Camping Le Palme

Lake Garda is more or less plonked in between Milan (an hour and 50 minutes’ drive) and Venice (an hour and a half), plus it’s 90 minutes from the southern reaches of the Dolomite mountains for some of Italy’s best hiking and biking. You’re most likely here for sights closer by, however, including the city of Verona (half an hour) – head here for a look at the 14th-century Romeo and Juliet balcony, professed to be the one from Shakespeare’s renowned play, as well as a massive first-century Roman amphitheatre hosting opera performances and the like. Mantova is another city to skedaddle towards for the dreamy Ducal Palace (15 minutes), a handsome building containing the fresco-filled Bridal Chamber. The same architects also crafted this destination’s Te Palace, whose Chamber of the Giants is completely covered with mythological murals. Want to keep day trips more local? Check out attractions like the splash-worthy Caneva Aquapark (five minutes) or set forth for the safari experiences at the Parco Natura Viva (15 minutes), a breeding centre housing endangered animals.