The real Lake Garda (once called the Benaco) has seen habitation since pre-historic times. At its wide southern end, it creates its own semi-tropical climate, where citrus trees, bougainvilla, laurels and palms grow amid olives and vineyards even while snow is visible on the mountains. In medieval times there would have been no bougainvilla, but the lemons and olives and tall cypress were there.

The lake saw many struggles for dominance, but the primary power in the 12th-14th centuries was the Scaligeri family. Their castles have a characteristic "swallow-tail" crennelation, sign of a Ghibelline affiliation, and occupy fortified points all along the lake. Later the area came under the authority of Venice.

At the end of the peninsule of Sirmione is a huge Roman villa complex called Catullus' Caves, no doubt a great vacation home for some wealthy caesar-type. ;)