Simply Lake Garda

We meet at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Paris. Continuing by rail to the handsome Italian city of Turin, we spend the night in a local hotel.

Please Note: For departure 18/05/2023 you will stay at the Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache in Lyon.

• Dinner

Making our way through northern Italy we arrive at Lake Garda. The largest of the Italian lakes, it attracts visitors with its crystal-clear waters, mountainous backdrops and charming lakeside towns. We stay in Desenzano, nestled on the lake's southern shore and boasting beautiful views of the Alps to the north. The town centre is filled with picturesque squares lined with cafés, ice cream parlours and bars.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We take a scenic cruise across the lake, making our way to Sirmione, one of Lake Garda's most delightful towns. Surrounded on three sides by water, Sirmione is peaceful and fantastic to explore on foot. The winding lanes and pretty piazzas are mostly pedestrianised, making it easy to visit Rocca Scaligera, a beautifully preserved 13th century castle surrounded by a large water-filled moat. Dominating the Old Quarter of the town, you can enjoy beautiful views over the lake from its ramparts.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Desenzano. Perhaps take a stroll through the pretty centre, where there's plenty of welcoming cafés and restaurants to choose from. The ruins of a Roman villa are also worth visiting, complete with mosaics and a small museum detailing its fascinating history. Other highlights include the archaeological museum, telling the story of the town's long history, and the magnificent 16th-century Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene.

• Breakfast

We travel by rail to the glorious 'floating city' of Venice. A boat transports us to St Mark's Square where we're greeted by a local guide for a fascinating walking tour. Next, we're treated to a leisurely gondola ride along its iconic canals, meandering through narrow waterways and under bridges - the perfect way to admire the city's old-world Gothic grandeur. With free time in the afternoon, you could visit the Bridge of Sighs or cross the famous Rialto Bridge. Perhaps explore some of the streets that locals frequent and discover inviting pavement cafés, bars and shops.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy another free day in Desenzano. You could relax at your hotel or explore further afield. Perhaps catch the train to stylish Milan, famous as the 'style capital of the world'. An exciting architectural mix of old and new, the city is filled with fascinating sights and landmarks. Make sure to visit the incredible Duomo - the largest Gothic cathedral in the world - and the famous 'Teatro alla Scala' opera house.

• Breakfast

Cruising across Lake Garda, we head to wooded Isola del Garda, the biggest island on the lake and only accessible by boat. The island is owned by the historic Cavazza family and is dominated by Villa Borghese-Cavazza, a superb example of neo-Gothic architecture designed by the architect Luigi Rovelli at the beginning of the 20th century. There's also a small wood of pines and cypresses, acacias and lemon trees, magnolias and agaves. We explore the exquisite villa and extensive gardens on an insightful guided tour before relaxing with an aperitif of local wine, joined by a member of the Cavazza family.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We travel by coach to Verona, famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A guided tour introduces us to the city's rich history as we wander amongst Roman ruins and medieval buildings, seeing Juliet's balcony and the Roman arena. With free time afterwards, you could visit the Scaligeri tombs, where the Scaligeri - the former rulers of Verona - are interred in the Gothic architecture. Or you could spend some time perusing the designer shops on the fashionable Via Mazzini. An abundance of pavement cafés offers the opportunity to relax with a drink and watch the world go by - a truly Italian pastime.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bidding farewell to the beautiful surroundings of Lake Garda, we board a train to Chambery, where we spend the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Continuing home, we travel by rail to Paris to join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast