September 02, 2009
It's been very windy lately in this part of England that I live in, and it makes me think of the town of Torbole on Lake Garda. Torbole is the windiest place at Lake Garda, and it's the constant winds that make windsurfing extremely popular there.
Everywhere you look windsurfing is in evidence at Torbole; you'll notice that many accommodations and sporting facilities are geared specifically towards the surfer. The town is well known internationally for hosting windsurfing championships and this is very much the focus of the town. In fact, the main reason why I wanted to write about Torbole this month is because the town is holding its annual Surf Festival, which is a major event there.
But what about the town itself? Torbole is a medium size town located at the top north-east corner of Lake Garda. The main road from Rovereto and the north-east meets the lakeside road in the centre of town, so this can get pretty busy sometimes and parking can be a nightmare - just to warn you! There are ferry services which run from here so this is a good way to get about in the peak season. You will also see a lot of cyclists in this area, as this is a favourite starting place for many of them.
The view from Torbole down the lake is beautiful with the clear blue water of the lake firmly held between the huge mountains either side. The water in the north part of the lake is particularly pure as the lake source (the Sacra river) enters the lake there. There is also a quite extensive shingle beach there, but this is widely used for windsurfers getting into the lake, so if you want a quiet beach you may be best going elsewhere.
The whole town oozes with sporting activities and for the active person this is a great place to stay. The town itself is a bit of a mixture of old and new, the old part around the port area being the most attractive part of town. There are more modern parts to the town which have come about due to the increase in sporting facilities over the years, but it still has a lot of character and is well worth a visit, even if you don't windsurf. We ourselves don't do the sport, but we love to go there, if only to be caught up in the wonderful atmosphere of the sport and marvel at the way the lake can sometimes be almost completely obscured by the thousands of multicoloured sails!
Hopefully we've enlightened you a little about Torbole. You can also find out a little about the other towns by checking out our pages about them
here.
Main Events
In most towns around the Lake, you'll find many things going on throughout the year, including art exhibitions, festivals, wine and food tastings, theatre events and sports events.
If you'd like to know about any events in particular for this month, then please contact us, as we only cover the main events each month.
This is taking place for the 59th time. It is one of the biggest international sailing regattas on inland water, and each year attracts participants and spectators from all over the world. It takes place at the harbour of Bogliaco – a small village which forms part of Gargnano on the western shore of Lake Garda.
The international free climbing elite will meet in Arco for the world championships 'Rock Master'. Arco is a pretty small town north of Riva and has a worldwide reputation as a "stronghold of climbers". It is one of the birthplaces of this relatively young climbing sport.
Celebrate the SURFestival with us in Torbole this year! More than 20,000 fans of windsurfing from all over the world are expected every year on the beaches of Torbole. On the programme are not only various spectacular competitions, but also windsurfing lessons (free of charge), the possibility to test the latest gear from well-known manufacturers, and the chance to attend many concerts and parties. Don't miss it!
It will be for the third time this year that an international marathon takes place on Lake Garda. The race takes place on September 27th 2009 and its 42.195 km takes runners from Limone via Riva, Arco and Torbole to Malcesine. On November 15th the half-marathon takes place.
There are, of course, all the usual markets that are definitely worth going to. To find out more about when and where they are,
click here.
This Month's Featured Hotel
Every month we feature a Hotel in the Lake Garda area so you can get an idea of the accommodation there. We always feature a hotel with a "guest rating" of 8 or more (out of 10), so they are always all-round great quality places.
Verdeblu resident: This new resident, with serviced apartments, is located in a beautiful area in the Arco area and is less than 500 metres from the renowned sailing and surfing venue of Torbole.
The property, surrounded by a luxuriant landscape with beautiful olive groves and vineyards, is strategically placed for lovely walks along the lakeshore. There are many sports to do in the area; the Lake Garda cycling path is just 800 metres from the residence.
If you prefer to relax, an ample and sunny garden awaits you at the residence. There is a swimming pool, sauna, wellness centre and fitness room, an outdoor playing area, and a barbecue area to enjoy.
You can see a photo of it below, and look at loads more photos and find out more info about the residence by clicking on the link below the photo.
Verdeblu resident at Arco, near Torbole
Your Stories
We really want to hear about your Lake Garda experiences and stories, even if it's just a sentence or two. Get your story in a future newsletter and share your experiences with others!
Whether you want to share your favourite
hotel,
town,
family outing,
or sport
you've experienced at Lake Garda, we'd love to
hear all about it.
To Conclude...
The windsurfing hotspot of Torbole awaits you! You'll love the vibrant, energetic atmosphere of the town, particularly if you're a windsurfer. Make sure you check out the Surf Festival there this month too.
See you next month!
Marcus and Sylvia