Sirmione on Lake Garda

From London St Pancras, we board the Eurostar to Paris. From the French capital, we continue by rail to the handsome French city of Lyon. Arriving in the evening, we check into our hotel for the night before sitting down for our first dinner together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

We take the train from Lyon to Milan, where we join a coach that takes us to picture-perfect Sirmione. Nestled on the shimmering shores of Lake Garda, the town is known as the 'Pearl of the Lake' and is the perfect spot from which to take in all the area has to offer. The largest of the Italian lakes, Lake Garda is known around the world as one of its most stunning, boasting Mediterranean panoramas of rolling vineyards and olive groves. Arriving in Sirmione, we check into our hotel, where we spend the next seven nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free in Sirmione, a place bursting with history and charm. Found on a thin peninsula at the southern end of Lake Garda, where the lakefront feels almost sea-like and inviting beaches line the shores, Sirmione is a pleasure to discover. During your explorations, you could step back in time at the Rocca Scaligera, the beautifully preserved 13th-century castle that dominates the town's Old Quarter. Surrounded by a large water-filled moat, the castle's position on the narrowest part of the peninsula means the views it offers across the lake are breathtaking.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We visit historic Verona for a guided tour, seeing Juliet's famous balcony and the great Roman arena. With free time this afternoon, you could stroll along the Piazza delle Erbe, a former Roman forum. Leaving Verona, we head to a local wine cooperative in Valpolicella which has been in the Mazzi family for over a century and is now passionately run by brothers Roberto, Stefano and Antonio. We enjoy an insight into local wine production with a tour and a tasting of the excellent wines, including the famous full-bodied red Amarone, before sitting down to a mouthwatering dinner of homemade dishes in the idyllic surroundings.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Sirmione. You could visit Grotte di Catullo, the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Italy. Or, enjoy a taste of the region in one of the inviting pavement cafés or bars, where you could indulge in some of the best pizza or pasta you'll ever try. With the enticing vineyards of Lombardy found just to the west of the lake, it's no surprise that wine here is excellent, too. Perhaps take it slow and indulge in an afternoon of people-watching as you soak up the bustling atmosphere of the town, accompanied by a glass of local wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We head to the 'Floating City' of Venice by rail. Set in its own shimmering lagoon - an incredible environment that has UNESCO World Heritage Status - a boat transports us to St Mark's Square, overlooked by St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the iconic bell tower. We set out on a guided tour through elegant streets, passing narrow canals and small squares to visit some of Venice's main sights. Later, we're treated to a gondola ride through the city's emblematic waterways, an unforgettable Venetian experience and the perfect way to soak up the undeniable romance of Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You have another free day in Sirmione to unwind or explore a little further afield. You could take advantage of the area's famous thermal springs - our hotel has its own thermal pool, fed directly by hot springs, where you could happily spend the day relaxing. The chance to sightsee by boat is another tempting option. Isola del Garda is the most prominent of Lake Garda's islands and has been owned by the Cavazza family for generations. Here, fragrant acacia and lemon trees frame an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa, making it a lovely place to while away an afternoon.

• Breakfast

We travel by coach up Lake Garda's eastern shore to Malcesine. This narrow stretch of the lake more closely resembles the Norwegian fjords, with dramatic cliffs rising steeply from the very edge of the water - a truly striking sight. You have free time to get to know Malcesine. Visit its 14th-century castle, an imposing sight that dominates the town, or take the cable car to the summit of Monte Baldo, Lake Garda's highest mountain. We make our return journey by boat, admiring the scenery of Lake Garda from a new and unique perspective as we cruise the length of the lake back to Sirmione.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bidding a fond farewell to Lake Garda and Sirmione this morning, we head to the station and join the train to Turin, where we spend the night. The city offers up a charming blend of Italian and French culture and architecture, with wide boulevards lined with baroque buildings and welcoming cafés. With a free afternoon to discover the city, you could see the Shroud of Turin. One of the city's most famous features, it's believed to be marked with an imprint of Christ's face after being crucified and has been displayed in Turin since 1578.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our holiday comes to an end as we leave Turin and take the train to Paris. Here, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal