Lake Garda

Day 1: UK/Verona
Today you will depart on your scheduled flight to Verona, then transfer to the Lake Garda resort of Riva del Garda. You’ll receive a warm welcome upon arrival at the lovely Hotel Benacus, your home for the next seven nights. Why not take a stroll around your new surroundings before dinner at your hotel this evening.

Day 2: Lake Garda
To help you get acquainted with your surroundings, today we’ve included a fabulous full-day exploration of Lake Garda. Join us as we show you some of the beauty spots of this beautiful lake, which is surrounded by lush olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees. Stopping off at one of the many delightful resorts, why not take a look around the shops or simply sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Also included on today’s tour is a relaxing cruise on the lake.

Your resort is well positioned for some excellent sightseeing so you might find yourself tempted by our superb programme of optional excursions during your stay.

Day 3: Venice
There is nowhere else on earth quite like this extraordinary city of canals, palaces and Renaissance architecture, and today’s full-day optional tour will introduce you to many of its most famous sights. In St Mark’s Square you will find two of the most important buildings in Venice, the Doge’s Palace, once home to the Venetian rulers, and the Basilica di San Marco with its Romanesque carvings and beautiful mosaics. Take a walk over the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most famous sights, and watch the activity of the boats on the Grand Canal below, or maybe you’ll decide to take a gondola ride through the maze of canals and bridges.

Before you return to your hotel, there’s time to discover your own Venice as you take a stroll around the narrow lanes and delightful hidden squares, check out the elegant boutiques or take a seat and enjoy the view from a pavement café.

Day 4: Riva de Garda
We have left today free for you to enjoy at leisure. Riva del Garda is a popular lakeside resort with a lively historic centre and many tempting cafés, bars, shops and restaurants. Its lovely promenade and picturesque harbour are great places to take a gentle stroll with waterfront cafés where you can sit and watch the boats as they come and go.

You may choose to relax by the pool at your hotel or take advantage of the shuttle service to the lakefront and marina.

Day 5: The Dolomites
Today we offer a full-day optional tour of the Dolomites. You’ll journey through dramatic Alpine landscapes where you can view this rugged range of mountains which stretch from Lake Garda to the Austrian border and reach a height of 11,000 feet. They really are a spectacular sight, so remember to take your camera.

Day 6: Riva del Garda
Enjoy a further day at leisure to explore at your own pace. You may choose to take a lovely lakeside walk or simply take the time to relax.

Day 7: Verona
After breakfast today join your Tour Manager and Local Guide on an optional three-quarter-day excursion to one of Italy’s most beautiful and historic cities – Verona. Admire Piazza Bra, an impressive square decorated by ornate fountains and dominated by the magnificent Roman Arena, which is the third largest in the world. You’ll continue through to Piazza Erbe, the old Roman forum, where nowadays you will find a large open-air market selling an assortment of local produce, and be sure to visit the famous balcony which featured in the Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet. There’s plenty of time to stroll around and browse in the varied selection of shops in Via Mazzini, or why not sit for a while at a pavement café and just enjoy the view.

Day 8: Verona/UK
Your holiday comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport in Verona for your flight back to the UK.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

The departure on 12 June will be staying at the 3-star Hotel Milano in the pretty resort of Maderno Toscolano on the south west shore of the lake. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, garden and swimming pool. All twin rooms have TV, telephone and air-conditioning.

Accommodation is of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotel you will stay in is:

3-star Hotel Benacus
This hotel sits in an elevated position with splendid lake views. This hotel has long been a favourite of Travelsphere guests. With such a warm welcome from the staff it is little wonder we choose to return year after year.

Facilities include a bar, restaurant, swimming pool and garden. You can look forward to a delightful gala dinner and there is also an Italian-themed evening which gives guests the opportunity to sample all kinds of local food. All bedrooms feature en suite facilities. The hotel operates a shuttle service to the lakefront and marina from where it is a 25-minute walk along the lakeside promenade to the historic centre of Riva.

Guests may choose to stay in the 4-star Hotel Savoy Palace for a supplement. This excellent hotel in Riva del Garda is run by the Tonelli family and situated just a short walk from the lake and marina. Offering a high standard of accommodation, amenities include a restaurant, bar, lounge, lifts, indoor swimming pool, outdoor pool, small fitness room, sauna and whirlpool. All bedrooms are well appointed and feature en suite facilities, balcony, satellite TV, telephone, hairdryer, safe and air-conditioning (high season only). Lake view rooms are available for a supplement.

Please note: Outdoor pools are typically open between May and September, dependent on weather conditions.

For departures on 12 June 2013, 3 June 2014 and 11 June 2014, you will be staying at the 3-star Hotel Milano in the pretty resort of Toscolano Maderno on the south west shore of the lake. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, garden and swimming pool. All twin rooms have TV, telephone and air-conditioning.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Lake Garda (full day)

Optional excursions

Verona (three-quarter day, moderate walking) £38
For full details of this excursion please see page 16 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Venice (full day, moderate walking) £60
For full details of this excursion please see page 17 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

The Dolomites (full day, minimal walking) £50
For full details of this excursion please see page 16 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation
Half-board basis
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”