Desenzano del Garda

The town of Desenzano del Garda itself is scenic, relaxed, and with a tourist atmosphere that is somehow different from Italian magnet-areas farther south. And there are several fascinating little burgs within bus or train or bike or boat(!) range that add even more interest for us.

Six nights

Sheltered by Dolomite cliffs, a fresh-water pebble strewn beach and a stone castle not far away—what else could one ask?

The rail journey to the south of France from here means a punishing number of hours; we will pause to rest a few days in

And this video from 2006 shows a town a little to the east. Here was a tourist plaza with umbrella-ed tables and a Karaoke guy holding forth. Our nearby plaza, next visit, is meant for residents to relax on comfy benches and talk into the evening, next to a softly spraying fountain. We'd like to join them.