Holidays to Riva pair windsurfing and rock climbing with lakeside cafés and pretty parks.
Treats by the harbour
Lively harbour town Riva's full of traditional pavement cafés selling generous servings of limoncello and hunks of focaccia. Away from the fashionable waterfront on northern Italy's Lake Garda, it's got a 12th-century fortress, too. In the mountains north of town, the Cascata del Varone waterfall gets visitors gasping as it cascades through a limestone tunnel.
Get outdoors
Riva's a launchpad to a whole slew of outdoor activities, and hiking and biking trails criss-cross the hillsides around. The town's mountain neighbour Arco is a modern-day mecca for climbers, while nearby Val de Ledro offers canyoning through limestone walls smoothed by glacial meltwaters.
Windsurfers' capital
A 45-minute walk along the lakeside takes you to the windsurfers' hangout of Torbole. If you'd like to try your hand, there's a trio of surf schools along the shoreline that offer both classes and rentals. It's also a safe spot for children to splash around in, plus nearby play areas make it extra family-friendly.
Out and about
Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Riva:• Lakeside path
• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Sailing
• Guided mountain walks
• Waterfalls
• Markets
