Day 1: Following your early morning home taxi collection we join our platinum executive tour coach and make our way to Kent for our short crossing to France. Upon our arrival we continue our journey through the French countryside to our overnight hotel, The Mercure Saarbruecken Sud.
Day 2: This morning we continue our journey, crossing the border into Switzerland, through breathtaking scenery into Austria. We arrive in Italy and our base for the next 6 nights, the Hotel Sole in Riva del Garda where a welcome drink will be waiting for you. While you relax, your cases will be taken to your rooms.
Day 3: This morning we visit the jewel in Lake Garda’s crown - stunning 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. Seeing the Rocca Scaligera, the beautifully preserved 13th-century castle that dominates the town's Old Quarter is like stepping back in time. Surrounded by a large water-filled moat, its position on the narrowest part of the peninsula means the views across the lake are breathtaking.
This afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive around the lake, enroute back to Riva Del Garda.
Day 4: Today we enjoy a day at leisure to relax and explore Riva Del Garda.
Day 5: This morning we make our way to the stunning City of Verona. This beautiful Roman city is situated alongside the River Adige and is the setting for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (you can still visit the famous balcony!). Verona was a Roman city, and many Roman ruins have been preserved, notably the Arena. Most of the historical sights you see today date from the past 800 years. Verona's military importance has also left city fortifications and an excellent castle.
Day 6: This morning we have an earlier start as we head to Venice, the largest city in the Veneto area. Venice is one of the most interesting cities in the world abd mixes Byzantine and Renaissance architecture throughout the 118 islands. It has remained virtually the same for 600 years, which adds to its fascinating character and romantic charm.
Venice is the world’s only pedestrian city, which makes it easy to explore on foot. Be sure to see some of the famous sights such as the Doge’s Palace, the symbolic seat of Venetian power and the enclosed Bridge of Sighs. The bridge passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. The bridges name comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of Venice before being taken down to their cells.
A visit to St. Mark’s Square, the principle public square of Venice, is also a must. It is dominated at its eastern end by the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, a superb example of the Romanesque-Byzantine style. It was built in the 10th century to house the body of the St. Mark the Evangelist.
A ride on a gondola, with your expert gondolier steering you through the busy waterways of Venice is a unique and exciting way to explore the city (at own cost), or you may decide to just sit back and relax at Harry’s Bar with one of their famous Bellini cocktails.
Day 7: Today we have a different mode of transport as we enjoy a boat cruise excursion across the lake. We board our boat and sail first to the charming town of Limone on the western shore of the lake. There will be free time in Limone where you can meander down the cobbled streets, or maybe sample the delicious Italian ice cream.
We continue our journey across Lake Garda to the town of 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 (entry not included). We make the return journey by boat, admiring the scenery of Lake Garda from a new and unique perspective as we cruise back to Riva.
Day 8: Sadly this morning we say arrivederci to our host as we depart our hotel and make our way back to our overnight hotel.
Day 9: This morning we continue our journey onwards to Calais where we make the short sea crossing to Kent and our onwards journey back to Norfolk. Upon arrival our door to door taxi service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
8 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Price: £1466pp
Single Supplement: £294
Tour Reference: EUR1883
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure