Gardone
Just after the departure, along the shore, is Palazzo Martinengo. This manneristic style palace was built in the mid 16th century by the marquis Sforza Pallavicino, General of Venice. Ten minutes later, the boat sets shore on the internationally renowned tourist spot Gardone Riviera. Situated on a shore rich with villas, hotels and gardens, the town is sheltered from westerly winds by and ample crown of hills and mountains. It has possible Barbaresque origins, eventual ownership by the bishop of Brescia, then by the Ugoni family. Gardone Riviera is composed of two distinct nuclei. The first, Gardone di Sotto (or Lower Gardone), houses along the Lake-shore the Hruska Botanical Garden (created in '900 by the botanist explorer and doctor of the same name) with its collection of alpine species arranged in a mountainous setting inspired by the Dolomites, and the neo-classic Villa Alba with a vast 43 sq. Meter communal park filled with rare and precious essences. The touristic development of Gardone dates back to the end of end of 19th century with the opera of the German Luigi Wemmer. Another plus for the town came during the period of 1921-1938 when Gabriele D'Annunzio resided at Gardone di Sopra (Upper Gardone) in the celebrated complex of Vittoriale degli Italiani (which the poet donated to the State in 1923). Situated in a vast park which extended to the slopes of the Gargnacco hills, it was comprised of a collection of structures arranged by D'Annunzio himself with the help of architect Gian Carlo Maroni. Worthy of mention are the Teatro all'aperto (open theater), the Mausoleo (mausoleum), the Mas '96, the bow of the ship Puglia, and above all the Prioria, the poet's residence; an interesting and unique combination of library, archive, various collections, stage settings, curiosities, and both authentic and copied art.