Category: Lake Garda Holiday

Simple, authentic, genuine. The cooking of Lake Garda is like a tasty and fragrant bread loaf. You can’t do without it! It’s almost like mopping up the plate with some bread when you eat at your grandmother’s house (you should admit you want to do it as well…)! And if you are one of those who count calories and avoid carbs, we could compare the cuisine of this place, between freshwater and green mountains, to oil… extra virgin olive oil, of course! Precisely the oil produced in this area, the northernmost of the world, beyond the 46° parallel. Here in Garda Trentino a delicate, not intrusive, enhancing extra virgin olive is produced with pride and joy (in 1998 it obtained also the Garda Trentino POD – Protected Designation Origin).

From cheeses to dairy products, moving through processed meat. How can we forget the luganega (a sort of sausage), but mainly the carne salada (salted beef), undisputed protagonist on our tables (recently it has also obtained the De.Co. – original and traditional product – certification). The recipe is easy: you put some beef in salt solution for 15 – 30 days adding some pepper, garlic, rosemary, bay leaves, sage, juniper berries and other spices which give this speciality a distinguishing taste, and that mixes perfectly with a classic side dish: fasòi con le zìgole (boiled beans with onions).

And if you are among the lovers of mother nature’s gifts, Garda Trentino rewards you with a vegetable called Broccolo di Torbole (a specific kind of green broccoli which takes its name from one of the villages of this area) which has a sweet taste thanks to the near Lake Garda and the Pelèr (a wind blowing from north-east), and with a texture that will win over your taste. From side dish to the main course, with the exquisite fish from Lake Garda: whitefish, tench, pike, chub and finally her… Madam trout! Undisputed protagonist of the best lake fish recipes.

We could even affirm we have created a real menu thanks to all these products. And how could we end without a sweet treat? Surely with the plum from Dro (another village of our area), that obtained the Protected Designed Origin certification – POD, in 2010. This fruit has a dark blue skin, a green-yellowish solid pulp which is appropriate for a long conservation (you should try it dried, it’s delicious). And if you are a cooking lover, don’t worry: this plum is a versatile element in the preparation of desserts , tarts, semifreddo and delicious preserves!

You know what? I’m hungry now: I take up a bit of imagination and the lovely products made in Lago di Garda, and I let myself be transported by the graceful sensations they call to taste. After all, could Goethe, Mann, Kafka and all the other writers who came here, have been inspired only by the places? I bet their masterpieces have been created after having tasted the delights of Lake Garda!

Live your dream by booking a holiday at Toblini Apartments.
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Impressive surrounding walls, high crenellated towers among those mountains that seem to be born to nestle majestic castles: we are in Garda Trentino and here, in the beautiful setting of Italy’s biggest lake, we can find many historical signs of a glorious past.

Since ages, the castles have always fascinated thousands of travellers and tourists who choose Garda Trentino as the ultimate destination for their holiday every year; holidays that are characterised not only by sports and beaches, but also history and culture.

We have tried to compile a list of the 5 most beautiful castles. Are you ready to wear an harmour, ehm sorry, some comfortable clothes and find them out?

• Arco Castle. Dating back to the 12th century, the Conti d’Arco’s ancient dwelling, now a ruin, is one of the most amazing sign of the medieval life in Alto Garda. The path to get there is astounding: three different routes twisting and turning through ancient olive trees and a breathtaking view on River Sarca and the surrounding mountains. The Frescoes Room can’t be missed with its representations of courtly life… and dream about being ladies and knights from the old times!
• Tenno Castle. Impressive, rather spare. Strong and imperious, no. We are not speaking about a Medieval Lord, but about it, Tenno Castle. Unfortunately, it is not available for visits because it is private, but also an outer tour is worth taking; from here, you could enjoy the evocative view sheer from the lake, and set off to Frapporta, a medieval hamlet connected to the above castle. To get there, people had to cross the ancient pointed door that preserves the grooves of the closing grating still nowadays. Here, time seems to stand still! 
• The Rocca in Riva del Garda. Since its creation (around 1124), it has gone through many changes during the centuries and it has been a key point for the citizens of Riva del Garda and the manyfold visitors. An inch from the water, directly on the lake, it seems to look fiercely the horizon in front of it. At present, it is home of MAG, the Alto Garda Museum and at Christmas time it turns into Santa’s House (keep it quiet, he’s resting at the moment!) From the fortified tower you will enjoy an incomparable view you can’t miss out!
• Drena Castle. Its impressive structure strikes the gaze when coming to Arco from north. Its elegant walls, the majestic 22-meter-high crenellated tower, the central fortified tower and the ruins of an ancient church. Even just the unique view is worth a visit: the surrounding valleys and the “moon” stretch called “deserto delle Marocche”.

• Castel Penede – Nago. Now a ruin, the remains of this castle date back to Roman times. Although there isn’t a proper building to be seen, it is really interesting visiting it for its historical facts (through the centuries, the castle has been competed for many times) and the amazing view on Lake Garda, a proper observation point for its beauty.

