Italy, and Lake Garda in particular is renowned for great food and wine. This fantastic holiday will take you on a tasty journey to the hidden treasures and gems in and around Lake Garda. Our ideally situated lakefront hotel provides a wonderful base from which to experience the natural beauty of the region and experience some fabulous gastronomic delights, including wine tasting at a 500-year-old historic wine estate and an amazing lunch at a traditional trattoria.

OUR ITINERARY

Saturday – This morning we collect you from home, bringing you to meet our tour coach as it begins its journey to Folkestone for our included Channel Crossing. Following this we continue to the Metz region for our overnight stay.

Sunday – Today we continue our journey to the beautiful region of Bardolino, there will be plenty of comfort stops on the way. We arrive with time to settle in before dinner.

Excursions

A day at leisure in Bardolino which lies at the foot of rolling hills covered with orchards, olive groves and the vineyards for which the town is famous for. You can enjoy its medieval, traffic-free centre teeming with bars, restaurants and shops. Its main square is full of inviting pavement cafés where you can simply relax and enjoy a glass of locally sourced wine.

Today we head south following the river Mincio to one of Italy’s loveliest villages, Borghetto Sul Mincio. We have time to stretch our legs and enjoy a drink overlooking Borghetto’s scenic weir and river before we continue to the stunning city of Mantua. Boasting a fine medieval centre which is easy to walk around, it is home to one of the finest Ducal Palaces in Italy, belonging to the Gonzaga family. You will have time to explore here and enjoy plenty of the cafés and shops. Even try the local Mantuan speciality ‘tortelli con la zucca’ which is ravioli stuffed with pumpkin.

Today we travel north along the lake shore to Riva del Garda, spend some time in the beautiful old piazza, surrounded with cafés and bars overlooking the lake, or you can stroll between Riva and Torbole on the flat lakeside path which is about 3km (one way)

This morning we drive into the beautiful Valtenesi countryside until we reach Cantine Redaelli de Zinis where we indulge in some delicious wine tastings and a brief visit to the cellars. From here, we continue to the delightful lakeside town of Salò, which boasts the longest promenade in all of Lake Garda. We enjoy free time for lunch before travelling back through the scenic Valtenesi region, where we visit an authentic olive oil mill. We visit the olive garden and olive oil press before enjoying tastings of extra virgin olive oil, olives and red/white wine.

This morning we visit the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Lake Garda, the peninsula of Sirmione, with its lovely moated castle and medieval centre. From here we travel into the countryside, which bore witness to many battles, where we discover the small chapel at San Martino della Battaglia, which pays homage to this epic period of history with its astonishing ossuary. We then continue into the hills to Trattoria da Arturo for lunch. We enjoy some of the best homemade pasta, ‘bigoli al ragu’, with some superb grilled meats washed down homemade wine – a real authentic Italian experience.

Saturday – Sadly we bid farewell to Lake Garda and its Italy as we begin our journey back to over overnight hotel in the Metz region.

Sunday – Following breakfast at our overnight hotel we will depart and begin our journey home, with our included Channel crossing.

OUR HOTEL

Parc Hotel Gritti, Bardolino, Lake Garda

This outstanding 4 star lakeside hotel is surrounded by beautiful grounds, gardens & is a 10 minute walk from the old centre of Bardolino. The Parc Hotel Gritti has a modern style and the feel and facilities of a first class self-contained holiday resort.  All rooms have mini bar, hairdryer, TV, air-conditioning. A large outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace, indoor swimming pool, gym & fitness centre. The restaurant overlooks the gardens. The hotel has a lift. Visit the hotel website

INCLUDES

8 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Platinum coach travel with extra leg room
Hostess service
Home pick up
Channel crossings
Excursions and visits

Single Supplement £180.50