DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN LAKE GARDA You should arrive at the airport to take your flight. On arrival, a coach will take you to Malcesine or Riva del Garda and your chosen hotel for seven nights with dinner. Firstly, in Malcesine, the three-star Hotel
Cristallo. This small and family-run hotel is set opposite the lake in landscaped gardens with a swimming pool, relaxing bar and well-appointed, tastefully decorated air-conditioned rooms. Alternatively, in Riva you can choose from the
three-star Hotel Brione, well-managed by its family owners, with air-conditioned rooms, restaurant, and pleasant bar, lounge and terrace. Across the road is the lakeside path, where you can enjoy a walk through shaded, tranquil gardens. Set in quiet landscaped grounds, is its swimming pool. There's also the four-star Hotel Europa in a very
central location, with a superb terrace overlooking the harbour and main piazza, with stunning lake view restaurant. The air-conditioned rooms are well- appointed and there is a small rooftop pool. Or, we offer the Hotel Savoy Palace, four-star
superior rated, fully air-conditioned and excellently managed by its third generation family owners. Set approximately 200m from the lakeside there is a comfortable lobby, bar, lounge and excellent restaurant. All rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished. The four-star Hotel Portici is beautifully located
in the Old Town, just 30 metres from Riva’s main square and close to the lake itself. The rooms themselves are thoroughly contemporary in the true tradition of imaginative Italian design. Guests are most welcome to use the swimming pool, sun terrace, bar and lounge area at the Portici’s sister hotel, the Europa, just 100 metres away. The four star Hotel Borgo Antico is in Riva
del Garda’s atmospheric historic centre on a pedestrianised cobbled street lined with tasteful boutiques and tiny restaurants, yet less than five minutes’ walk from the lake itself. The rooms are modern with the simple yet imaginative decoration at which the Italian’s excel so well. Coach access is difficult of course due to the historic situation, so a five minute walk is necessary from the collection point, but luggage is transferred for you. Finally, the four-star superior boutique Hotel
Kristal is arguably one of the lake’s finest hotels. Just 200 metres from the lakeside, it is set in immaculately maintained grounds with a beautiful heated rooftop pool and terrace, affording amazing panoramic views.
DAY 2 - TOUR OF LAKE GARDA Today we will have a tour of the lake, passing through some lovely, typically Italian villages complete with tiny harbours clinging to the shoreline with the mountains behind. We call at Salò, famous as Mussolini’s last
Republic after he had been captured by Italian partisans. However, we live in more peaceful times now, and there are some 15th century buildings and an art-rich Cathedral to see before we continue our journey to the delightful Sirmione at the lake’s southern tip.
DAY 3 - THE DOLOMITES Today we head north to the stunning Dolomite Mountains the result of geological activity some 230 million years ago, giving them a gorgeous pink and lime-green hue. The foothills are strikingly green pastures studded with pine forests stretching into the distance. We have plenty of stops today as well as the opportunity to ascend on a cable car (subject to seasonal operation) to enjoy panoramic views of the whole area. There are not enough words to describe the awesome splendour of this
rugged landscape and its clean, crisp and invigorating mountain air – it really will take your breath away.
DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today, you enjoy a free day. You could choose from a stroll around the port, a little shopping, a boat cruise on the lake or, for the more energetic, you could walk along the lakeside. Or, simply catch up on some reading.
DAY 5 - VENICE
After breakfast we take the drive to Venice, unique, caught in a time warp and as culturally rich as any city can be. We will take a walking tour during which we will see St Mark’s Square and its Basilica, the Campanile, Doge’s Palace together with countless other places of interest. St. Mark’s Basilica is a must: built to house the
relics of St. Mark himself, it is Europe’s most exotic Cathedral with the decoration inside certainly being very opulent. Adjacent is the Doge’s Palace, home of the most
powerful man in Venice who, incidentally, was elected for life. The Palace was also the seat of government councils and courts, as well as the prisons. St. Mark’s Square is a must too, and the focal point
of the city since its foundation. Today though, visitors have replaced merchants, and to sip a coffee in one of the pavement cafes and absorb the beauty around you must rank as one of life’s great pleasures. To see it all at once, why not take a trip up the Campanile, the imposing tower, originally built as a lighthouse and where Galileo demonstrated his telescope to a sceptical public. For art lovers there is Accademia, housing one of the finest collections in the world, or there is the Guggenheim with exhibits by Picasso and Chagall amongst others. Venice really needs to be seen from the water too, and what better than by taking a trip on a gondola. A short ride on one of them is a lovely and peaceful way to explore the backwaters of the city.
DAY 6 - FREE DAY Today you are free to explore as you wish.
DAY 7 - VERONA Verona is one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in Italy and today we have a guided walking tour in order to appreciate it at its best, discovering its hidden side too. We approach through the centuries-old city walls – when you enter the Old Town you cannot help but admire. The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona
and when you experience the atmosphere here you can see why. The two great lovers from rival families have inspired countless films, poems and dramas. You can actually see the balcony where the immortal words “O Romeo, Romeo” were reputedly spoken. The Roman Theatre is a must too, as is one of the Renaissance’s finest gardens with clipped box hedges and a dazzling display of colour. Another interesting site is San Zeno – arguably the finest Romanesque Church in northern Italy. One of the most delightful things about Verona is that although being close to Venice it receives fewer visitors. This afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you return to the airport, to take our flight home.
COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED WALK An increasing number of you want to stretch your legs whilst away so you may want to join our complimentary walk. Places are limited so please advise at time of booking. For more details, see Page 8.
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