Day 1:
Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2:
Continue to our hotel in the town of Arco, located close to the northern shore of Lake Garda.
Day 3: Cruising Lake Garda, Limone & Malcesine
This morning we head to Riva del Garda where we board our boat for a scenic round-trip cruise on Lake Garda. Our first stop is the waterfront town of Limone on the western shore of the lake. Limone still has the typical charm of a fishing village with its picturesque harbour in the heart of the Old Town, narrow alleys and lovely waterfront terraces.
Our next ‘port of call’ is Malcesine, an attractive town with a harbour and castle, located on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Picturesque medieval lanes wind up the slope from the lake and pretty squares are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants.
Day 4: Optional excursion to Venice (£45pp)
Join us for an optional excursion to explore the unique city of Venice. Lining the canals are grand palazzos, many of them dating back to the 14th century, while other attractions include St Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the gondolas that ply their trade up and down the waterways.
Day 5: Day at leisure
Day 6: Scenic Dolomites (Molveno & Madonna di Campiglio)
Today sees us head out on a scenic drive through the Dolomites, a striking mountain range with UNESCO World Heritage status. Think sheer cliffs and impressive peaks combined with luscious valleys and tranquil lakes. Along the way we stop in Molveno, where the crystal-clear waters of Lake Molveno reflect the peaks of the surrounding mountains. We also spend some time in Madonna di Campiglio, a summer and winter resort town known as the pearl of the Dolomites that was also once a holiday destination for the Austrian nobility and wealthy bourgeois.
Day 7: Scenic Lake Garda
We enjoy a scenic coach tour of Lake Garda, stopping en-route in one of the beautiful towns along its shores. Garda is one of the main resorts towards the southern end of the lake. The old town centre still resembles a medieval village, with its colourful houses along the antique alleys. There’s also a small harbour and lakeside promenade – the perfect place for a stroll.
Day 8: Lugana Vineyard & Sirmione
The small viticultural region of Lugana sits at the southern end of Lake Garda. The vines are a relatively new addition to the lovely landscape of gently rolling hills and castle-topped towns, and we enjoy a guided tour of one of the vineyards, followed by a tasting of this fruity white wine.
From here we make our way to Sirmione, set on a picturesque peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The town is beautifully preserved with a turreted 13th-century castle and Roman ruins. Explore the historic centre with its maze of narrow, cobbled streets full of shops and cafés and plenty of scenic views of the lake.
Day 9:
Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.
Day 10:
Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.