Global warming? Hard to believe sometimes. Here we were in Garda, on Lake Garda, famous for its Mediterranean type climate yet huge fluffy flakes of snow, tinged with gold by the coloured lights on the Christmas tree, were drifting down carpeting the terrace outside. Inside, in the warmth of the crowded hotel restaurant, waiters scurried to and fro delivering the eight courses of our Gala Dinner. Fine wines flowed and laughter mingled with light hearted conversation. Midnight was marked with a glittering galaxy of fireworks on the lakeshore. Pinks, yellows, greens reflected in the white coated branches of the pine trees around us. Magical.
Our day had started in brilliant sunshine as we drove around the southern end of the lake to the lovely little town of Sirmione. Here we enjoyed a boat trip to see the villa where Maria Callas used to live, the ruins of Villa Romana once the home of the poet Catullo and the bubbles of the hot spring that fed the spa on the shore. Next stop Lasize, a walled city and a chance to stroll by the lake or enjoy a welcome coffee or refreshing prosecco.
After lunch in a lakeside restaurant in Garda we had time to explore the Christmas market and wander through the life size Nativity with its endearingly shabby cuddly sheep, donkeys and camels. Some took advantage of the lovely weather to stroll along the shoreline to the Bay of Mermaids at Punta San Viglio.
New Year’s Day got off to a slow start but everyone was up and ready to explore by early afternoon when we set off to Verona on our optional excursion. Verona is a lovely city and we enjoyed an interesting walking tour of its most famous monuments before spending some time in the main square, Piazza Bra, watching the antics of skaters on the temporary ice rink. Every year the drama of Christmas and New Year is embodied in the shooting star that rises in the Arena and comes to earth in the square outside.
Mist shrouded the lake and surrounding hills on our final morning but nevertheless we pursued our plan to take the local bus to Malcesine and take the cable car to the top of Monte Baldo. To our joy just a few kilometres along the road the clouds lifted to reveal blue sky and brilliant sunshine. From the top of Monte Baldo the views of lake were stunning and the atmosphere exhilarating with skiers whizzing past us. We enjoyed lunch surrounded by a snow capped panorama before descending to wander through the cobbled streets of the town.
This was my second New Year celebration in this lovely setting, the perfect way to see out the old and bring in the new.
