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GRJ All Inclusive Lake Garda

 
4.0 stars(232 reviews)
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Duration
8 days
From per person
£1,299 £1,199
Tour code
25LES
Mobility Rating 2
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Discover the serene atmosphere of Italy's Lake Garda, and visit the glorious cities of Verona and Venice from your base in a lakeside town

Soak up the laid-back atmosphere of one of Italy's most beautiful lakes on a GRJ All Inclusive holiday to peaceful Lake Garda.

Sail to the idyllic lakeside towns of Sirmione and Malcesine to uncover colourful streets, impressive scenery and amazing views.

Enjoy guided tours of two of the region's most fantastic and fascinating cities as you explore timeless Venice and historic Verona, a city with Roman heritage, best known as the setting for Romeo and Juliet.

GRJ All Inclusive Icon 02GRJ All Inclusive tours are all about making your holiday stress-free, so you can savour your experience. All your main meals are included, as well as selected drinks at your destination hotel.

More information

Enjoy More with a GRJ All Inclusive Holiday

  • On this GRJ All Inclusive tour, all meals at Hotel Centrale are included. On excursion days, a picnic lunch will be provided by the hotel
  • The included drinks package comprises 35 tokens per guest. All tokens for your stay will be supplied at check in. There is no limit to the number or tokens you can use on one day. 

  •  Drinks available include local wine, draft beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, mineral water and local spirits

Unforgettable Experiences

Unwinding on a cruise across Lake Garda
Unwinding on a cruise across Lake Garda
Relax on a boat journey to the gorgeous medieval village of Malcesine with its imposing castle overlooking the rugged cliffs of Lake Garda’s dramatic western shores.
Exploring Shakespeare’s Verona
Exploring Shakespeare’s Verona
Discover the historic city of Verona on a guided tour, visiting Juliet’s famous balcony, the city’s ancient piazza and the impressive Roman Arena, now an open-air opera house.
Experiencing the ‘floating city’ of Venice
Experiencing the ‘floating city’ of Venice
Join a knowledgeable guide on a fascinating walking tour of magical Venice, seeing some of its main attractions and hidden treasures, followed by free time to explore the city at your own pace.
Sailing to Sirmione, the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’
Sailing to Sirmione, the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’
Take a boat ride across the glistening waters of Lake Garda to delightful Sirmione and enjoy free time to uncover its fairytale castle fortress, fascinating history and beautiful views.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Day 1 – London to Turin

Your holiday begins when you meet your Tour Manager at London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. From the French capital, we continue by rail across France, crossing the Italian Alps enroute to the handsome city of Turin where we spend the night. After checking in, we have dinner with our group in the hotel.

Please note: If travelling by air, your holiday starts on Day 2 of the itinerary and ends on Day 9.

Please Note - For departures 7th May we will travel out via Chambery staying at the Mercure Chambery.

Includes
  • Dinner (Rail departures only)
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY2Day 2 – Free time in Turin, arrival in Garda

After breakfast there's time at leisure to explore Turin. This dignified city is an important centre of business, finance and technology, and is also a showcase of Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. Fringed by the Italian Alps, the city's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with enticing cafés.

In the mid-afternoon we continue by rail to the lakeside town of Desenzano. From here, we transfer to a 4-Star hotel in charming Garda.

If travelling by air, your holiday starts today at London Gatwick* where you meet your Tour Manager and group before flying to Verona. In Verona we are transferred directly to our hotel in Garda.

The small town of Garda is set in a picturesque bay and is perfectly placed to visit the elegant lakeside towns and majestic mountains.

Centrally located, a short distance from the lake, the hotel has a peaceful courtyard. A three-course dinner is served, with selected drinks included between 5pm and 10pm, tonight and every night in the hotel.

*Please note, for departures 19 June, 18 Sept and 9 October your flight will depart from London Heathrow instead of London Gatwick.

Includes
  • Breakfast (Rail departures only)
  • Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY3Lake Garda cruise to the medieval hamlet of Malcesine

This morning we walk the short distance to Garda's ferry pier for a boat ride along Lake Garda's eastern shore to the beautiful medieval hamlet of Malcesine. Enroute lakeside towns gather round the shore, before the scenery becomes more dramatic as we enter the Alps, with rockier peaks edging closer to the narrowing, fjord-like lake.

