Spend a day soaking up the scenery surrounding one of Italy's most popular lakes. Passing olive groves, cypresses and grand villas, stopping off at pastel-hued towns and enjoying a short boat trip along the way. The northern shores of Lake Garda offer dramatic mountains rising behind pretty lakeside villages such as Limone and Malcesine.

Unless your start point is Sirmione or Dezenzano, your first stop will be Sirmione, often hailed as the lake's most beautiful village. Here, you'll have an hour to soak up its charm before the journey to Limone. Spread around a bay with an exceptionally mild climate, it's undoubtedly one of the most scenic spots along the lake. The town is a gem, full of character and pretty views.

Next, we'll take a short but scenic boat trip across to Riva, for more exploring, shopping and sightseeing. Our last stop is Malcesine, an impressive medieval village crowned by a castle. You'll have an hour or so here to explore the maze of narrow streets and absorb its history.