Stunning Lake Garda lies at the foot of the Trentino Alps and is one of Italy’s most beautiful locations, enjoying a particularly warm Mediterranean climate. Olives, grapes and figs grow in abundance, while palm trees and magnolias provide shade from the midday sun – creating a fragrant and beautiful backdrop.
This 8-night holiday takes you to some of the area’s highlights, including a scenic cruise on the lake and a trip to the lovely city of Verona.
Your 9-day itinerary:
Day 1: We travel south and board the Eurotunnel to Calais. We continue east - through France - and stay overnight in northern France.
Day 2: After breakfast we continue our journey towards the Italian border, where we will stay overnight.
Day 3: We arrive at our hotel in Riva del Garda this afternoon, where we will stay for 5 nights.
Days 4-7: Over the next 4 days we will enjoy:
- A day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Garda, with a boat trip and free time in some of the pretty villages around the lake.
- A visit to the beautiful city of Verona – ‘Shakespeare’s city of love.’ A walking tour is included, and you’ll be given plenty of time to explore.
- A full trip to Bolzano and the Renon plateau, with a cable car ride and trip on a narrow-gauge railway.
- A free day in the resort to relax or venture further afield as you choose.
Day 8: We leave our resort after breakfast and stay overnight in northern France.
Day 9: We continue our journey through northern France to Calais and board the Eurotunnel to Folkestone and home.
Hotel La Perla, Riva del Garda, 3 star
The 3-star Hotel La Perla is ideally located just 100 yards from the shore in the resort town of Riva del Garda at the northern end of the lake. This is the dramatic end of Lake Garda, with mountains rising on either side, and Riva sitting comfortably on the shore.
The town was part of Austria until 1918, and there is still something sedate and un-Italian about the streets and architecture. Visitors can wander among winding streets and relax in waterfront squares. The lakeside area has a small harbour, park and beach for you to explore – you won’t be short of a pleasant place for an after-dinner stroll.
The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace with loungers, so you can swim, sunbathe or relax in the shade in your spare time.
Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar and relax in the bright public areas, furnished with tables, chairs and sofas. The on-site restaurant serves international cuisine. There is a lift for your convenience.
The simple but comfortable rooms include a TV, telephone, safe, a ceiling fan and a private bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer. They also have a balcony each, so you can sit out and enjoy the fresh air.
Included excursions:
Discover Lake Garda – included full day trip
A day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Garda. As we are staying at the northern end of the lake, we will explore some of the picturesque towns and villages nearby.
Our trip will include a relaxing boat ride on the lake, with plenty of free time in some lovely locations to explore, and a chance to sample some of the local wines at a traditional vineyard.
Day trip to Verona, ‘the city of love’– included full day trip
The city of Verona is one of the region’s seven provincial capitals, and has plenty of attractions. Packed full of museums and historic buildings, the city is easy to get around on foot and will keep every visitor busy for hours.
Lovers of Shakespeare will already know that the Bard set three of his plays in the city - The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew and, of course, Romeo and Juliet, for which the location has been named ‘the city of love.’ Don’t miss the famous balcony where – allegedly – the real Juliet made her speech to her beloved.
To make sure you don’t miss any of the must-see sights, we have arranged a special guided walking tour of the city which will help you get your bearings.
Bolzano and the Renon plateau– included full day trip
We drive to Bolzano, one of the most attractive cities in Italy, where we will be treated to a brief city tour to see the highlights. Look out for the historic old town, fine palaces, churches and the famous Archaeological Museum.
From Bolzano we catch a cable car to Soprabolzano high up on the Renon plateau, where we board a narrow-gauge scenic railway. The train journey between Soprabolzano and Collalbo, through wide meadows and fields, with views of mountain farms and glimpses of the beautiful Dolomites, is a breathtaking experience.
From Collablo we rejoin the coach for a drive to visit the bizarre natural landscape of the earth pyramids (cone-shaped pillars formed by deposited clay with a boulder on top), before returning to our hotel on a scenic route through mountain villages and alpine meadows.
Price includes: 8 nights D/B/B basis with coach travel, Channel crossings and included excursions as shown. Price based on 2 sharing twin room. Single supplement.
Points to note:
1) All passengers are required to have travel insurance cover for this holiday. Ours has no upper age limit. Full details of the cover we offer can be seen on our website, or feel free to arrange cover independently.
2) Some European destinations impose a modest tourist tax to be paid directly to the hotel by the guest.
3) Overnight hotels on the outward and return journeys are often motel-style (they might be a lower star rating than the main holiday hotel) and may not have a lift.
4) We reserve the right to use the ferry in place of the Eurotunnel for Channel crossings due to circumstances beyond our control.
5) Running order of days out may change due to the availability of attractions.
6) Please be aware holidays that include walking & guided tours may often involve uneven ground (cobbled streets, etc) and steps, and therefore are not suitable for persons with mobility issues.
7) Terms and Conditions apply – see website or main brochure for details.