Sea snakes Lake Garda- harmless?

by **Bella** on 08 Jul 2011 00:00

Anyone know if the sea snakes are venomous in Lake Garda? They look like normal snakes only thinner, hang around the water edge mostly in the evening when there's only a handful of people swimming, they swim up and stick their heads out to have a look at us. We were fine swimming with the fish but snakes are another matter, especially when it looks like they're eyeing us up for dinner. If they're harmless then we will be more relaxed enjoying our evening swim.

by **Acara** on 08 Jul 2011 00:08

Too far from the sea,aint sea snakes :lol:

by **KenS** on 08 Jul 2011 00:17

This is probably one for Ian, but AFAIK, they are harmless. However, the land based snakes in parts of Italy such as vipers aren't as harmless, but wouldn't be a serious threat to humans.

by **Bella** on 08 Jul 2011 00:34

meant to say water snakes. They're about half a metre long and happy to swim beside us which is a little alarming at first. They're very shy during the day, haven't spotted any then probably due to the activity on the lake. We were warned about the grass snakes biting and are poisonous but no one mentioned these.

by **KenS** on 08 Jul 2011 00:37

I think you're safe enough. If you don't post in the next few days, I can take it that I was wrong :lol:

It's a beautiful part of the world. Make sure you get into Verona at some stage. Well worth the trip. Venice isn't too much of a train ride away either and the shopping is good in Milan.

by **Acara** on 08 Jul 2011 00:41

All those trips were available when we were there Ken,but we figured we were in such a stunning place,we'd be better to relax and enjoy it,rather than go and sit in a coach.We got the boat to places like Malcesne and Limone(spelling may be out on both)and just walked the side streets,and enjoyed it all.
Did you go up the cable car in Melcesne?

by **KenS** on 08 Jul 2011 00:49

No, we didn't. We had a car and based ourselves about 20 mins outside Verona. We did Milan, Venice, Padua (Padova), Vicenza and Maranello (the home of Ferrari - another passion of mine).

I really love Italy and have been there many times over the years. However, since being diagnosed coeliac about 6 years ago, I've only been once. The food in Italy isn't great for coeliacs as it's very pasta and bread based. There's only so much mozzarella and Parma ham that a man can take. I love it, but having it for two meals a day for a fortnight is too much.

We're planning on doing it again later this year or next year. I'll plan the diet stuff in advance and should be fine.

I'll definitely visit Garda at night. I'm intrigued by these water snakes.

by **bandraoi dúchasach** on 08 Jul 2011 05:01

girl, If I saw a snake swimming beside me ... I would have a cardiac epidode!! no kidding! well done for not being a wusss!!
they do make the nicest handbags though!

enjoy your holiday!!

by **Bella** on 08 Jul 2011 09:17

First time in Italy and first time camping, took three weeks out to travel around a bit.

Seen all the usual tourist spots so far Siena, Florence, Venice, tickets booked for Aida on Sunday in Verona and plan on doing the Funivia cable car also, as we heard about the spectacular views. Ferrari place and Gardaland/Sea life on the list but think we'll take it handy other than that.

Cooking our own food almost every second night, there's a small gluten free section in the shop on the camp site and in some supermarkets.

Tbh really enjoying the whole campsite thing much more than I thought I would (even with the snakes BD) and yes the scenery around the lakes even beats Kerry. :lol:

by **Bella** on 09 Jul 2011 01:55

Checking in after an eventful day touring half the lake with hubby and two boys in our hired motorboat for €200! Absolutely brilliant, recommend it to anyone visiting Lake Garda. Guys on site hiring boat to us verified water snakes as harmless but the fish find them a threat. Another thing we found out from same guys is the racket and screeching at night time comes from the owls and not cats as we Irish all thought at first! My God I've been to a lot of places halfway round the world but this Lake Garda certainly ticks a lot of boxes. No doubt we'll be back, kids want to live here. Son took a very short video on phone after docking tonight of a water snake which we'll post when back home.