Jill Jacques steps into history, enjoying the beauty of the lakes of northern Italy where time stands still.
![A Week By The Lake](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/3895/201141/5869f4bab8111/A-Week-By-The-Lake.jpg)
As the plane begins its descent to Milan, I remember an illustrated talk on the Italian lakes I attended three years previously. The images blew me away – blue, blue lakes surrounded by blue mountains. I knew I had to go there.
From Milan we set off for Riva del Garda, situated on the north western shores of Lake Garda in the province of Trento in northern Italy, our chosen home away from home. We stop briefly at Lake Como, of George Clooney fame. We don’t see him, or much else, as a fine rain is falling.
The lake is still beautiful – a watercolour of mist and mystery – but I can’t help hoping for sunshine. We cheer ourselves up with hot chocolate, with cream.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at Riva del Garda, just south of the Italian Alps. The sparkling stretch of water gives way on either side to steep mountains that rise out of the lake like camels’ humps, the sheer rock broken here and there by patches of grey-green shrubbery.
In the middle of the day everything turns blue: blue water surrounded by blue mountains. We watch a yacht drift lazily towards the harbour, its sails brushstrokes of red and white in the azure landscape.
At the Portici Hotel, our room is small, but the window looks out onto the cobbled Piazza 111 Novembre. Leaning on the sill in the fading light, I feel like Lucy in the novel A Room with a View. At one end of the piazza stands the imposing Torre Apponale. The first mention of this medieval bell tower dates back to the 13th century, although historians believe it to be older.
Restaurants crowd the perimeter of the square, where tables and chairs spill out to take advantage of the mellow autumn weather. We try out our scant Italian and order risotto al funghi and red wine. Lights glow yellow in the soft evening as the clock in the tower chimes 10.
ãã®èšäºã¯ South African Garden and Home ã® February 2017 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ South African Garden and Home ã® February 2017 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
![ALL THE COLOURS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/O4x1ja-pz1711699684695/ALL-THE-COLOURS.jpg)
ALL THE COLOURS
My wardrobe may be mostly black, but my world is awash with every hue
![Be Prepared Pet First Aid](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/l2_sU1icU1711699561688/BE-PREPARED-PET-FIRST-AID.jpg)
Be Prepared Pet First Aid
Get a wound-care first aid kit ready for when pet emergencies strike with the help of veterinarian Dr Caitlyn
![ESCAPE THE CITY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/nfAV5bI761711699249194/ESCAPE-THE-CITY.jpg)
ESCAPE THE CITY
You don't need to travel far from the city to experience the best South Africa has to offer this Easter weekend
![BRING THE HEAT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/0G-7IxkS91711699108523/BRING-THE-HEAT.jpg)
BRING THE HEAT
Upgrade your outdoor living space this autumn with the essential element of fire
![ABANDONED BEAUTY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/se1pNZl3T1711698864198/ABANDONED-BEAUTY.jpg)
ABANDONED BEAUTY
Bring love into your home with the leftovers of nature and second-hand treasures
![ADAPT and GROW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/B1x0migrA1711698419312/ADAPT-AND-GROW.jpg)
ADAPT and GROW
This Johannesburg garden proves some trends are always worth following
![FIERY SUCCULENTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/oTzWoL2wF1711697678431/FIERY-SUCCULENTS.jpg)
FIERY SUCCULENTS
Spice up your autumn and winter garden with these warm-toned succulent species
![Paint Your Patio](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/RkLNPztiY1711697439576/PAINT-YOUR-PATIO.jpg)
Paint Your Patio
Learn how to paint your patio floor with Elle
![Art of LIVING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/tPIkD3oPC1711697224922/ART-OF-LIVING.jpg)
Art of LIVING
A visit to the former home and garden of Sir Hans Heysen and his talented daughter, Nora, opens a window to their artworks and lives
![IN BALANCE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3895/1648062/tOhKXmmOs1711696692207/IN-BALANCE.jpg)
IN BALANCE
While it was first and foremost created to fit around their family, this 1920s home at the foot of Table Mountain reflects the refined design sensibilities and collector's eye of its owners