was a true dream. The apartment was in pristine ondition. The view of the lake and pool from our balcony was gorgeous. Our only difficulty was managing one bathroom among 5 people (we had a friend traveling with us), but we will know for next time to make arrangements earlier so that we get a larger apartment. Mauro was very helpful and accommodating. We arrived on a Sunday and found a supermarket open in Desenzano (Iper Standa) so we were all set. In the following days, we found terrific food stores in Desenzano and also bought pastries and breads during our forays into Verona, Cremona, Mantova and Sirmione.

Our kids loved the pool. There were no other American children there--only Germans!--but they managed to interact with a couple of the other kids. The kids wished the pool was open later (they lock it up at 7pm). They liked going to Sirmione on Lake Garda and loved playing mini golf on an Italian miniature golf course. We did not go to Gardaland because we figured we can always do that kind of thing at home, so we mostly went to see other towns and cities nearby Desenzano. We all loved Verona.

Although we did a lot of sightseeing, we really managed to have a relaxing vacation. With kids, it's especially important to only have one big goal a day and then to let them play, swim or just hang out in the late afternoon or early evening. Our kids loved just sitting on the balcony at Belvedere and playing cards while Peter and I sipped our Campari--everyone was happy.

Amy P.

Dear InItaly,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write -- upon our return home I was hit with TAXES (ugh), thus delaying my response. But I have been eager to tell you that we LOVED the Castello Belvedere! My daughters (ages 7 and 13) were in awe of the absolutely gorgeous setting (one morning we could see the Alps from our terrace), the grounds, and the flowering trees. Everyone was wonderful to them (and to us!). Mauro Bernardi was especially gracious and kind. The apartment was immaculate AND attractive and perfect for what we needed. We felt very much at home. We were only sorry the early Spring temperatures didn't permit using the pool. It is truly the most beautifully situated swimming pool I have ever seen. We found good restaurants in town and also found it quite convenient to take the train to Venice and Padua for day trips. We did not want to leave and all agreed we would go back in a heart beat.

I also used the "ticket advisory line" on your site to make a reservation for Leonardo's Last Supper in Milan. That worked very well. I wished there had also been a number for the Arena Chapel in Padua. When we arrived we were told that tickets were sold out until Easter (nearly 4 weeks hence). There were sorry faces all around.

Thank you so much for your wonderful service. I have recommended it to others.

All my best wishes -- and please send our thanks again to Signor Bernardi!

Mary S.

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