If castles are your passion, how about a holiday at Lake Garda to visit all five? These listed are all in Trentino, on the north side of the lake. A comfortable accommodation for setting out to discover the castles?

Modern and design apartments in the center of Torbole: the Toblini Apartments. Take a look at the availability and choose your ideal period for a holiday on Lake Garda in search of castles!

Take a look at our offers now!
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It’s time to prepare the Christmas menu! Have you already chosen what to bring to the table? 

We want to give you a small gift: the recipe for the typical Italian Christmas cake, Panettone, with a secret ingredient from our beloved Lake Garda: DOP extra virgin olive oil.

To all of you our best wishes! And, don’t forget to think about your next holidays at Toblini Apartments!, the rates for 2022 are already online.

Ingredients

300 gr 00 flour 

90 gr Manitoba flour

80 gr cane sugar 

70 ml PDO Lake Garda extra virgin olive oil

4 egg yolks

150 ml water

25 ml milk

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons honey

100 gr raisins

100 gr chopped candied orange peel (optional) 

1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped

lemon zest

orange zest

6 gr fresh brewer’s yeast

paper panettone mold (500 gr)

• Prepare a starter: dissolve 3 gr of yeast in 70 ml of water and mix with 150 gr of 00 flour in a large bowl. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.

• First refresh: add another 3 gr of yeast dissolved in 80 ml of water to the starter. In a glass, combine 2 egg yolks with 35 ml of oil and beat with a fork. Add these to the starter with 50 gr of sugar and mix everything with 150 gr of 00 flour using a spatula. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in the oven until it doubles.
• Second refresh: add the lemon and orange zests along with the vanilla beans to the dough. Add 30 gr of sugar, the salt, and honey. Separately, like in the first refresh, beat the 2 remaining egg yolks with 35 ml of oil and 25 ml of milk, and mix everything with 90 gr of Manitoba flour using a spatula. Finally, add the raisins and the candied orange peel. Knead well until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl, even if it will still be somewhat moist. Place the paper panettone mold on the baking tray and pour the dough into it. Let rise in a lukewarm oven until the dough reaches the top edge of the mold.
• Once it has risen, temporarily remove the tray and preheat the oven to 180° C on static. Bake for about 40 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center of the panettone. If the toothpick comes out dry, the panettone is done. Once out of the oven, it has to cool upside down. Insert four long wooden skewers in a star shape into the panettone, then turn it upside down over a large pot, resting  the sticks on the edge of the pot to support it. Once cool, store in a tightly sealed plastic bag until it’s time to be eaten.

As a gift idea, use the same dough to make mini panettones in muffin molds, then wrap them up in a pretty Christmas package as a gift to give to those you love the most. 

Today we’d like to tell you about us. Simply about Toblini Apartments.

Our guests range from families with children to couples, even older ones, who want to enjoy their vacation on Lake Garda, at just a stone’s throw from the beach, but also the historic center and its many restaurants and cafés, for those evenings when you’d like to enjoy an outdoor dinner and aperitif with a panoramic view. 

Our apartments suit everyone’s needs. At RESIDENCE TOBLINI APT. you’ll find modern and super-equipped. one-room, two-room, and even three-room apartments. They were designed by trusted architects and modernized a few years ago, in order to offer our guests the privilege of a vacation with the privacy of a private apartment and the amenities of a hotel. 

Our strong point is undoubtedly our beautiful manicured garden with a large outdoor swimming pool and also a small pool for children, as well as a nice indoor pool that’s heated 27°C using solar panels. 

We’re the only ones with apartments in all of Torbole sul Garda that offer both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. 

If you’re looking for a vacation to justlay back and relax, you can choose our apartments with a panoramic terrace directly on Torbole’s beach with private access. Casa Toblini Al Lago offers six independent apartments without common areas in a privileged and impactful position. Here you’ll feel like 

you’re almost touching the lake, and you’ll wake up to the sound of its waves. 

Both of our facilities have large parking areas (a real privilege in the historic center of Torbole) and, above all, the guests of Casa Al Lago can take advantage of all the services available in the Toblini Residence (swimming pools, bar, garden, laundry, bike and sails storage) free of charge. 

The residence in Torbole sul Garda has one, two, and three room apartments that can accommodate from two up to a maximum of five people. 

The solutions – perfect for couples, friends, and families with children, depending on the layout – are independent, super-equipped, and have panoramic terraces, balconies, and large windows from which you can see timeless views: from the imposing mountains of the Lake Garda Trentino area to the lake in all its splendor. 

Of course, we’ve also thought about your safety, offering you the possibility to book an insured rate and a healthcare rate, even if this has always been one of our priorities: for over forty years, since the first day that dad Aurelio and mom Johanna gave life to the Toblini Apartments.

Now, like back then, we’ve always opened our doors to our guests, offering them what we’ve always provided: a quality vacation but with the heartfelt warmth of a family. 

A dip between heaven and earth. A gentle splash that is music to the ears of walking and hiking enthusiasts. We’re talking about the melodious sound of waterfalls. Nature’s true wonders. 

