Day 1. Wednesday: Early departure this morning, as we make our way to Dover and the start of our Italian adventure. On arrival in Dover, we will board the ferry for our crossing to Calais. Don’t forget to check out the Duty Free and we have also included a meal on-board for your convenience. On arrival in France our scenic journey will continue our overnight hotel for one night dinner, bed, and breakfast (minimum 3-star standard).
Day 2. Thursday: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this morning, before our adventure continues. We will pass through various countries before arriving in Switzerland and our overnight hotel for one night dinner, bed & breakfast (minimum 3-star standard).
Day 3. Friday: This morning we continue our journey through Switzerland and into Italy for seven nights, dinner, bed, and breakfast at the Hotel Sole.
Day 4. Saturday: Enjoy a day at leisure. A lively harbour town with a charming historic centre, Riva del Garda bridges the gap between the Italian Alps and the northern coast of Lake Garda. The centre of Riva del Garda will fascinate you with its works of art and architecture, including the Torre Apponale, a tall clock-tower which dates to the 13th century. You can also explore the maze of shopping streets. Discover, other villages and towns dotted around the lake on a lake cruise or simply relax in one of the lakeside cafes and watch the world go by. This evening enjoy a typical Trentino dinner by candlelight (set-menu).
Day 5. Sunday: Today we enjoy a visit to Verona. Accompanied by an English-speaking tour escort we will visit the World-famous city of Verona, the romantic capital of Europe and one of Italy’s oldest cities. We will enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour. Situated on the banks of the River Adige and perhaps best known for its association with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it boasts a rich array of art and architecture. Its heart is dominated by a mammoth, remarkably well-preserved 1st century Roman amphitheatre, the venue for the city’s annual summer opera festival. Piazza Bra is the largest piazza in Verona, lined with numerous cafes and restaurants for a relaxing pitstop. Verona is a shoppers’ paradise, too, with something for everyone – from the daily market in Piazza delle Erbe, where there are plenty of bargains to snap up and a great selection of local produce, to the stylish designer shops on Via Mazzini. We return to the hotel via Valpolicella where we enjoy a tasting of Amarone Wine.
Day 6. Monday: Today we enjoy a visit to Lazise and Sirmione. Accompanied by an English-speaking tour escort we will visit Lazise, a picturesque town that overlooks the south-eastern shore of Lake Garda, on the Veronese side of the lake. It is well known for its charming landscapes and its important artistic and historical value, but also as a destination for those seeking a moment of relaxation and recreation on Lake Garda. There will be free time to explore Lazise, before enjoying a return cruise from Lazise to Sirmione. The small municipality in the province of Brescia lies on the long peninsula surrounded by the waters of the lake, between the gulfs of Desenzano and Peschiera. It is known for its thermal baths and Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle overlooking the lake.
Day 7. Tuesday: Today we enjoy a visit to Venice. Accompanied by an English-speaking tour escort we will visit Venice, the most beautiful city in the world. We will board our boat at Tronchetto for the short crossing to Venice. Please Note: The boats can only accommodate a maximum of 10 passengers at any one time. We will be met by our English-speaking tour guide and enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour. The ‘Floating City of Venice is made up of 118 islands united by more than 400 bridges, separated by canals that act as waterways, forever bustling with gondolas and boats in a never-ending back-and-forth. Famous sights include Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Bell Tower, Rialto Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs.
Day 8. Wednesday: Enjoy a day at leisure or we may offer an optional excursion (charge applicable). Your driver will provide you with further information.
Day 9: Thursday: Enjoy a day at leisure or we may offer an optional excursion (charge applicable). Your driver will provide you with further information. This evening enjoy a Gala dinner (set-menu).
Day 10: Friday: We depart Riva del Garda and begin our return journey home travelling through Italy and into Germany and our overnight hotel for one night dinner, bed & breakfast (minimum 3-star standard).
Day 11. Saturday: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this morning, before our return home continues. We will pass through various countries before arriving in Belgium and our overnight hotel for one night dinner, bed & breakfast (minimum 3-star standard).
Day 12. Sunday: We depart for Dunkerque and our return crossing to Dover. It will be your final chance to purchase some Duty Free and we have also included a meal on-board for your convenience. Retracing our steps home, we arrive later this evening.
Passports: It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any required visa(s) for your chosen holiday. Some countries require a minimum of 6 months’ validity on a passport from your return date.