With free time in Malcesine, you could visit the impressive 14th-century castle which dominates the village. Colourful buildings line narrow cobbled streets down to the shorefront, where small piazzas look out across the lake. There are several picturesque squares where you could enjoy your picnic lunch while drinking in the view.

The boat ferries us back to Garda in the late afternoon, with time to enjoy views across the lake before returning to the hotel for tonight's three-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY4Day 4 – Enjoying the serenity of Garda

Today is free to explore Garda at your own pace. With access to a swimming pool at a nearby, sister hotel, you might like to unwind by the pool before lunch at the hotel. Or soak up the scenery of the lake, on a walk to the Rocca di Garda at the southern end of town. This outcrop of cliffs has breathtaking views across the lake and was once home to a 5th-century fortress until it was destroyed by the Venetians.

The historic centre of Garda is a pretty warren of narrow lanes with shops, cafés and restaurants, and a wide lakefront promenade overlooking a small marina and the shimmering water.

Alternatively, you could visit neighbouring Bardolino, a delightful town famed for its full-bodied red wines and its wine harvest festival, held annually in October. You can reach Bardolino on the public boats that carry passengers between towns on Lake Garda - or you might prefer to stroll along the 'lungolago', a flat 1.5-mile lakeside walkway connecting Bardolino and Garda.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY5Day 5 – Discovering Shakespeare’s Verona on a guided tour

Today starts with a coach excursion 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 are introduced to the city's ancient history, taking in Roman ruins and medieval buildings, 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 after the tour, you could visit Piazza delle Erbe, the city's oldest square, where you may choose to enjoy your picnic lunch. Once a Roman forum, the piazza now buzzes with cafés and is lined with ornately decorated buildings, some painted with frescoes.

Other popular attractions in Verona are the Torre dei Lamberti, an 84-metre watchtower with panoramic views across the city, and the Castelvecchio bridge, a crenelated 14th-century brick and marble bridge crossing the winding Adige river.

We return to Garda in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner and drinks at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY6Day 6 – A free day to explore Lake Garda

With a full day at leisure, you could make use of the lake boats to enjoy some more sightseeing.

A popular lakeside spot to explore is Gardone Riviera, a hidden gem and one of Italy's most beautiful small towns. Surrounded by mountains, and with a palm-lined promenade, the town features the André Heller Botanic Garden. This two-acre site is filled with unusual plants from all over the world, with Japanese gardens, water features and contemporary art sculptures by renowned artists.

Other places to explore by boat are the UNESCO-listed Roman city of Peschiera, or beautiful Riva del Garda, surrounded by mountains on the northern shore.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY7Day 7 – A guided tour of enchanting Venice

Today is a highlight of our tour, a coach trip to the 'Floating City' of Venice. On arrival we transfer by private boat to St Mark's Square, the heart and soul of Venice. This is the site of the St Mark's Basilica, the beautiful Doge's Palace, and historic cafés. On a guided tour we explore hidden backstreets, seeing the house where Vivaldi was born and the Bridge of Sighs - which links the city's prison with the Doge's Palace. The guide shares stories of the landmarks and our tour ends back in St Mark's Square.

Following the tour, there is time at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. You could enter St Mark's Basilica to see its atmospheric interior or take a closer look at some of the other grand landmarks we've passed. Wandering besides the city's luminous turquoise canals is the perfect way to soak up the ethereal atmosphere. We return to Garda by coach in time for dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY8Day 8 – Discovering Sirmione, the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’

This morning we take a short cruise to Sirmione, known as the 'Pearl of Lake Garda'. Set on a narrow peninsula which stretches into the lake, this medieval 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 streets are beautifully restored buildings, including a 14th-century church. You could enjoy your picnic lunch overlooking the lake or sip a coffee or Aperol spritz on a restaurant terrace. A short distance from the old town, the Scaligero Castle guards the entrance to the peninsula of Sirmione. From here, you can savour great views across the lake from the top of its fortified walls.

