Camping Bruno

Lake Garda is an obvious draw: the paths around it, the wooded hills and craggy peaks behind and the clear blue waters themselves. A 15-minute boat ride to Isola del Garda is a grand way to cool off and do some low-key exploring. Occupied by Romans, Goths, colonies of Franciscan friars and Genoese soldiers, this little outcrop bears vivid traces of its history, especially within the grand villa that sits on top (open for visits in summer months). All around, and only recently open to the public, is a wetland wilderness of cypresses, oaks, citrons and pines. A 15-minute drive away, the town of Desenza has a cracking castle and Roman ruins to root around. Come on Friday and Saturday nights to see the beautiful people parading in their party gear; Desenzano has a lively bar and club scene. For daytime larks, Canevaworld (in Fossalta, 40 minutes away) is a massive waterpark with chutes, tubes, flumes and rapids, a lazy river ride and a pool you can just swim in. This being the Veneto, the playground of Lake Garda is within easy reach of many fine cities steeped in culture and history. The site is 50 minutes from Verona, while the canals, courtyards and grand palazzos of Venice are doable in a day: the city is an hour and 50 minutes away.