Which are the most beautiful waterfalls in Lake Garda?

You can find some really wonderful ones here that can easily be reached by car, like the Varone waterfalls, or after a nice walk in the woods, like the Gorg d’Abiss in Val di Ledro, or even those that are a bit more off the beaten path, like the Ponale, which you can get to also by water. 

Gorg d’Abiss waterfall

We’re in Val di Ledro, in Tiarno di Sotto, just thirty minutes by car from Residence Toblini and Casa al Lago (Torbole). 

Starting from town, you reach the start of the trail that, from the old Bugatini Mill, after a short walk into the woods, will lead you to the Gorg d’Abiss – “Vortex of the Abyss” – waterfall and its splendid emerald green color. Just like a fairytale! 

Varone waterfall between Riva del Garda and Tenno 

We’re in Trentino, home of waterfalls and woods, and the most vivacious wild nature. These spectacular waterfalls are the easiest to visit, even with small children. A practical parking area is available right outside of the entrance. And this is  where the amazing tour of the park begins. The waterfalls are in Foci, within the Parco Grotta Cascata Varone. 

The waterfall originates from the underground springs of Lake Tenno and, through limestone caves that were hallowed out over thousands of years, ends in an almost 100-meter gorge.

The Varone waterfall, just 8 kilometers from the Toblini apartments, is one of the most popular places to visit around Lake Garda. Historical note: the building, which serves as an entrance, was designed by a very famous local architect, Giancarlo Maroni, the same architect who, in that period, also designed the Vittoriale (Gabriele D’Annunzio’s villa in Gardone).

Simply spectacular and a must-see. 

Ponale waterfall

You’re probably already familiar with the Ponale trail, which we wrote about here. It’s one of the most popular scenic cycling and walking trails in all of Europe. But what you may not know is that there are some very lovely waterfalls you can visit right along it.

After Ponale Alto, you cross the bridge over the Ponale stream and continue to the left, taking the trail that leads to the Ponale waterfall, a hidden location, and that’s probably why it’s even lovelier to visit. 

And it’s even more exciting if you reach the waterfall by lake, with a canoe or even a SUP! Some extra “exertion” that will be amply rewarded by a spectacular view. 

These are the three waterfalls you can admire around Torbole and our facilities: Residence Toblini e Casa a Lago, both located in Torbole. 

Already have some ideas for your next vacation? If you want it to be vacation surrounded by the spectacle that is nature, take a look at our availabilities for the 2021 season.

It’s the season offoliage, delicacies like chestnuts and mushrooms, new wine, festive festivals, cool temperatures, while the sun is still warm: Autumn! And there’s no season as exciting as autumn to experience a vacation on Lake Garda.

What to see in autumn on Lake Garda 

An autumn vacation is always an excellent idea, especially if the destination is a place that’s great for outdoor sports, where seasonal delicacies (truffles, excellent wine, PDO chestnuts, delicious fruits like plums, PDO extra virgin olive oil) abound, and with a Mediterranean climate that blends harmoniously with an alpine landscape, creating lovely contrasts. 

If you’re looking for ideas to spend an autumn vacation on Lake Garda, in one of its most charming villages, Torbole sul Garda, then we have what you’re looking for  to (finally!) experience a stay that’s both relaxation- and adrenaline-filled. 

✔ ️ Photographing foliage. It goes without saying that the beauty of this place deserves to be photographed! Whether with your smartphone or camera, get ready for wonderful memories to keep and share on your social media networks!

✔ ️ Hiking. We have the most scenic routes at a stone’s throw from the center of Torbole! One of these is the Busatte-Tempesta, an enchanting itinerary, thanks to its breathtaking beauty and for the incomparable all-round lake view it offers. We have expert guides who’ll take you to discover the best hiking routes in the area: Stefano, owner of the Toblini Apartments, along with his brother, Claudio. You’ll be accompanied the most beautiful of places, step by step and free of charge!

✔ ️ Seasonal cheers with new wine. Autumn offers you the opportunity to taste the first fruits of nature, such as wine. This is Claudio’s passion, so he’ll give you the best advice and guide you through a pleasant tasting experience!

✔ ️ Relax. We’re the only accommodation in Torbole that offers apartments with a modern design and also… two swimming pools! One is an outdoor pool, in the beautiful private garden, and one is indoor, heated by solar panels. We’ve always been eco-friendly, and we try to help nature, which really gives the best of itself here. During any self-respecting, autumn vacation, you definitely have to indulge in a bit of relaxation, so a nice swim after intense sports activities is really a cure-all!

Nature in autumn is tinged with a wonderful warm tone that makes everything more romantic. The woods smell of resin and the sounds of nature accompany you on your hikes, without having to suffer the summer heat.

And the lake? Well, even if you just decide to sit and admire it, you’ll feel like you’re flying through “a blue that’s painted blue”, just like in the famous Italian song known as “Volare”.

Take a peek at our apartments with swimming pool directly on Torbole beach, or at just a 5-minute walk from it, and choose your ideal accommodation!