You could also visit the extraordinary Grottoes of Catullus, the 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 views from the top. We sail the short distance back to Garda this afternoon before a final dinner and drinks at the hotel this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Drinks package from 5pm-10pm
DAY9Day 9 – Flying home, or crossing the Alps to Chambéry

If returning by air to London, your group will be transferred to Verona* airport this morning before your flight to London Gatwick.

If returning home by rail we leave Garda by coach this morning, travelling to Milan then boarding the train to France. Travelling through verdant valleys lined by huge, rocky mountain peaks, the route crosses from Italy to France through the Fréjus tunnel before following the route of the rushing Arc river, providing glimpses of great alpine scenery.

The town of Chambéry is nestled in the foothills of the Alps and is the former seat of the Dukes of Savoy - their impressive château still dominates Chambéry's picturesque centre. Arriving this evening, after checking in to our overnight hotel we have dinner.

*Please note, for departures 19 June, 18 Sept and 9 October your flight will depart from Milan airport instead of Verona and fly back to London Heathrow.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner (Rail departures only)
DAY10Day 10 – Homeward bound by rail

For departures by rail, this morning we leave Chambéry for Paris. This holiday to one of Italy's greatest lakes combined laid-back Lake Garda, blissful lakeside villages and a mountainous setting with excursions to wonderful Venice and historic Verona.

In Paris, we board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International, arriving in the early evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast (Rail departures only)

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

GRJ All Inclusive

Enjoy More with a GRJ All Inclusive Holiday

  • On this GRJ All Inclusive tour, all meals at Hotel Centrale are included. On excursion days, a picnic lunch will be provided by the hotel
  • The included drinks package comprises 35 tokens per guest. All tokens for your stay will be supplied at check in. There is no limit to the number or tokens you can use on one day. 

  •  Drinks available include local wine, draft beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, mineral water and local spirits
Discoveries collection

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Centrale, Garda
Hotel Centrale, Garda
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Trains

More information on the different trains that are used on this tour.

Eurostar

The high-speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.

TGV

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

Enhance your holiday

Upgrade to Plus Class on Eurostar

Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?

Read more

As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.

Prices for an upgrade from £95 each way. Please call us for more details.

Eurostar
Flight upgrades

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Flight upgrades
London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

Read more

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

Read more

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets
Door to door luggage service

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service for only £179 per bag.

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The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.

Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 / 5 · 232 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (95)
  2. 4 stars
    (72)
  3. 3 stars
    (44)
  4. 2 stars
    (12)
  5. 1 star
    (9)

Shirley

5 stars

Submitted 5/Jul

Well organised tour, great hotel with excellent food

Collected by Trustpilot

Michael Dutton

5 stars

Submitted 3/Jul

Excellent trip.well organised and as advertised. Hotel in Garda was very good. Nice rooms, lovely food and friendly staff.

Collected by Trustpilot

Phil Cole

5 stars

Submitted 23/Jun

Excellent location , weather and not least superb tour manager .

Collected by Trustpilot

Celia Braithwaite

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

Beautiful place ,hotel great (Centralle ) Food excellent lovely staff . Just perfect

Collected by Trustpilot

MRS G PETERS

5 stars

Submitted 23/May

Our holiday was wonderful. The hotel at Garda was excellent. Special attention was given to the fact I was Gluten Free, I felt very well looked after in this respect. Garda as a place was really lovely. The travelling was a challenge with moving cases so many times. The trains journeys were really good and efficient. We were disappointed we did not get to Turin as our trip was amended just after we had paid our balance. We were very much looking forward to looking around Turin. There was no time to explore Chambery either so the travelling days were all on and off trains/coaches. Stuart our guide was excellent and helped the holiday run smoothly.

Collected by Trustpilot

Michael Nicholas

5 stars

Submitted 21 Oct 2024

A very well-planned tour with excellent arrangements regarding travel and hotels. The tour guide was first-class in his efficient but unobtrusive shepherding of our party of 25 tourists. We enjoyed every aspect of the holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

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