The Southern Shores of Lake Garda

The Southern Shores of Lake Garda

The vast shoreline of Lake Garda is dotted with pretty villages and gleaming resorts. But in the lake’s southern basin sits the most picturesque town of all - Sirmione, the base for our Lake Garda tours. Known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’, it’s embellished with a 13th-century castle and calming hot springs. From here, we’ll twist along the winding roads to the mighty Dolomites, amble through the cobbled streets of Verona, and glide along Venetian canals, as well as enjoying plenty of time on the lake itself.

What's Included

• 14 meals: 7 breakfasts (days 2-8), 7 dinners (days 1-7)
• International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow.
• 7 nights in hotel
• Travel in destination by coach
• 1 x 90-minute use of the hotel’s Wellness area
• 4 excursions & visits

Day 1 - UK - Milan - Lake Garda

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Milan. On arrival we transfer to Sirmione, on the shores of beautiful Lake Garda.

Day 2 - Sirmione

Today you’ll savour your first taste of Lake Garda. The lake’s wind-ruffled waters and warm, colourful town of Sirmione are simply captivating. Today is a free day to explore Sirmione under your own steam. Perhaps visit one of Lake Garda’s oldest settlements, which has evidence of fishermen living in stilt houses that date back to the Stone Age. The beautiful setting has made this area a popular place ever since. Scaliger Castle is an incredibly well maintained 13th-century fortification; why not walk the drawbridge and climb the numerous steps to the castle ramparts to view the land and the lake as the medieval guards once did? Or experience a more relaxed side of the town’s history with a visit to the Roman thermal baths. Alternately, visit the Grotto of Catullus to walk amongst the remains of northern Italy’s largest Roman villa.

Day 3 - Venice

Discover another Italian classic today. We board a motorboat for the ultimate travel experience; wind through the waterways to arrive in St Mark’s Square, Venice. Home to a rich history of art and wealth and a wonderland of winding canals, higgledy bridges and backstreets; Venice is iconic and we start in perhaps one of the most photographed squares country-wide. We take a walk with a guide through the historic centre and get to know the alleys and the canals. You have the rest of the day to make your own discoveries - take a romantic gondola trip through the canals, or maybe take a boat trip to admire the more prominent islands of this intricate archipelago and their significant sights. Explore the city’s cobblestone streets and you’ll find fabulous palaces, or churches decorated with priceless art and the colourful Rialto market, or climb to the top of St Mark’s iconic Bell Tower for some of the most incredible views over the city.

Excursions & visits:

Excursion to Venice including morning guided walking tour (all day)

Day 4 - Lake Garda

Today we have a guided tour of Lake Garda, stopping in characteristic villages and at photographic spectacles. We visit the beautiful medieval hamlet of Lazise to explore its narrow alleys and picturesque squares; the pretty village of Malcesine with cobbled lanes and a 13th-century castle; and the bustling town of Riva. Considered the most important town on the lake, Riva has an interesting historic centre with an Austrian flavour, long beaches and a beautiful mountainous backdrop. After time to explore, we cross the lake by ferry to Limone, the most picturesque village on the lake and spend the rest of the afternoon in this town, forever associated with its old lemon groves (although the name derives from the Latin for ‘boundary’, reflecting the town’s history).

Excursions & visits:

Guided tour of Lake Garda (all day)

Day 5 - The Dolomites

We’ll drive through breathtaking narrow gorges as we head to Lake Carezza, a small Dolomite mountain lake which reflects a rainbow of colours, giving it the second name ‘Lec de Ergobando’. It is said the rainbow was created by a magician who admired the beautiful mermaid who hides within these waters. Next we visit Canazei, an alpine village rich in tradition and a popular ski destination. From here, our journey becomes even more enthralling as we negotiate the multiple hairpin bends of Pordoi Pass. You might like to ascend to the pinnacle of Sass Pordoi (some 2,950 metres) in a cable car. From the top you can enjoy the stunning 360° view across the titanic mountain peaks of the Alpine Range. We ascend into Moena in the Fiemme Valley for time to explore this quaint, cosy village and maybe try some local apple strudel, before our journey home takes us through lush green valleys.

Excursions & visits:

Excursion to the Dolomites, including cable car (all day)

Day 6 - Sirmione

Fill your day as you wish. Perhaps with sightseeing in Sirmione or enjoy a lovely stroll along the banks of Lake Garda.

Day 7 - Verona

Verona is best known as the setting of Romeo and Juliet’s love-struck tragedy, but beyond the Renaissance romance Verona is a bustling and beautiful centre. Its heart is dominated not by Juliet’s balcony, but the incredible 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre which still hosts the annual Verona Opera Festival, as well as concerts from world-famous music artists. Entering the centre of Verona, we take a guided walk past numerous Roman and Medieval remains such as Piazza Brá, the main square which is surrounded by magnificent palaces and the Roman Amphitheatre, and holds a statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first ruler of Unified Italy. You may also visit the perfectly preserved Roman Mercato Vecchio and Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s commercial centre in the Middle Ages where souvenirs are still sold, or the Scaliger tombs, where the prominent Scala family rest within impressive monuments of Gothic architecture. And of course, we will see Juliet’s balcony. We’ll also enjoy some free time before we return to our hotel this afternoon.

Excursions & visits:

Excursion to Verona including morning guided walking tour (all day)

Day 8 - Sirmione - Milan - UK

We transfer to the airport for our return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.