Alpine Road Trip: Villa Arnica, Lake Garda, and a Vintage iPod

A columnist from Monocle embarks on a semi-planned road trip through the Alps, starting from Zürich and heading to Lake Garda. The journey includes a stop at Villa Arnica in Lana, where the pool is a perfect 26C, and a dinner at 1477 Reichhalter with colleague Linda. The trip is powered by a vintage iPod, a thoughtful gift from a reader, which has been transformative for the columnist who avoids streaming services. The iPod contains 25 years of favorite hits, including tracks by Miki Matsubara, Angèle, Saint Etienne, Lisa Ekdahl, and Clara Luciani. The columnist also visits Villa Feltrinelli on the western shore of Lake Garda, a summer constant for 25 years, where the general manager Herr Odermatt and the owners have retained many staff members from the first stay. The columnist enjoys a pre-breakfast plunge into Garda's cool waves and a two-metre dive off the jetty. The trip continues south to the Mediterranean for lunch at il Pellicano, with updates on Monocle on Sunday. The columnist also mentions a Monocle road trip guide by Robert Bound from Zürich to St Moritz to Merano and back to the shop at Zürich Airport. The column is part of 'The Faster Lane' series by Tyler Brûlé.