Lake Garda Night Cruises: Vintage Vessel and Locally Crafted Tastings

Romantic nighttime cruises on Lake Garda. The first of eight boat trips organized by «Riviera dei limoni», the newly formed consortium chaired by Chicco Risatti that brings together all the tourism and accommodation entities of the municipalities within the Alto Garda Park, from Salò and Limone to the inland areas, will set sail this evening at 8:30 pm from Gargnano and at 9:30 pm from Limone.

The cruises are aboard the historic motor vessel «Italia». Built in 1907 by the Zurich-based Escher Wiss company and modernized in 1999, this splendid Navigarda paddle steamer is one of the few vintage ships still operational on Italian lakes.

The paddle steamer features two large lounges furnished in Art Nouveau style, as well as open areas at the bow and stern with over 250 seats. On the upper deck’s hall, where the notes of an orchestra will play during the cruises, there is a dance area.

The «Italia» paddle steamer retains its charming original appearance, which undoubtedly contributes to creating a romantic atmosphere during the cruise. However, the allure of the old boat and the Gardesans scenery seen from an unusual perspective, that is from the water, are not the only reasons these cruises attract visitors.

Tastings and local collaborations

Thanks to the involvement of the Consorzio di tutela dei vini del Garda classico (Garda Classic Wines Protection Consortium), participants during the excursions will have the opportunity to taste typical products of these lands: Garda wines matched with other fine products from the local agri-food basket.

«This», – comments the president of the Consorzio Garda Classico, Alessandro Redaelli De Zinis – «is a first, tangible, and positive example of synergy between tourism operators and local producers, which without a doubt will yield positive results in the near future».

The cruise planned for this evening, as mentioned, is the first of a package of eight romantic nighttime cruises that will continue throughout the summer until September 5th. Four of these will take place on the waters of the upper lake: tonight, August 8 and 22, and September 5.

You can embark from Gargnano at 8:30 pm and from Limone at 9:30 pm; disembarkation is scheduled at 11:30 pm in Limone and at 12:30 am in Gargnano. The boat will pass by the towns of Malcesine, Torbole, and Riva.

The other four cruises (July 28, August 4 and 18, and September 1) will be on the waters of the middle lake (Torr del Benaco, Punta San Vigilio, and Garda). In this case, boarding points are Salò (at 9:00 pm with disembarkation at 11:30 pm), Gardone Riviera (at 9:15 pm; disembark at 11:45 pm), and Toscolano Maderno (at 9:30 pm; disembark at midnight).

The ticket, available at all tourism offices of Alto Garda, costs 25,000 lire. The price is halved for children aged 11 to 15; the cruise is free for those under 10 years old.