Single Travellers: Lake Garda & Venice 2011 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Paris in Standard Premier Class, and we enjoy a complimentary light meal and drinks on board. In Paris we cross the city by coach to spend the night at the Mercure Hotel Gare de Lyon. On Day 2 we depart by TGV to Milan where we change trains for the journey to the popular town of Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda. We spend the next seven nights at the Hotel City, located in the historical centre of Desenzano - an ideal base for our time on Lake Garda. (Day 1-E; Day 2-B,D )

Today you have a free day to relax in Desenzano, or maybe travel further afield to bustling Milan. It is market day in Desenzano, giving you the chance to experience the smells and tastes of the local region. On Day 4 we take a cruise by private boat to Isola del Garda, owned by the Cazazza family. During our guided tour we visit the impressive villa and terraced gardens before enjoying a tasting of local produce and wine. On Day 5 we travel by train to Venice, here we take a private boat transfer along the canals. We enjoy a guided tour of the shimmering lagoon and breathtaking St Mark's Square, dominated by Doge's Palace, before time to explore. (Day 3-B; Day 4-B,D ; Day 5-B,D )

We take a trip to Sirmione, one of the most popular holiday resorts on the shores of Lake Garda, located on the tip of a long peninsula protruding from the southern shore of the lake. The town is dominated by its imposing castle, the Rocca Scaligera, and is known for its thermal springs - it was a spa destination even in Roman times. Day 7 is free to explore resorts dotted along the shores of Lake Garda. On Day 8 we travel by coach to the walled city of Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's magnum opus, Romeo and Juliet. We enjoy a guided tour of the city which features Juliet's balcony and the Arena, the third largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy. On our return we stop at a local wine cooperative in Valpolicella to enjoy traditional home- made dishes accompanied with wonderful locally produced Valpolicella wine. (Day 6-B,D ; Day 7-B; Day 8-B,D )

We leave Desenzano, and travel to Milan by coach to join our train for Stuttgart. We stay overnight at the Hotel Maritim. On Day 10 we depart by TGV for Paris, where we cross the city by coach to join our connecting Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (Day 9-B,D ; Day 10-B,E )

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday