Five-Star Lake Garda

Our exquisite Lake Garda holiday begins today as we leave London St Pancras on the Eurostar to Paris, enjoying a light meal in our seats in Standard Premier Class. In the French capital, we switch to the First Class service to Lausanne. This elegant Swiss city lies on the shore of glistening Lake Geneva, backdropped by hazy French Alps. Our refined 4-Star city centre hotel is situated on a hill, overlooking a small park and the azure waters of the lake.

This evening we gather for our first meal together, a three-course dinner, as we get to know one another better and look forward to our sparkling adventure on Italy's Lake Garda.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Light Meal

We continue our journey this morning, observing the wonderful Swiss scenery from our First Class seats. The shimmering waters of Lake Geneva guide us to the Rhône Valley as vineyards blanket the slopes of increasingly tall mountains. We enter Italy through the Simplon tunnel, the route of the evocative Orient Express, as we make our way onwards to Milan, skirting the shores of Lake Maggiore.

A coach transfer takes us across to our hotel on Lake Garda, our base for seven nights. Located between Desenzano and Padenghe sul Garda on the south-western edge of the lake, our wonderful 5-Star spa resort nestles beside the serene waters, just a short walk from a public ferry stop, affording convenient public transport across the lake. Formerly a 17th-century palace, our hotel's original architectural features still remain while the luxurious modern facilities are ideally designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. This evening, we gather for a four-course dinner in the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We have a leisurely morning today to unwind, maybe taking a dip in the outdoor pool or strolling beside the lake. This afternoon we cruise across Lake Garda from nearby Desenzano, heading to the wondrous Isola del Garda, the largest island on the lake, only accessible by boat. Isola del Garda has been owned by the Cavazza family for generations.

Here, fragrant acacia and lemon trees frame an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa. There's also a small wood of pines, cypresses, magnolias and agaves. We explore the exquisite villa and extensive gardens on a guided tour before relaxing with a drink, joined by a member of the Cavazza family. We return to Desenzano by boat and have a free evening to dine independently.

• Breakfast

Today we travel by coach to historic Verona, a UNESCO-listed city that may be best-known as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. On a guided tour we're introduced to the city's ancient history as we wander among Roman ruins and medieval buildings, seeing Juliet's balcony and the awe-inspiring Roman Arena, which predates Rome's Colosseum and is now an open-air opera house.

With free time over lunch, you could stroll into the heart of romantic Verona to the Piazza delle Erbe, the city's oldest square, which was originally a Roman forum and now buzzes with cafés and is lined with beautiful buildings. Or maybe 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. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, where we sit down for a four-course dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A full free day gives you the perfect opportunity to get to know our surroundings better. The nearest town of Padenghe sul Garda has a small, picturesque harbour and an old, cobblestone centre overlooked by the remains of a 13th-century castle. Nearby Desenzano is often referred to as the 'Capital of Lake Garda' and its bustling main square, Piazza Malvezzi, can be found behind the beautiful Venetian port and below the castle. At the water's edge there's a pretty marina with an ancient harbour wall and a small lighthouse. The Cesare Battisti promenade offers a relaxing walk along the lakefront.

With a boat jetty near our hotel, exploring the lake from the water is another appealing option. On the other side of the lake, pretty Bardolino is a great choice. Known for its production of olive oil and red wine, the town hosts a wine festival every autumn. This peaceful coastal town has a relaxed ambience, and its atmospheric historic centre has bars, restaurants and shops where you can purchase local produce. Another place to explore by boat is the UNESCO-listed Roman city of Peschiera, or beautiful Riva del Garda, surrounded by mountains on the northern shore. Shopping and dining continues into the evening in these attractive lakeside towns.

• Breakfast

Today we travel by rail from Desenzano to glorious Venice - a highlight of our holiday as we experience the best that this unique city has to offer. On arrival we are transferred by private boat to St Mark's Square, the heart and soul of Venice for centuries. Here we're surrounded by the impressive landmarks of St Mark's Basilica, the beautiful Doge's Palace, and historic cafés. On a guided tour we meander through characterful backstreets, seeing the house where composer Vivaldi was born, the distinctive Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George, and the Bridge of Sighs - which links the city's prison with the Doge's Palace. Our guide shares stories and details of the different sights along our route, which finishes back in St Mark's Square, where we see the Clock Tower and the oldest coffee house in the world, Caffè Florian.

After our tour we savour a drink that has become synonymous with Venice since its invention by Giuseppe Cipriani, owner of the famous Harry's Bar. It is at this renowned bar that we enjoy an elegant Bellini, a cocktail mixing prosecco and peach, in surroundings frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Katherine Hepburn, Orson Welles and countless others. To maintain the luxury and refinement, we then embark on a gondola ride around the canals before a private boat transfer takes us back to the station. We return to Desenzano by rail and dine at our lakeside hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

By now you'll have embraced the relaxing Italian pace of life, and you have the luxury of a full day to spend as you wish. You might choose to unwind beside the pool at our hotel or take to the water to uncover the wonders of Lake Garda.

On the western coast of the lake is Gardone Riviera, a hidden gem and one of Italy's most beautiful small towns. Surrounded by mountains, the town features the André Heller Botanic Garden, with unusual plants from all over the world - Japanese gardens, water features and grottoes - decorated with contemporary art sculptures.

Near the northern edge of the lake is the gorgeous medieval hamlet of Malcesine which has a striking castle and palace, overlooking the fjordlike lake and facing the dramatic mountains of Lake Garda's imposing western shores. You could visit the impressive 14th-century castle which dominates the town, or there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and street food stalls to choose from in this relaxed and friendly lakeside town. Making your way back to our hotel by boat, you can admire the diverse scenery of Lake Garda as steep alpine slopes become gentler as you get closer to Padenghe.

• Breakfast

This morning we take a short cruise to Sirmione, one of Lake Garda's most delightful towns. Set on a narrow peninsula which stretches into the lake, this fascinating fortress town is a pleasure to explore on foot. You are free to discover Sirmione independently over lunchtime and into the afternoon. Among the old town's medieval streets and colourful piazzas, you'll find beautifully restored buildings, including a 14th-century church, as well as inviting trattorias and pavement cafés. For lunch, local specialities include fresh fish and seafood, pizza and delicious homemade pasta, including pumpkin ravioli and tortellini.

A short walk from the Old Town is the striking medieval Scaligero Castle, which guards the entrance to the peninsula of Sirmione. From the top of its fortified walls, it's possible to enjoy great views across the lake towards the mountains. Another ancient site to explore is the extraordinary Grottoes of Catullus, the preserved remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Italy, set on a small hill at the tip of the peninsula, with a museum and wonderful views from the top.

We leave Sirmione this evening and head to a nearby winery for a highlight of our holiday. This family-run estate works with native grape varieties including Groppello and Tuchì to produce excellent local wines. At the winery's restaurant in a stunning 15th-century farmhouse, we enjoy a tasting of five of their wines while savouring a wonderful homemade dinner of tasty local specialities.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely morning, we leave the blissful surroundings of Lake Garda as we transfer by coach to Milan, from where we continue to Chambéry in France by First Class rail. From Turin, we enter the Alps, following the course of the Dora Ripiara valley past rolling hills and snow-capped mountains before entering the Fréjus rail tunnel. Emerging in France, we are greeted by impressive alpine scenery as we wind our way to charming Chambéry, where we stay for the night.

As the former seat of the Dukes of Savoy, their impressive château still dominates the picturesque town centre. The town has a handsome cathedral, and its central square - Place Saint-Leger - is surrounded by historic monuments, colourful tall houses and several outdoor restaurants.

After checking in to our central 4-Star hotel, we have our final evening meal together, a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we take the short walk to Chambéry train station to board the direct train to Paris, enjoying the gentle French scenery from our First Class seats. As the rustic villages and rolling fields of France pass by our windows, we can begin to look back on this fantastic holiday to Lake Garda and the unforgettable experiences we have enjoyed. From the exquisite day we spent in Venice, to the charming towns of laid-back Lake Garda and the wonderful wine-tasting and meal, we have immersed ourselves in all that this beautiful part of the world has become renowned for.

In Paris, we change to the Eurostar, enjoying a light meal in our seats in Standard Premier Class. On arrival back at London St Pancras, we say farewell to our fellow travelling companions, with whom we have shared these fantastic memories.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Light Meal