An alternative to the traditional hotel or campsite on Lake Garda is to stay in a privately owned apartment or villa.

Doing so can work out much cheaper than a hotel or even staying in a tent on a local campsite, yet the quality of accommodation is often higher and you can get a real sense of life as the locals live it, rather than seeing everything through a tourist's eyes. Unlike staying in a hotel-style residence with self-catering apartments, where all the other guests are tourists, when you stay in a private apartment almost all your neighbours will be Italian.

Il Palazzo (http://www.ilpalazzo.co.uk) - a unique 2 bedroom apartment in a restored 16th century palazzo with stunning views of Lake Garda and a shared swimming pool. Beautiful restored and furnished in great style, the property very tranquil and surrounded by woods and forests with dozens of walking trails.

Pompeo Molmenti (http://www.pompeo-molmenti.co.uk) - a luxurious three bedroom property with lake view, private patio and garden with barbecue, shared pool, walking distance to the lake and beaches of Moniga and plenty of bars, restaurants and trattorias within easy walking distance.

Il Brolo (http://www.ilbrolo.co.uk) - a very spacious town apartment with swimming pool in the heart of Salo', one of Lake Garda's liveliest and most sophisticated lakefront towns. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms, three large balconies with pool and mountain views, furnished and finished to a very high standard.

Il Bersaglio (http://www.ilbersaglio.co.uk) - excellent value two bedroom apartment right on the lakefront at Toscolano Maderno. Superb location.

CasaGarda (http://www.casa-garda.co.uk) - lovely apartment in a complex of just seven other apartments, with lovely lake view, restaurant within easy walking distance, shared pool and just 800 metres from the lake. Toscolano Maderno.

I Molini (http://www.imolini.co.uk). Beautiful gated complex just 350 metres from the lake and walking distance to bars and restaurants and just 5 minutes walk from the centre of Gardone Riviera. Very elegant and upmarket context, the apartment itself sleeps 6 and has a private garden and lake view.

You can find more private self-catering apartments at the website of the local managers: http://www.gardaholidays.co.uk .