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It has been a long time since I last wrote about my travels? Today I am making up for it.
On 12 September I went to Sirmione (province of Brescia) on Lake Garda. The town, apart from being rather beautiful, is famous for being the birthplace of Catullus.

Who is exploited in every possible way. Tourists must not be disappointed.

Not being a great expert on tourist resorts, I appreciated this free hotel booking system (yes, for me it was something new).

In reality, the first steps in the town bring to mind the fine word «rip-off». This is the only civil way to comment on the placement of this five-euro tap.

What is more, I hate energy-saving light bulbs and exposed white cables. Especially when they are installed like this:

At first glance things get a bit better with the works of art displayed along the street.

But environmentalists sometimes overdo it with the use of recycled plastic:

Nothing to say against painting.

Italian-style yin and yang:

And then the historic centre begins, our real destination. The castle has its own model of street lamps…

…and its own house number: everything in order.

The most interesting part of the castle was closed.

But the most beautiful part was impossible to hide.

This would be perfect for a desktop background.

Discrimination on the beach: those who are missing a leg or have a crooked arm are not allowed to play football.

The town is full of olive trees; at times it seems they are the only plant growing in these parts.

After climbing to the top of a hill and crossing a small olive grove, we reach the archaeological museum. In theory it should display the results of the excavations of Catullus’s «grottoes». Photography inside is forbidden: an absolutely reasonable measure, given that there is nothing to photograph.

According to the information signs, even the remains of the «grottoes» themselves may not be photographed. Do you think anyone follows the ban?
Here we can see the rocks and the bases of the columns.

The only fresco that has miraculously survived (even if barely visible) is protected by a useless roof.

How could one not become a poet with a view like this from the window?

I would have written my first poem in the shade of that tree.

Unfortunately, over twenty-two centuries the house has suffered damage.

We can only imagine how large the windows were…

What the ceiling looked like…

And what the overall proportions were like.

At this point we can also return to the town. When you are in the centre, it is impossible not to notice the castle, even though it is small.

Just as it is impossible not to notice that it has been somewhat modernised to satisfy tourists.

But it is also interesting to wander a bit through the streets.


When the lake is not in view (often it feels like being by the sea), one has the impression of being in a city of central Italy, but with a lot of greenery.


According to the plaque, Maria Callas lived in this villa in the 1950s. But nothing can be seen from the street.

«Terme Catullo» is a name behind which there is nothing. Except tourists’ money wasted unnecessarily.

All in all, it is a lovely place that I recommend. But do not go there by car: you will spend three hours looking for a free parking space.
I could add that Sirmione is the town with the greatest variety of street lamps and litter bins, but I am not sure you would appreciate it… I will just allow myself to show you the ugliest bin among those I saw:

That is all for now.