My wife and I had a wonderful relaxing week on Lake Garda, good food and wine and weather.

In our walks around Garda Town where we stayed, and yes the town does give its name to the Lake. One day following the lake shore towards San Vigilio heading basically north we came across the Villa Carlotti-Canossa which had been built on an ancient Roman settlement in the 18th century and renovated to what we see today in 1875. It has a large lawn running down to the lake shore to the rea\r is park land and beyound mountains.

According to the Garda Guide book by Giorgio Vedovelli the villa ‘…witnessed the troubled love affair between the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio and the marquise Alessandra di Rudini, widow of the marquis Marcello Carlotti owner of the villa…’ It all ended tragically with Alessandra being locked away in a Carmelite convent in France there she died in 1931 the villa then passing to the Canossa Family.’

Initial research indicates D’Annunzio was involved with the early fascist movement. Perhaps there is a story here for Father Miller?

Also came across a Lancia Fulvia used as a wedding car in the town I once owned one wish I had it now.