Lake Garda & A Greek Islands Cruise: 2013

Day 1: UK/Verona, Italy
You’ll depart on your scheduled flight to Verona today. On arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel near the shores of Lake Garda, where you will stay for four nights on a half-board basis.

Day 2: Lake Garda
Relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel such as its pool and sun terrace, or why not join us on our excellent programme of optional excursions. To find out more about your destination be sure to join today’s optional tour around Lake Garda. You will stop at one of the many delightful resorts where you can shop and enjoy the splendid scenery. Lake Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes, set against dramatic scenery including the peaks of the Dolomites.

Day 3: Lake Garda
Today you may choose to join our full-day journey through the dramatic scenery of Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, where you can admire spectacular jagged granite peaks which tower over picturesque villages.

Day 4: Lake Garda
Today you can join your Tour Manager on a three-quarter-day visit to the ancient city of Verona, which is home to many beautiful medieval buildings and an impressive castle. Be sure to view the well-preserved Roman Arena, the fascinating art collections housed in Fort Belvedere and Juliet’s balcony – Verona is the setting for Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

Day 5: Embark Costa Magica
Depart 17:00
Bidding Lake Garda farewell after breakfast, you’ll transfer to Venice where you will board your ship, Costa Magica, and begin your seven-night cruise. This fabulous floating hotel boasts excellent amenities including four swimming pools, four restaurants and a choice of 11 bars.

Day 6: Bari, Italy
Arrive 12:30 – Depart 18:00
Situated on the Adriatic coast, Bari is the capital of the region of Puglia and today’s port of call.

Day 7: Katakolon for (Olympia), Greece
Arrive 12:30 – Depart 18:00
This small seaside town is the gateway to Ancient Olympia, where the Greeks would gather every four years to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus.

Day 8: Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Arrive 09:00 – Depart 19:00
Just a few miles from Piraeus lies Athens, which is watched over by the Acropolis, the site of many famous temples including the Parthenon.

Day 9: Santorini, Greece
Arrive 07:00 – Depart 14:00
You’ll spot Santorini’s whitewashed villages from a distance, standing out as they do against the black rock and pumice of this striking volcanic island.

Day 10: Corfu, Greece
Arrive 12:00 – Depart 19:00
Corfu is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful Greek islands. It is home to historic sites, charming villages, olive groves and lovely sandy beaches.

Day 11: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Arrive 08:00 – Depart 13:00
The walled city of Dubrovnik is a delight to explore. Highlights include the Franciscan monastery and the 17th century cathedral where many fine Old Masters are displayed.

Day 12: Venice/UK
Arrive 09:00
Costa Magica arrives in Venice today, where you will disembark. Your luggage will be stored so you can enjoy free time and maybe a spot of lunch in this must-see floating city. Later this afternoon you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

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

Costa Magica

Enjoy a stylish cruising experience aboard the Costa Magica, which is well equipped and spacious. Amenities on board include four swimming pools, six Jacuzzis, a wellbeing centre with gym, treatment rooms, sauna and Turkish bath, a multi-purpose sports pitch and outdoor jogging track.

There are four excellent restaurants serving international cuisine and 11 bars to choose from. After dinner, head to the casino, the disco or the impressive theatre which is set on three levels and offers a fabulous programme of evening entertainment.

Please note: Gratuities on board are not included and are compulsory at €7 per person per day.

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

3-star Belvedere Hotel in Manerba del Garda
Recently renovated, this hotel sits in a lovely position offering beautiful views of the lake with the centres of Manerba del Garda and San Felice del Benaco within easy reach. The hotel features a bar, breakfast room, garden, terrace and swimming pool. Comfortable guest rooms have en suite facilities and most boast a lake view.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Optional excursions

Lake Garda (full day, moderate walking) £50
For full details of this excursion please see page 22 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

The Dolomites (full day, minimal walking) £59
For full details of this excursion please see page 16 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Verona (three-quarter day, moderate walking) £45
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
4 nights’ hotel accommodation on a half-board basis
7-night cruise on a full-board basis including entertainment and most leisure facilities on board
Your choice of cabin
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager in Lake Garda
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
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.”