First 4-member family vacation_North Italy 2019

             Destination: Lago di Garda

         Transportation: by land

         Duration: 8,5 hours

To start the relativly long drive with a baby in the middle of the night is a good idea. To train the baby's skin under the sun before vacation is also a good idea. To organize the vacation so that the elder boy will not be bored is not only a good idea but also a neccessity. Luckily, a mom required to be full of good ideas. 

We all excitedly were looking forward our first family trip once the destination and the way of travel were decided. Our way led through Slovenia, of which beautiful mountains were found in a misterious morning mist. 

As a first etap we stopped in Verona mainly because of me and the Casa di Giulietta as a must-see in the town. A Shakespeare drama, a world-famous balcony, crowd, padlocks, chewing gums, love messages and the statue of Julia whose shiny breast was polished up by the uncountable touches of tourists believing it brings luck into their love. Not as romantic place as it should be. And in real, Julia was never lived in Verona, only according to the drama...

After the season's first pizza, gelato and a short drive, we found ourselves at Lake Garda. My sweet Dominik said every day to me that I chose very well, even that I could not had chosen a better place and hotel. We all loved the food, the fascinating view from the pool, from the resturant, from our room. Regarding the programs, nobody was upset my plans. Each family member has its own favourite part. New experiences every day. 

Dominik's favourite was the day dedicated to Gardaland, which is actually Garda's Disneyland. The huge amusement park covers an area of 200,000 sqms, opened in 1975 and was ranked fifth in the top ten amusement parks in the world with the best turnover by Forbes Magazine. 

He also had favourite rollercoaster, the Mammut. I do not know when but he became a wild boy and put his hands in the air and do not  hold the grabber at all during the whole ride that totally made me crazy. 
As I was/am a mother of 3 including my husband, we needed to repeat that perfect day as they could not get enough of it within a day. I can tell you that not even 2 days were enough.

Gabi's favourite part was a little city approached by boat, called Limone. It proved to be a wise decision to purchase the "Happy Family" boat tichet which allowed to change boat as many times as we wished and so to try more types on the same day.
We chose the faster and closed to reach the northest city of Lake Garda, Riva, which is a paradise for surfers. Cruising back from town to town, taking pleasure in the scenery, enjoying the sun and the wind at the same time are all feel like a nice, relaxing day of the vacation. Limone is picturesque itself and seeing the mountains on the opposite bank makes it even more picturesque. Gabi wants to return there tete-a-tete.

My favourite and perfect day was the day when we used the ferry from Maderno to get across the opposite bank to reach the cable car Funivia in Malcesine up to Monte Baldo at 1760m, which is a compulsory stop for tourists. 

The rotating cabins are able to make you fully appreciate the unique panorama of the miracles of nature with Mt Baldo and Lake Garda. Mt Baldo offers large amount of trails at different levels for those who want to dare trekking along the Baldo mountain crests or simply walk into meadows along panorama trails. 

Astonishing view that I can't get enough of, indeed. While the boys were relaxing after a short walk at the "refill station", I kept on discovering the area. I found the paragliding starting point. Seeing the combination of lake and mountain, the colourful quilts coming to life in the wind gave goosebumps. 

The route led all way long very close to the lake and on our way back to the ferry, we stopped to dip into the cool water of Garda. It was crystal clear and refreshing! And it felt like heaven after such a perfect day. The sunset was seen from the ferry, with that never-forgotten view in my mind.

Leaving Lake Garda behind, the last but one stop was Venice, the city of canals and bridges. We took a train, then got on the vaporetto, visited the most popular spots (Piazza San Marco, Ponte Rialto), tasted ice-cream again, strolled the streets but as there were tourists everywhere, it lost its charm.


The final destination was Lido di Jesolo because we could not go home without dipping into the sea. Our hotel room was so roomy, enslaved us totally, therefore we decided to stay one more night. We did nothing else than enjoyed the sun, the salty waves, the sand. And took a lovely photo series, which remains eternal memory.

Finally, some thoughts from the youngest family member point of view. Our little one - without exaggeration  - twisted everyone everywhere round his finger. He got in touch with each person, should be young or old, female or male, no matter eating in a restaurant or waiting in a queue. No people could stand without babbling  and smiling at him. We caught many kind whispers between couples, collected more tons of appreciative looks, friendly smiles, praising words anywhere we appeared with him. I can say that he enjoyed this holiday not less than any of us. He is a real party face - hearing any music, his little hands are risen in the air, signing the rythm. What else this holiday will remain memorable of? Of the first two teeth. There, at the sea, after sand-eating, the first two teeth were discovered when rinsing with water.