IN AND AROUND GARDA TRENTINO
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WHAT TO DO
WHEN IT RAINS
It can happen during any holiday that rain and bad weather force you to change your plans and find some other ways to spend the day. Luckily, Garda Trentino and the surrounding areas have plenty of activities, attractions, cultural experiences, food and wine, wellness, relaxation and fun: whatever you like you will find something exciting to turn the greyest day into one to remember.
IN GARDA TRENTINO
Without the need to look too far, the towns of Garda Trentino offer plenty of indoor activities for a rainy day. In Riva del Garda, at the Rocca, you can visit MAG - Museo Alto Garda museum with its permanent or temporary exhibitions, art gallery and archaeology section. Another fun thing to do regardless of the weather is to go to the top of the Torre Apponale and if you are art lovers, you can’t afford to miss one of the temporary exhibitions hosted by the Craffonara Art Gallery. If you are into architecture and technology you can always visit the Hydroelectric Power Plant in Riva del Garda whereas nature lovers can visit Varone waterfall cave park or take a little tour to find out more about reptiles in the reptile house in Riva del Garda, two great options you should not miss.
Head to Arco and you just have to stop off at Palazzo Panni and the Segantini Gallery, a wide selection of the works of this artist, born in Arco, who became one of the major exponents of Divisionism. Temporary exhibitions can also be found at Forte Superiore di Nago, in Nago-Torbole, and inside Drena Castle which also houses a permanent collection of archaeological finds. In the little medieval villge of Canale di Tenno you will find Casa degli Artisti Giacomo Vittone, where art enjoys absolute freedom with temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as the curious museum of farm tools. A rainy day might also be the right time to visit the Centre for the Documentation of the Monte San Martino Archaeological Area of Campi, situated in Pranzo, to discover the secrets of the local people in ancient times. In every town it is also possible to visit countless churches and places of worship, each of which houses priceless works of art and has a fascinating history interwoven with that of the territory and local inhabitants.
But if you are looking for relaxation, in the main hotels in the area as well as wellness centres you can take a swim in heated indoor pools not to mention enjoy massages and beauty treatments, saunas and Turkish baths. And if you really can’t do without sport, there are countless gyms and indoor amenities where you can get some exercise, such as indoor climbing (Arco and Pietramurata), as well as indoor tennis and paddle ball courts.
And finally, the entire Garda Trentino area offers a wealth of charming locations where you can enjoy aperitivos, lunch and dinner made from local produce, with cuisine which ranges from the casual to the most sophisticated fine dining experience. There are also countless wine cellars, olive oil mills and small producers where you can savour a more
in-depth tasting experience together with guided tours which will immerse you in the production process for quality wines, oils, cheeses and cold cuts. Last but not least are the countless shops to be found in the various towns, with something for all tastes and every budget, which will give you the chance to take home something of the excitement you experienced during your holiday.
IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
Using your own vehicle, by taxi or public transport, there are some attractions you can get to just a few kilometres from Garda Trentino. In Valle di Ledro by the lake of the same name, and in Fiavé in the Giudicarie esteriori area, there are two interesting Museums of Pile Dwellings. In Valle dei Laghi you can visit the Santa Massenza Hydroelectric Power Plant close to Lake Toblino with its enchanting waterside castle which can be visited subject to booking. A few minutes to the north, in Padergnone, you can visit Casa Caveau Vino Santo, a particularly interesting wine museum for lovers of the fabulous Vino Santo Trentino.
If you get to Trento, you can’t afford to miss a visit to MuSe - Science Museum, the perfect outing for all the family. Art is the focus in Rovereto at Mart - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which has exhibitions of Italian and international artists and at the Depero House of Futurist Art. As regards history, in Rovereto you can’t afford to miss the Italian Museum of War History while, on your way back to Garda Trentino, you really should stop off in Valle di Gresta, to discover the curious Postcard Museum in Isera, pay a visit to Castel Corno or the Sanctuary of Monte Albano in Mori. In the area you will also find a plentiful selection of restaurants, wine cellars and distilleries where you might like to stop off for a different aperitivo, tasty lunch or a well-deserved dinner, sampling and savouring local specialities from all over Trentino.