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Riva del Garda
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At the northwest tip of the lake,
RIVA DEL GARDA
is the best known of the lake's resorts. It's been a resort since the late nineteenth century and retains some stylish pastel-painted hotels, which in high season and on sunny Sundays form an elegant backdrop for a portside crammed with gaudy excursion coaches. There's an old town behind this, which is pleasant enough, but the main reason for basing yourself here is the fact that Riva currently boasts Garda's only youth hostel.
There's not a great deal to do or see, except for the severe moated castle (daily 9.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-5.30pm; L4000/a?¬2.07) alongside the port, still undergoing lengthy renovation, but open at least for visiting the modest collection of art pertaining to the region.
The lakefront is lined with
gelaterie and pizzerias
, and there's a good
pizza al taglio
place on Via Gazzoletti, just off the port area, and an English-style pub,
All'Oca
, at Via Santa Maria 9, which is cosy on a chilly day. For a more substantial meal try the
Vaticano
at Via Santa Maria 8 (no closing day), a reasonably priced restaurant where you can eat in the garden. If you're staying at Riva you'll need a map, available from the
tourist office
(May-June Mon-Sat 9am-noon & 3-6.30pm; July-Sept same hours plus Sun 10am-noon & 4-6.30pm; Oct-April Mon-Fri 8.30am-12.15pm & 2.30-5.15pm; tel 0464.554.444,
www.gardatrentino.com
) in the Giardini di Porta Orientale, on the far side of the castle. If you decide to
stay
, you'll find the youth hostel at Piazza Cavour 10 (tel 0464.554.911; L19,000/a?¬9.81; April-Oct), but little to choose from when it comes to cheap hotels. Your best bet is either
La Montanara
at Via Montanara 18-20 (tel 0464.554.857; up to L60,000/a?¬30.99) at the top of Via Concordia, which runs up from the castle, or the
Vittoria
at Via Dante 39 (tel 0464.554.398; L60,000-90,000/a?¬30.99-46.48), just before the entrance to the historic centre if you're coming from the bus station. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Italy,
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