Costermano sul Garda

Eons ago, when the glaciers melted and became Lake Garda, the ice masses’ movement through the land left behind a large morainic amphitheater. Today, Costermano sul Garda, set on a natural balcony in this hilly amphitheater, is the perfect box seat to gaze at the panoramic views of the lake and surrounding slopes. Costermano may be small, but it boasts some exceptional properties and restaurants — notably the Michelin-starred La Casa degli Spiriti — thanks to its prime location. Its hamlets are home to historic churches and villas, a golf course, and a lovely hiking circuit through the Valle dei Mulini, or the Valley of the Water Mills. There’s a lot of history here, from a park with the two oldest oak trees in the province of Verona to somber reminders of World War II, including the German War Cemetery, where 22,000 German soldiers are buried.

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Living in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, spanning three provinces: Trentino in the north, Brescia in the west, and Verona in the east. The story of the region begins in the Ice Ages, when glaciers moved through the land, creating a ring of alpine mountains before melting into cerulean lake waters. The result of these glacial paths is an environment that seems custom designed for the most enjoyable of lifestyles: Olives, grapes, and lemons flourish in the morainic soil; the temperate weather is livened up by mountain breezes; and natural beauty is everywhere. Many residents of Limone, a town on Lake Garda’s shores, turn out to have the “Limone gene,” guaranteeing long, healthy lives. While the rest of the world marvels at this genetic quirk, Lake Garda’s residents merely shrug—what else would you expect from a life spent in one of the most perfect places on Earth?