Where to go when - Spring
21/05/2020 · By Sukie Chapman
Uncover the best spring destinations with Great Rail Journeys. Wondering where to go when spring beckons? Find inspiration on our blog and book today.
Read moreSave £200pp on selected Lakes & Mountains 2024 holidays, when you book by 31st July 2024
No Single Supplement subject to availability on selected departures.
2024 Tour code: DZL24
About the tour
The vibrant town of Desenzano, set on the southern shores of Lake Garda, is our charming base. With a peaceful harbour and characterful old town, the town is perfectly placed for exploring. From here, we cruise to enchanting Isola del Garda to visit the opulent Villa Borghese-Cavazza, explore the medieval lakeside town of Sirmione, and experience the magical ambience of wondrous Venice.
Unforgettable experiences
What’s included
Itinerary
Our holiday begins when we meet at London St Pancras for the Eurostar service to Paris. Changing trains in the French capital, we continue by rail to Stuttgart. Gliding through the vineyards of the Champagne region on our way to Germany, we arrive in lively Stuttgart in the early evening. Famed as the birthplace of the automobile, Stuttgart is home to both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz and contains a 140-year-old rack railway that climbs 673 feet in 1.4 miles. In the centre, the sprawling Baroque New Palace, which once housed Württemberg's dukes and kings, neighbours the attractive Palace Garden. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy our first group dinner together in the on-site restaurant.
Some departures dates will have a different itinerary on this day due to Italian engineering works - click here to see affected dates
Additional information
Hotel
Trains
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Reviews
4.2 / 5 · 245 reviews
Patricia
Submitted 25/Jul
Great tour guide. Wonderful group of travellers but some issues with the rail journeys. Running from platforms with luggage and in one case a 5 hour journey with insufficient seating for our group. This journey was not well planned but saved in many instances by our very capable tour guide
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Victory Chambers
Submitted 25/Jul
This is the first Great Rail Journey we had embarked upon, but it won’t be repeated. Whilst the Eurostar to Paris was great, the rest of the train journeys were anything but convenient or comfortable. Several delays meant that connections were missed and thus reserved seats were lost. On the 5 hour journey through the Brenner Pass most of the party of 36 had to stand or sit in the corridors of a very dirty and uncomfortable, old fashioned train. Bearing in mind that the majority of the group were retired people, this was far from acceptable. The train toilet facilities were disgusting, had obviously not been properly cleaned for a long time and lacked paper and functioning hand washing facilities. With the exception of one fairly brief journey on German train, the two day journey there and the two day return journey were an ordeal rather than an enjoyable part of the journey. Suffice to say, one of our party opted out and booked a return flight home! Our tour guide could not be faulted. He did his best to overcome the journey’s challenges within the limitation of his powers and was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. However a group of 36 is far too large for one guide to manage, particularly through train changes and, even more so, station transfers in busy Paris streets. Once at the destination, and throughout the holiday, he was reliable, approachable and very helpful. The hotel was clean and pleasant and the food was ok but not particularly varied, adventurous or interesting. The breakfasts offered variety, however, and were enjoyable. The scheduled day trips went well -one to Venice and one to Verona - the highlight being a boat trip to the Isola del Garda. The gardens there are beautiful and it is an idyllic location. All in all, Lake Garda is a beautiful location and we enjoyed our stay; whilst we would happily revisit we would definitely not opt to go via Great Rail Journeys.
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V Hosking
Submitted 21/Jul
Lake Garda Beautiful, the train journey taxing to say the least.
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Susan Pionk
Submitted 21/Jul
Only over booked seats and standing on a 5hr train journey stopped a5star rating
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Linda Matlin
Submitted 20/Jul
Unfortunately there wasn’t an option for no stars, which would have been my preference. Worst holiday we’ve ever been on
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Richard Dryell
Submitted 20/Jul
Wonderful holiday at fabulous Desenzano on Lake Garda! Hotel, food, spotlessly clean hotel, rooms with balconies, swimming pool and spa roof terrace was superb! Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Excursions were fantastic and well organised by our Tour Manager Simon Kane who was extremely professional, enthusiastic and friendly. It was good to have some free days to explore Lake Garda. The Group on 6th July were a great crowd and it was a pleasure to have enjoyed this superb holiday with them. ??
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