Sirmione on Lake Garda

At 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 for its stunning Mediterranean panoramas of rolling vineyards and olive groves.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your day is free in Sirmione, a destination 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 Rocca Scaligera, the beautifully preserved 13th-century castle that dominates the town's Old Quarter. Surrounded by a large water-filled moat, its position on the narrowest part of the peninsula means the views 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 in the afternoon, you could stroll along the Piazza delle Erbe, a former Roman forum. Leaving Verona, we head to a local wine cooperative in Valpolicella that's been in the Mazzi family for over a century, and which 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 mouth-watering dinner of homemade dishes in 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 at one of the inviting pavement cafés or bars. With the enticing vineyards of Lombardy found 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 the city.

• 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 as our hotel has its own thermal pool, fed directly by hot springs. 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 along 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. You have free time here to visit the 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 the 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, we head to Milan and join the train to Lausanne for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal