Italy - Bardolino & Isola del Garda

Day 1

We depart local area early morning and head south for our lunchtime crossing to France. We continue our journey to the champagne region. A 3 Course set menu is included this evening

Day 2

This morning after breakfast we continue our journey through France, crossing the border into Switzerland. We head firstly to the stunning lakeside setting of Lucerne, to enjoy free time before continuing to our overnight hotel.

Day 3

This morning we leave scenic Switzerland, travelling through the 10 miles long St. Gothard Tunnel towards Lugano. We arrive at our hotel in Bardolino late afternoon.

Day 4

After breakfast, we travel the short journey to the Medieval town of Sirmione. Small but stylish, bustling Sirmione is perfectly perched by the lake. Its' quaint castle is shielded by an arching moat, while there are Roman ruins to explore and heavenly views curving all around. We then board our launch and cruise across the lake to Garda town.Garda is a little gem set in a picturesque bay on the veronese side of the lake, between Bardolino and Torri del Benaco. This small town is a place with an ancient history, but still teeming with life, thanks to its magical atmosphere and its natural beauty.

Day 5

A day at leisure to wander the enchanting village of Bardolino. It lies at the foot of rolling hills covered with orchards, olive groves and the vineyards for which the town is so famous. Spend a day at leisure enjoying its medieval, traffic-free centre. Its main square is full of inviting pavement cafés where you can simply relax and enjoy a glass of the locally produced wine. The cosmopolitan promenade stretches for 3km along the lakefront to neighbouring Garda. Should you wish, you can take a ferry to nearby Lazise, a hidden gem of a beautiful historic walled town, and maybe enjoy lunch at a local taverna.

Day 6

A leisurely morning before we board our boat in Bardolino to cruise across the lake to the wondrous Isola del Garda, the largest island on the lake and only accessible by boat.

This paradisical, tree-covered island has been owned by the Cavazza family for generations and brims with pines, cypresses, magnolias and agaves. On the eastern end, fragrant acacia and lemon trees frame an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa, which we explore along with the manicured gardens on a guided tour before relaxing with a drink, joined by a member of the Cavazza family.

Day 7

Today we travel to historic Verona, a UNESCO-listed city that may be best-known as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Stroll the heart of this romantic and charming city to the Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's oldest square, which was originally a Roman forum and now buzzes with cafés and is lined with beautiful buildings. Or visit the fabulous 'Juliet Balcony'. Tourists are permitted to stand on the famous balcony, and many leave love letters stuck to the walls of the courtyard in the hope they will be answered. Alternatively, wander down the main shopping street, where Italy's great fashion houses are represented. Another popular attraction in Verona is an 84-metre watchtower, Torre dei Lamberti, which has fantastic panoramic views across the city to the mountains on the horizon, while the ancient Castelvecchio bridge with its crenelations and arches looks resplendent as it crosses the Adige river.

Day 8

After breakfast this morning we depart to Malcesine. At the centre of its network of cobbled streets and pastel-painted buildings, you’ll find the imposing Scaligero Castle, which offers some of the best views of Lake Garda from its tower. For the thrill seekers, there is the opportunity to ride the Malcesine Monte Baldo Cable Car. The ascent to Monte Baldo with the cable car is very attractive thanks to the cabin of the second stretch which turns 360 degrees during the ride. It's a perspective otherwise inaccessible: A peripheral view of the lake, hills and the mountains surrounding Malcesine.

We then continue to Riva del Garda. Riva del Garda sits on the lakeshore overshadowed by spectacular mountains. There is a pretty and historic centre, great shops and peaceful lakeside walks.

Day 9

Today, we head through Northern Italy amidst the towering Dolomites. We cross the Brenner Pass into Austria and enjoy a lunch stop in the spectacular town of Innsbruck. We continue to our hotel in Bavaria.

Day 10

After breakfast, we continue on the Romantic Road to our last night hotel - we spend it in the beautiful Rhine Valley.

Day 11

After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to Calais and our mid afternoon crossing home.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included