Lake Garda Paddlers Italia and Zanardelli 2011

[marinemole]

Holidayed on Lake Garda in late June this year and pleased to report that both paddlers, the Italia and the Zanardelli were sailing. I couldn't see the Italia on a timetable anywhere and got the impression it was weekend only from the Southern end of the Lake into the Gulf of Salo and back. Unexpected trip from Salo to Maderno on the Italia and astonished that I could travel on my day runabout ticket.

The Zanardelli by contrast has a published schedule on the Northern end of the Lake between Malcesine and Riva. Didn't get to travel on her unfortunately but got some photographs.

Am publishing photos of the Italia and will follow up with pics of the Zanardelli.

Have video of both vessels but have still to edit it and publish on YouTube.

http://s669.photobucket.com/albums/vv59/carmanmole/PS%20Italia/











































Andy

[Roderick Smith]

Wonderful photos and information.
Everybody knows of the Swiss lakes paddlesteamers; the Italian ones have the same atmosphere and style, but are not known as widely (likewise the German ones, more river than lake).
I just have to get there one day.
There is a whole website devoted to news of the vessels, timetables for the current season, and special events.

Grazie
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[marinemole]

As promised pictures of the Zanardelli on Lake Garda travelling the Malcesine/Limone/Garda route and return. As they used to say up here 'Lang may yer lum reek'.

































Hope Roderick manages to visit soon. A wonderful country.

Andy

[Captain Andy]

Great photos Andy, I think there's enough on your photobucket to keep me looking all night!

[Roderick Smith]

I have been visiting Italy every few years since 1975, but always in Dec.-Jan. (off season for paddlesteamers) until my 2006 visit.  On that occasion, my paddlesteamer time was going to two major events in Switzerland: Vierwaldsttersee (Lake Luzern) and Lac Leman (Lake Geneve), and I have folios from both events posted to Paddleducks at the time.

I have travelled along the shores of all three major lakes (Como, Maggiore and Garda) by train, as the glacial valleys which formed them also defined the through transit routes for railways and roads to Switzerland and to Austria.

Inspired by the album of beautiful photos for Lago Garda, I am now reviving my Italian (I studied the language for 2 years, but use it far more by morphing it into Spanish), I am now practicing two songs which I have played and sung at various times (but rarely both skills simultaneously):
* Ritorno a Sorrento www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuGvdHYQzps (instrumental)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk5xIZrmbZU&feature=related (Luciano Pavarotti in Italian; Meatloaf in English)
* Funiculi Funicular www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaO1GrltxwM (Luciano Pavarotti)

For information on schedules and news of the vessels:
www.swissitalianpaddlesteamers.com

I found this by googling, but it seems to lack scope outside Europe:
http://paddlesteamers.awardspace.com/RestaurantGuide.htm
http://paddlesteamers.awardspace.com/Preserved%20paddlers%20outside%20Europe.htm

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[marinemole]

Great photos Andy, I think there's enough on your photobucket to keep me looking all night!

Thanks Andy. Fascinated by your 'aircraft carrier' paddler! Looking forward to seeing your next project.

Andy