Christmas In Sorrento & New Year In Lake Garda

Itinerary

15-Day Itinerary

• Dec 21

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

• Dec 22

  Continue into northern Italy and to our overnight hotel near Parma.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 23

  This morning we begin our journey south, passing Bologna, the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, and the Tuscan capital of Florence.

  We continue past the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome and later Naples, Italy’s third-largest city, before arriving at our hotel in the centre of Sorrento for a six-night stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Eve - Sorrento Guided Walking Tour

  Today we enjoy the magical festive atmosphere in lively Sorrento. We include a short guided walking tour with some local tastings this morning.

  Spend the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps taking the opportunity to sip an apéritif in the Piazza Tasso with its spectacular Christmas tree.

  This evening, we’ll continue the celebrations with a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at the hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Day - Free Time in Sorrento

  Merry Christmas! Today is at leisure for you to explore Sorrento. A popular holiday resort for over 2,000 years, soak up the enchanting atmosphere as you wander the narrow streets and enjoy a tasty Christmas lunch at the hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Boxing Day - Amalfi Drive

  Today’s included excursion takes us along one of the most spectacular roads in Europe, the Amalfi Drive. Winding along the cliff tops, expect breathtaking panoramic views at every bend. We will pause above the beautiful town of Positano, before continuing on to Amalfi. This is the largest and most popular town of this coastline, boasting medieval architecture and colourful façades.

  We then continue to Ravello, which is considered by many to offer the best views of the area. It is therefore no surprise the town has been an inspiration for artists and gardeners for years!

  Please note: this excursion is operated by a local coach.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 27 - Free Time or Pompeii with Lunch

  Today we visit the historic town of Pompeii at the foot of Mount Vesuvius on our optional excursion. In 79AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius engulfed the inhabitants of this small town in approximately 6 metres of stone and ash where they were literally frozen in time. Painstaking excavations, which are still ongoing, began in the 18th century and have uncovered a remarkable hidden city.

  Accompany your expert guide around the town, walking along roads with indents from the passing of chariot wheels and discovering the remains of homes, shops and public baths (entrance to the ruins is included). Later, we also include a light lunch in a restaurant at Pompeii.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 28 - Free Time or Capri

  Enjoy a day at leisure or join our fantastic optional excursion as we sail across the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri. Walk in the footsteps of Gracie Fields as you explore the maze of streets and piazzas, as well as the main square in Capri town with its pretty white church. With spectacular scenery in all directions, it’s easy to see why this tiny island is known as a playground of the rich and famous.

  This excursion is operated by a local coach and local ferry.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 29 - Orvieto

  We leave the Neapolitan Riviera this morning as we head north towards our overnight hotel in Montecatini Terme. En route, we enjoy some free time to visit the beautiful town of Orvieto.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 30 - Bologna

  We leave Montecatini Terme and travel northwards, pausing at the vibrant city of Bologna for some free time. Our journey then continues to the shores of Lake Garda for a four-night stay in the picturesque resort of Riva del Garda.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Eve - Verona

  After breakfast, we have an included excursion to the second largest city in the Veneto region, Verona. Why not make the most of your time here by joining our optional walking tour?

  Verona is a beautiful city and famed as the setting for Shakespeare's romantic tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The many charms of the city will be brought to life as you walk through its streets accompanied by a local guide. Admire the 1st-century Arena, home to the prestigious Verona Opera Festival, which dominates the main square (entrance not included).

  Verona boasts an abundance of fine palaces, churches and monuments, which adorn its alleyways and squares. Our informative guide will reveal many of the fascinating stories behind the history of the nature of this fine old historic town.

  You will have free time during the afternoon to explore at leisure. Browse the shops or take a coffee break in one of the many cafés in Piazza Bra, overlooking the Arena. We return to the hotel for a Gala Dinner and ring in the New Year in true Italian style!

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Day - Free Time or Lake Garda Cruise

  Enjoy a relaxing day and perhaps take an optional cruise on Lake Garda – the ideal way to blow away the cobwebs.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Jan 2 - Free Time or Venice

  Today, why not join our wonderful optional excursion to the unique city of Venice, the largest city in the Veneto area. Venice is one of the most interesting cities in the world. It mixes Byzantine and Renaissance architecture throughout the 118 islands, and the magnificent buildings, surrounded by bridges and canals, are a sign of the city's former wealth. It has remained virtually the same for 600 years, which adds to its fascinating character and retains its 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.

  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.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Jan 3

  We leave Lake Garda and travel north to our overnight hotel in northern France or Belgium.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Jan 4

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for six nights at the 4-star Hotel Michelangelo, located in the heart of Sorrento, and four nights at a 4-star hotel in the centre of Riva del Garda, such as the Hotel Sole or Hotel Portici. 

Overnight stays in France and Italy will be in city-style hotels.