Sirmione, a small town on Lake Garda, is so beautiful that it makes people want to write poetry

Sirmione, a small town south of Lake Garda, Italy's "Fairytale Peninsula", is described by Italians as "the mirror that Venus dropped". From Roman nobles to medieval fortresses, Sirmione, the "little finger of the lake", has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times! In Roman times, nobles had long been attracted by the hot springs and lake views here and built luxurious villas (you can still see the ruins of Grotte di Catullo, which sounds like "Cave of Catullus" but is actually the ruins of a mansion covering an area of ​​20,000 square meters!). The medieval Scaligeri family built the Castello Scaligero in the 13th century. The moat and towering towers are still well preserved today. Climb to the top of the castle to enjoy a 360-degree view of the lake and mountains, and you’ll instantly be transformed into a medieval warrior! Hot spring legend: People have been soaking in the sulphur hot springs since ancient Roman times. Even Dante mentioned it in "The Divine Comedy". It is said to cure all diseases (at least it can cure "not wanting to go to work" 🤣). 🏘️Celebrity former residences of literary and artistic masters Opera goddess Maria Callas: In the 1950s, she bought the Villa Callas here and practiced her voice facing the lake every day. A classic love story with the Greek shipping magnate. Poet Catullus: The "No. 1 love poet" in ancient Rome. The ruins of his lakeside villa have become a popular check-in destination for couples today. The ruins combined with the lake view bring out the full measure of melancholy. Goethe and Hemingway couldn't help but write short essays when they passed by, and even Ian Fleming, the author of the 007 novel, came here to find inspiration! 📸 Travel photo spots 1. Castello Scaligero: Panoramic view of the castle and emerald lake, absolutely beautiful! 2. Stone Alley in the Old Town: narrow alley + flower balcony + cobblestone road, a total old money style. Wearing a white dress is like Roman Holiday 2.0. 3. Jamaica Beach: transparent lake water + pebble beach. In summer, you can step on the water barefoot and take pictures of your reflection, pretending you are in the Maldives (but with the snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the background!). 4. Sunset Peninsula Tip: Walk to the southernmost tip of Sirmione, where the sunset dyes the lake into champagne gold. Couples must take a silhouette kiss photo! 5. Lemon Orchard: Lemons are a specialty of Lake Garda. The bright yellow orchard + lake blue background is so healing that it looks like it was photoshopped! 🍝 Food Lake fish dishes: Lavareto (lake white fish) is a must-order. It is fried crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with local olive oil, so delicious that you’ll want to lick the plate! Fish pasta: Try the Bigoli con le Sarde (coarse lake fish pasta), the salty taste of the fish meets the chewy texture of the handmade pasta, it's addictive! Lemon-related products: lemon ice cream, lemon cake, lemon wine (Limoncello)...Sirmione is sour and sweet! Private restaurant: Il Girasole Restaurant (Ristorante Il Girasole): Lake view terrace + grandma's secret fish soup, do you miss home after eating one? La Speranzina Restaurant: Michelin recommended, the truffle pasta is so fragrant that it will make your soul leave your body! 🎬 Film shooting Call Me by Your Name: Although the film was mainly shot in Crema, the lake and mountain scenery of Sirmione matches the summer atmosphere in the movie 100%. Peaches + lake water = the literary scene of the pain of youth. Photography tips: Wear light-colored clothes! The blue of the lake and the brick red of the city wall will make you look like a reflector! 💡 Ultimate Gameplay: Climb the castle in the morning → Eat fish + pasta at noon → Soak in the hot springs (Terme di Sirmione) in the afternoon → Chase the sunset on the peninsula in the evening → Relax by the lake with a bottle of local white wine (Lugana) at night… Summary in one sentence: This place is so beautiful that it makes me want to write poetry on the spot, it's amazing! 😍