Sirmione on Lake Garda

Our holiday begins when we meet at London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. From the French capital, we continue by rail to the attractive medieval town of Chambéry, surrounded by the French Alps. On arrival, we check into our hotel for the night, with a little free time to look around before our first group dinner together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar light meal

After breakfast, we take the train from Chambéry to Milan, passing Les Deux-Alpes and the Vanoise National Park enroute. In Milan we are taken by coach to the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione, on the southern shores of Lake Garda - Italy's largest lake. The town's most distinctive feature is its handsome fortress castle and drawbridge, which guards the entrance to Sirmione's long, narrow peninsula which stretches out into the shimmering lake. We cross the drawbridge and water-filled moat on the way to our stylish hotel, 700 metres from the castle. This family-run hotel is a favourite among our customers and, with its stunning lakeside setting, swimming pools and a fabulous luxury spa whose thermal pool is fed directly by Sirmione's renowned hot springs, it's hardly surprising. There's time to settle in to our surroundings and soak up the idyllic setting, before dinner in the hotel's restaurant, looking over beautiful Lake Garda.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast overlooking the lake, you have a free day stretching out ahead of you. You may choose to get to know enchanting Sirmione, which you'll have already noticed is bursting with history and charm. The lakefront feels almost sea-like and not far away, towards the tip of the peninsula is the inviting Jamaica Beach. You could visit the beautifully-preserved medieval Scaligero Castle, which we passed through as we entered the town. The castle was constructed in the 12th century by the Scaligeri, the ruling family of Verona, and it's possible to enjoy great views across the lake from the top of its fortified walls. The old town - also called the 'centro storico' - is a pleasure to discover. Here you'll find a maze of medieval churches, charming restaurants, cafés, and interesting buildings such as Palazzo Callas, home of the opera singer Maria Callas, in the 1950s. The Maria Callas Parco, a small park with a viewpoint, is a peaceful green space, just outside the 'centro storico' on the opposite side of the old town from our hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today starts with a visit to historic Verona and a guided tour. We see Juliet's famous balcony and the city's 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. Or wander down the main shopping street where Italy's great fashion houses are represented. Leaving Verona this afternoon, we head to a charming wine cooperative in rural Valpolicella to indulge in one of the highpoints of our holiday. This traditional winery has been run by the Mazzi family for over a century, and is led by the effusive brothers Roberto, Stefano and Antonio who continue their family winemaking tradition with passion. We learn about local wine production during a tour and a tasting of excellent red wines, including their full-bodied red Amarone, before a private, mouth-watering dinner of homemade traditional dishes in the cosy dining room of the Mazzi's stone farmhouse.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you have another opportunity to explore lovely Sirmione at leisure. You could visit Grotte di Catullo, the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Italy, set on a small hill at the tip of the peninsula, with wonderful views from the top, or enjoy coffee or lunch at one of the inviting pavement cafés. Sirmione has an excellent choice of eateries, from traditional osterias or trattorias to fine dining restaurants. Fresh fish and seafood, pizzas and delicious homemade pasta, including pumpkin ravioli and tortellini with meat or vegetables, feature on many menus. With the famed vineyards of Lombardy and Veneto nearby, it's no surprise that the wine here is notable too. You might choose to take it slow and indulge in an afternoon of people-watching as you soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a glass of local wine. This evening, we dine at our hotel restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we experience another highlight of our holiday, starting the day with a First Class rail journey to Venice. Known as 'La Serenissima', this enchanting city is made up of many islands, linked by bridges and intricate canals, and set in a shimmering lagoon. On arrival, we're taken by boat to St Mark's Square - the epicentre of this magical city, surrounded by the ornate St Mark's Basilica, the delicate pink Doge's Palace, and 300-year-old cafés which were once frequented by Lord Byron and Charles Dickens. We're taken on a guided tour through fascinating streets and characterful squares to see Venice's main sights.

The finale of our experience in Venice is a delightful private gondola ride. Gliding through the city's luminous canals - beneath ancient arched bridges, passing exquisite Venetian palazzos and beautiful ruins - is an unforgettable experience and the perfect way to soak up the ethereal atmosphere. With free time this afternoon and a great choice of places to eat, you might like to order an aperitif with cicchetti, a bite-sized open sandwich, at a counter of one of the many bars, or call in at an enticing Pasticceria for coffee and a Venetian pastry. We return to Sirmione and this evening we dine at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a free day and evening ahead, today is an ideal time to discover the captivating towns of Lake Garda, or maybe to explore a little further afield. The chance to sightsee by boat is a 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. 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. If you would like to venture further, there are frequent trains from Desenzano station. This evening you are free to dine independently and there are many enticing eating places to choose from in Gardone, or in the old town of Sirmione.

• Breakfast

This morning we travel by coach along Lake Garda's eastern shore to 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 western shores. With free time from late morning and over lunch, you may like to visit the impressive 14th-century castle, which dominates the town. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and street food stalls to choose from in this relaxed and friendly lakeside town. We make the return journey by boat, admiring the diverse scenery of Lake Garda from a different perspective as we cruise the length of the lake back to Sirmione. This evening we enjoy a final dinner at our wonderful hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We bid farewell to Sirmione and Lake Garda this morning, but our adventure isn't over yet. Our sightseeing continues by train as we head north to Milan - from here we travel by First Class rail, passing Italy's northern lakes, through the Simplon tunnel which connects Italy to Switzerland. Once we emerge from the tunnel, we travel alongside the stunning Swiss alps, then follow the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva. We arrive in Lausanne, a vibrant Swiss lakeside city, in the late afternoon for an overnight stay. There's time to explore this fascinating university city - with its cobbled, car-free old town and an exquisite Gothic cathedral - before we meet at a local restaurant this evening, for the last dinner of our holiday.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, this morning we say farewell to the lovely lakeside city of Lausanne and continue by First Class rail to Paris. As we travel homewards, our comfortable train journey provides time to reflect on the special moments and unforgettable experiences of our Italian lakes adventure. In Paris, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, travelling in style in spacious Standard Premier class with drinks and a light meal served at our seats.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar light meal