Sirmione

The name Sirmione derives from ‘syrma' or ‘train' or ‘tail'. It is an extremely pretty walled town, in the middle of which is Rocca Scaligera, a moated fortress with drawbridge. Nearby can be found the porticoed church of Santa Maria Maggiore, carved out of a feudal tower.

Sirmione has a pedestrian quarter with cobbled streets lined with boutiques, cafés and cake shops. There are many archaeological trails to follow which are extremely interesting with magnificent scenery. Via Catullo leads along a rocky promontory, through olive groves to the 8th century church of San Pietro in Mavino. At the end of the peninsula lies the Roman archaeological site known as Grotte di Catullo, which is linked to the poet Catallus who died in Sirmione. The remains of ancient baths and vaulted disrobing chambers are reminders that the local thermal springs have been active since Roman times. Sirmione's spas now channel the sulphurous springs into a range of dubious water cures.

Sirmione cultivates its own olives. Using special techniques it harvests them and squeezes them to produce excellent oil with wonderful aroma and taste. Sirmione also produces its own white wine, ‘Lugano' which is often served with the fish caught from Lake Garda. It's possible to visit the wine producers and sample their wines in beautifully restored old ‘cascines'.