Everyone talks about Lake Como, but Lake Garda might be the better story. We’re spending two days exploring the southern and western shores of Lake Garda, Italy, starting in Sirmione at the Castello Scaligero and the Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo, then heading into the Valtenesi wine region for a Groppello wine tasting most tourists never find.
We hike up to the Rocca di Manerba at sunrise and drive the Strada della Forra, one of the most beautiful roads in Italy.
If you’re planning a Lake Garda itinerary and want the version with real history, real wine, and real small towns, this is your Lake Garda travel guide.
This is part one of our full Lake Garda road trip. Subscribe so you don’t miss the north and east side next.
Video 106 | Lake Garda, Italy – Sirmione and Moniga del Garda | Filmed June 2026
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⌚What’s in this video:
00:00 Intro to Lake Garda
00:37 Sirmione history
01:03 How to get on the Peninsula
01:43 Touring Castello Scaligero (Sirmione Castle)
04:22 Grotte di Catullo Roman ruins
06:41 Lugana wine tasting in Sirmione
08:39 Final thoughts on Sirmione
09:35 Driving to Lake Garda’s west shore
10:09 Touring a medieval Lake Garda castle
11:23 Groppello wine tasting at Podere dei Folli
14:17 A quiet Lake Garda village
14:42 Dinner in Lake Garda wine country
16:04 Hiking to Rocca di Manerba fortress
17:51 Driving the Strada della Forra (Italy’s most beautiful road)
19:26 Final thoughts & what’s next
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We’re Sam and Chris, a wife-and-husband duo who traded our RV life in the U.S. for a new adventure as American expats in Italy. 🌍 🇮🇹
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3 Comments
Lake areas between Lombardy and Switzerland are also really awesome places. 🥂
Fun fact: I spent most of my childhood summers on Lake Garda!
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