Malcesine

One of the particularly picturesque villages on the Lake Garda is Malcésine. One already notices the fact that many people do think the same while looking for an empty parking space. Just to leave your car somewhere, that's not allowed. On sunny summer days you can already be glad if there's any free space on a pay parking.

The country number plate <D> is, by tradition, considerably well represented. No wonder! Already in 1786 a tourist from D-country had passed who apparently, still today, seems to be remembered by some „plaque setters“. A wayfarer from Frankfurt named Goethe whom a commemorative plaque on a path going up to the Scaliger Castle and even a separate exhibition space exposing his drawings remind of.

You'll find this castle by yourself. Simply go uphill. Nowadays, from the Zinnen (peaks) one has often the chance to admire some paragliders circling high above the lake. It'd be interesting to know what Goethe would have said. Surely he would have seen his anticipation confirmed that somehow mankind must succeed in imitating the birds. And probably it would have bothered him quite a bit that it hadn't been himself who succeeded in divising the flying-machine.

Downhill, Malcésine offers marvellous views too. The old port with its ferry connections to the other towns on the Lake Garda is wonderful; with it comes a very special treasure which lies only a few steps away, the Captains' Palace.