Opportunity, Business and Lifestyle: Interview with Cordula and Edgar

Welcome to a new appointment of our blog series dedicated to opportunities, business and lifestyle on the magnificent Lake Garda. Our idea stems from a clear and ambitious goal: to offer concrete support to hoteliers, restaurateurs and all those who work in the hospitality sector in our beautiful region, in order to diversify and improve the range of services and experiences enjoyed by customers who buy a property or stay in this area.

In this edition, we delve into the story of Cordula and Edgar, a German couple who have found their paradise right here in Costermano sul Garda. Let’s discover how this unique location and its services have not only met but exceeded their expectations, transforming each day into an extraordinary experience. We also explore what they believe could be improved to make this area even more special and attractive.

Hi Cordula and Edgar, can you tell us briefly who you are and what you do?

We are Cordula and Edgar, a married couple from Bavaria. Edgar worked in management before he retired and I, Cordula, was able to turn my passion into a profession and work as an interior designer for many years. With Edgarˋs retirement, we decided to realise our wish for a second home. 

Can you tell us what area you bought in and what type of property you chose?

After a long search, we found our dream villa in Costermano del Garda two years ago with the support of CORCORAN MAGRI PROPERTIES: a beautiful modern house with solar, photovoltaic and smart home system, and a Mediterranean-style garden with pool.

What did you particularly like about the Lake Garda area?

Our first consideration was the accessibility of a vacation property from our hometown in Germany. We didn’t want to have to fly, and the drive should not be too far either. At the same time, we desired a mild climate and had a love for the Italian landscape, lifestyle, and cuisine. After several trips through South Tyrol, to the northern Italian lakes, and the immediate surroundings of Lake Garda, it was clear to us that we could fulfill our wishes just a few minutes away from the lake: Nestled in the beautiful hills above Garda, we enjoy not only wonderful tranquility but also a partly still authentically Italian environment, which reaffirms daily our decision to have bought a house here. 

What services are particularly important for you in this area?

Even though we spend a lot of time here at the lake and can and want to take care of things ourselves, we still want to be able to relax and enjoy our stay. The garden, house and pool should therefore be looked after, especially when we are not on site. This is essential for us and we have found reliable partners for the job. All day-to-day necessities, such as shops and various restaurants, are within easy reach by car or even on foot. As already mentioned, the quiet, rural location was more important to us than living in the centre of a town. We would also like to highlight the expansion of the cycle network that has already begun and very much hope that the other planned routes will also be completed. 

What services do you think could still be introduced here?

Basically, we would like to learn Italian! We spend a lot of time in this wonderful country and consider it a sign of respect towards the locals to at least somewhat master their language. It would be nice to have a learning opportunity tailored to the language needs of our daily lives as “semi-residents”. Perhaps combined with a meeting place for exchange between Germans and Italians.

Another point could be a delivery service for groceries and similar items.

Lastly, we hope that this beautiful region will not be “sold out” to mass tourism and that the local people maintain their originality. We hope that Lake Garda will not eventually lose its charm, as we have observed in other tourist destinations!

Our thoughts after the Interview

The fantastic couple Cordula and Edgar provided us with really useful insights in this brief interview. Several ideas emerged that may interest those looking to build or expand their business around Lake Garda. Based on what we heard, here are some proposals that seem particularly promising:

• Personalized Language Schools: Creating tailored Italian language courses for foreign residents looking to integrate better and appreciate the local culture.
• Delivery Services: Implementing a delivery service for groceries and other essential goods, easing the daily lives of residents and visitors.
• Cultural Meeting Centers: Opening meeting spaces where local residents and foreigners can exchange experiences and knowledge, promoting intercultural integration and understanding.
• Expansion of the Cycling Network: Continuing to develop and promote cycling paths, offering residents and tourists a sustainable and healthy way to explore the region.
• Home Maintenance and Care Services: Providing reliable maintenance services for vacation homes, gardens, and pools to ensure properties are always in optimal condition even when owners are absent.

We are excited to see how Lake Garda will continue to grow and develop, offering unique opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for all those fortunate enough to call this beautiful region “home”.