Venice, Verona and Lake Garda
Treasures of Northern Italy
Discover an idyllic corner of the world, and explore two of Europe's most fascinating, enthralling and historic cities.
Stay in a hotel on idyllic Lake Garda, make the most of plenty of time to rest and relax in one of Italy's favourite locations, and join your tour manager for four wonderful guided excursions. Discover the breathtaking beauty of glorious Venice, the world's most romantic city, see Verona's ancient streets and majestic Roman arena, head into the craggy heights of the Dolomites, and experience the many delights of Garda's colourful shores.
Enjoy a full-day visit to incomparable Venice, La Serenissima
Explore Verona, Romeo and Juliet's exquisite city
Journey through the dramatic Dolomites
Enjoy a Grand Circular Tour of Lake Garda and its surroundings
Seven nights' Bed and Breakfast, Half Board or All-Inclusive at your chosen hotel on Lake Garda
Guided excursions to Venice, Verona and into the Dolomites
A Grand Circular Tour of Lake Garda
Return flights to Italy
Air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day One – Fly to Italy
Fly from the UK to Italy, meet your Tour Manager at the airport, board the coach and travel to Lake Garda and your chosen hotel. Stay on the lake's eastern shore, close to delightful Malcesine, with its quaint alleyways and narrow streets, or close to sun-blessed Torbole and its vibrant café life, shops and stunning views across the lake. Alternatively choose Riva at the top of the lake, or Limone on the North West shoreline. Settle in to your surroundings, and enjoy a first evening at your hotel.
Day Two – Day at leisure
Today you're free to rest and relax. Enjoy the facilities at your hotel, or perhaps venture into the centre of your chosen resort. All the resorts we use have been favourites with our customers for many years, and each has a lot to offer. Stroll the lakeside promenade, watch the world go by from a seat in a pavement café, shop, or perhaps even take to the water – Garda is a favourite of sailors and windsurfers who revel in the breezy conditions offshore.
Day Three – Included Grand Circular Lake Garda Tour
After breakfast, today, board the coach to begin a Grand Circular Tour of this beautiful lake in the company of your tour manager. The fjord-like eastern shores and the northern, mountain backed resorts of sun-blessed Torbole and pastel-painted Riva del Garda give way to a western shoreline of citrus and olive groves. On the southern shore a promontory leads to the spa resort of Sirmione, with its healing waters and fairy-tale Rocca Scaligera castle. The tour will also visit the wine-growing town of Bardolino, and the busy resort of Garda itself, on the way back to your hotel.
Day Four – Included Dolomites scenery tour
Today is spent exploring the crags and passes of the majestic Dolomites, which lie to the north of Lake Garda, and provide some of Europe's most dramatic mountain scenery.
Visit towering Marmolada and Canazei in the mountain's shadow, Val Rendena, the huge Adamello Glacier, the Brenta Dolomites and pretty Val di Genova. Soak up the atmosphere and stunning views as you stop at some of the traditional towns and villages of this delightful region, which sits between the sun-kissed Italian plain of Emiglia-Romagna and the Alps of the Austrian Tyrol, above the wine-growing valley of the Alto-Adige.
Day Five – Day at leisure
Spend a day relaxing at your hotel and in the resort. Revisit your favourite cafe, relax at the water's edge or explore further afield.
Day Six – Included Verona excursion
Today you'll visit the thoroughly charming city of Verona, on the banks of the River Adige. The city's historic centre and monuments fashioned in pink marble draw visitors from all over the world. And among its outstanding sights you'll find the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Italy, famed the world over for its summertime opera festival. The sweeping Piazza Bra is crowded with people watching the world go by from a seat in one of the many pavement cafés, the colourful market on ancient Piazza delle Erbe bustles with life, while nearby the maze of 13th-century streets is redolent with a sense of troubled history, chronicled in Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers.
After another marvellous day you'll return to Garda's shores.
Day Seven – Included Venice excursion
Today's visit to Venice, probably the world's most romantic city, will etch itself into your memory like few others. Board the coach and travel through the Veneto to the city. On arrival, you'll take a walking tour of this simply breathtakingly beautiful place in the company of a local guide. The 100 or so islands that make up the city are linked by innumerable bridges, and gondolas and water taxis ply their trades on the beautiful Grand Canal, past the stunning Accademia museum and beneath the Rialto Bridge.
The vast expanse of St Mark's Square, with its sumptuous cathedral, clock tower and the Doge's Palace – the Palazzo Ducale – is one of the world's great sights. Close by, joining the palace to the prisons, the famous Bridge of Sighs is said to have afforded condemned men a last view of the beauty of Venice en route to the gallows.
Away from St Marks and the Grand Canal, a labyrinth of narrow streets waits to be explored, each new corner revealing another memorable view of this wonderful city. After an unforgettable day you'll return to Lake Garda in time for a last dinner at your hotel.
Day Eight – Fly back to the UK
Say "Arrivederci, Lago di Garda", today, as you board the coach and the transfer back to the airport to catch your flight home.
Drago Hotel, Malcesine
This very popular hotel has welcomed our guests for many years and is sure to provide you with a comfortable stay. Ideally situated by the lake, its excellent transport links allow guests to explore nearby attractions with ease.
Continental Hotel, Torbole
Enjoying an elevated position, close to the village of Nago, this bright and modern family-run hotel offers a high standard of service and facilities. It boasts fantastic views of the surrounding countryside, and will suit those who wish to be located in a peaceful area with easy access to the nearby resort of Torbole, less than 2 miles away.
Hotel all'Azzurro, Limone
This welcoming hotel stands beside the Lake, next to the ferry landing stage in the historic heart of Limone, close to a good selection of bars, shops, and restaurants.
Hotel Royal Village, Limone
This popular four-star hotel is set on the slopes above the resort of Limone, in the heart of a 10-acre olive grove. It's a 10-minute downhill walk from the hotel to the lake and the town centre.
Hotel Garda Bellevue, Limone
A relaxed hotel serving as a welcoming escape, enclosed by mountains, and with beach access and views of Lake Garda.
Leonardo Da Vinci Hotel, Limone
Built into the hillside and a short walk or shuttle bus ride to the centre of Limone, this perfectly located hotel presents a private beach.
Hotel Cristina, Limone
Backed by mountains and facing Lake Garda, this property is set within beautiful gardens and expansive terraces.
Hotel San Pietro, Limone
A welcoming hotel elevated above the shores of Lake Garda and within reach of the centre of Limone.
Hotel Antico Borgo, Limone
Positioned in the heart of Riva del Garda on a cobbled street and offering impressive views of Riva and Lake Garda from the roof terrace.
Alexander Hotel, Limone
A delightful hotel with 50 rooms, resting close to the lakefront of Limone, with an array of facilities.
Hotel Villa Dirce, Limone
Built into the cliffside, boasting panoramic views of Lake Garda and a perfect base for discovering the surrounding area.
The transfer time to Lake Garda is approximately three hours from Milan and Venice airports, two hours from Bergamo and one hour from Verona Airport.
Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.
Meals in Italy
Guests on half-board arrangements will typically (although some hotels are now moving towards buffet-style evening meals) be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice may be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.
Italian hotel room tax
Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1€ and 3€ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Stylishly decorated, the Drago boasts a fine restaurant and bar, and a charming sunbathing area surrounded by beautiful gardens where guests can soak up the sun.
The bedrooms in this hotel are located in two separate buildings. Twin rooms with air conditioning (payable locally) and lake views are available for a supplement.
The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (open approx. May to Sep) and sun terrace set amid its charming gardens. There is also a heated indoor swimming pool with a whirlpool, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a fitness room. Bicycles are available for hire. There is a bar and lounge area, and two lifts to the upper floors.
Each room has private facilities, satellite TV, a telephone, a safe, a hairdryer, a mini-bar and air conditioning (June-Sept). Rooms with balconies are available for a supplement.
The hotel's facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a small sunbathing area with free sunbeds, a restaurant serving buffet breakfasts and four-course evening meals and a salad buffet, and a bar and lounge area. The hotel has a lift to higher floors, a lakeside terrace serving for those who wish to dine al fresco and enjoy the stunning views of the lake, and a rooftop sun terrace and small swimming pool provide the perfect spot to soak up the Italian sun.
Each room has private facilities, a telephone, TV, a hairdryer, air conditioning in the summer months and safes.
The Royal Village has two outdoor swimming pools, one indoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, and a garden. It has two restaurants on site a bar and lounges. Complimentary drinks are served with evening meals. There is evening entertainment three days a week between June and September. A complimentary shuttle bus runs from the hotel to the centre of the resort.
The standard rooms have private facilities, mini-bars, TV, telephones, hairdryers, seasonal air conditioning, safes and either balconies or terraces. Rooms with side lake views are available for a supplement.
There is an indoor heated pool with a Jacuzzi, and an outdoor pool by a terrace, dotted with sunbeds. A wellness centre offers a Turkish bath, a floating pool and sauna, and a selection of treatments.  An indoor restaurant serves regional dishes and cocktails can be enjoyed at the poolside bar.
130 comfortable, modern rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as a TV, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe, telephone and balcony. Rooms with a partial lake view are available for a supplement.
Outdoor pools and a wellness centre with indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, two Jacuzzis and gym add to the pleasure of your stay. The All-Inclusive package includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and entertainment dependent on the season. Bikes are available to hire.
With tile or carpeted floors, seasonally air-conditioned rooms encompass a TV and mini-fridge, hairdryer, telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safe, and a partial lake view.
Hotel Cristina is spread amongst five villa-style buildings on a hillside overlooking Lake Garda. Two outdoor pools, ringed with palm trees, can be enjoyed, and a restaurant and two bars boast magnificent views of the surrounding area. A shuttle bus goes to and from the centre of Limone and guests can access the beach and indoor pool (when open) at sister hotel Leonardo da Vinci. There is live music several nights per week.
Airy, simple rooms, with colourful décor, come with seasonal air conditioning, a hairdryer, safe, telephone, TV, mini-bar, and tea/coffee-making facilities. Rooms have a balcony/terrace and partial lake view, or a front lake view for a supplement.
Two outdoor pools within a garden, a panoramic relaxation area, an indoor pool with a whirlpool, and a fitness room are some of the many amenities. There are two restaurants, a poolside grill, and a piano bar. The town's shops, bars and restaurants are all within walking distance downhill, or use the hotel shuttle bus to the centre if you prefer. There is live music several nights per week.
Rooms are located in one of three buildings and have a balcony or terrace and a partial lake view. They come with a hairdryer, telephone, TV, safe, mini-bar, Wi-Fi, seasonal air conditioning and a tea/coffee maker.
The top floor terrace, lined with loungers, is the highlight of this stylish hotel. Views across the rooftops to the lake are extremely rewarding. A sleek bar, airy restaurant, and fitness corner with outdoor showers are additional facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available for all guests in public areas.
60 modern and minimalist air-conditioned rooms, with neural interiors, each have a telephone, TV, hairdryer and safe.
A state-of-the-art wellness centre with a sauna, a Turkish bath, whirlpool, and indoor pool promises plenty of opportunities for relaxation. There is an outdoor pool, fitness room, restaurant serving a range of cuisines, and a bar.
Seasonally air-conditioned rooms have a hairdryer, telephone, TV, safe, fridge and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are on the ground floor and come with a terrace. Rooms with balcony/terrace and partial or front lake views are available for a supplement.
The swimming pool and sun terrace, facing out over the lake, are the highlights of this beautiful property but please be aware there are a number of steps in and around the property due to its location. A restaurant takes advantage of the setting with floor-to-ceiling windows, and there's a furnished patio for alfresco dining, as well as a snack bar. Guests can travel to the centre of Limone on the hotel's shuttle bus or enjoy a scenic 25-minute walk.
50 air-conditioned rooms have balconies or terraces. Amenities include TVs, mini-bars, telephones, hairdryers, safes, seasonal air conditioning, and Wi-Fi.