Italian Lakes, Swiss Towns, Alsace Wine Route & Magical Murano Explorer

Itinerary

Day 1

Be prepared for a very early morning start today as you join your comfortable coach at any of our convenient local pick up points and start off on your fabulous Italian adventure as you head for Dover and your channel crossing to France. Continue on to your first overnight hotel, stopping en route to pick up some dinner, before arriving and checking in for a good night's sleep in the late evening.

Day 2

After a good rest and tasty breakfast, rejoin your coach for the leisurely journey down through the Alps into beautiful Switzerland and the opportunity spend time and the night in the Switzerland. Enjoy your sightseeing and then head to your comfortable overnight hotel and a tasty evening meal before turning in for another good night's sleep.

Day 3

Days 4 - 7

Enjoy hearty buffet breakfasts every morning that are guaranteed to set you up for whatever your day holds. Take time to enjoy the hotel's facilities or explore the pretty little town of Manerba but make sure you don't miss out on our INCLUDED excursions . Here's a taste of what you can look forward to...

Day 4:
Explore Lake Garda with tour guide and boat ride along with a visit to an olive oil mill with tasting: Morning exploration of Sirmione awaits, where you can discover the stunning lakeside fortress or venture to Catullo's Grottoes, ancient Roman ruins steeped in history. Enjoy a scenic boat journey to Garda Town before travelling along Lake Garda's picturesque eastern shoreline, passing through the delightful villages of Bardolino and Lazise. Your day includes a visit to an authentic countryside olive mill, complete with a tasting of their finest oils.

Day 5:

Return to your hotel every evening for more great Italian food and an opportunity to share stories with your fellow travellers.

Please note that the order of excursions are subject to alteration for operational reasons.

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Lake Garda

Sirmione

Sirmione is one of the most popular towns on Lake Garda and it is not hard to see why. Set on a picturesque peninsula, history plays a larger role in Sirmione than in many other lakeside resorts through its prominent fortress. It also boasts a wonderful grotto and even its own thermal baths. The castle is flanked by ancient Roman ruins at the entrance to the old town and gives Sirmione a very unique atmosphere. Naturally, the town also has a fabulous range of bars, trattorias and restaurant plus gelaterias boasting every type of ice cream you could ever think of. We know you're going to love it.

Malcesine & Riva del Garda

This fabulous excursion will take you up to the north of the lake, where the mountain backdrop is even more stunning. Sit back, relax and enjoy a scenic drive that is a real feast for all the senses.

Our first stop is Malcesine, one of the larger towns set on the narrow strip of flatter land on the eastern shore of Lake Garda running south from Riva del Garda through Torbole to Garda itself. With its historic old town crowned by the Castello Scaligero it is one of the most attractive settlements on the entire Garda lake shoreline and has attracted writers and artists through the centuries who come to admire the panoramic lake views. The medieval town with its cobbled streets is not just a historic location however. It is one of the centres for sailing and windsurfing on Lake Garda and the Monte Baldo cable car offers a stunning lake view from the top station,

Moving on, we visit Riva del Garda, often also referred to as “the jewel of Lake Garda”. Lemon trees, palm trees as well as bay trees are very characteristic for this village at the lake shore. Riva del Garda represents the junction between north and south of Lake Garda. This is also where the Gruppo di Brenta, a mountain massif, begins. Boasting a number of lovely bays and ports, Lovers of culture can look forward to the historical palazzi in the inner city, dating back to a time when the Venetians were reigning the area. The “Rocca di Riva” castle originates in the year 1124 and is completely surrounded by water. Today it houses the urban museum and a picture gallery called “pinacoteca”. This is a great place to simply wander, gelato in hand, and soak up the atmosphere...

Tour Includes

• Return ferry crossings
• 2 nights bed & breakfast (Days 1 & 9)
• 7 nights dinner bed & breakfast including Gala Dinner in Italy
• Free use of outdoor pool in Italy (access to indoor pool & spa at extra charge)
• Visits to Lucerne & Lugano in Switzerland
• Boat trip on Lake Como to Bellagio
• Excursion & experiences in Italy as shown in the Itinerary
• Sightseeing in the Alsace region on homeward journey
• Direct Coach Travel & Net Zero Carbon
• Tourist Taxes Included Throughout

Burano & Murano including Glass Blowing Demonstration

Join us for a fantastic day out from Manerba to explore the beautiful Venetian islands of Murano and Burano. Our first stop is Murano, world-famous for its centuries-old tradition of glassmaking. Here, you’ll enjoy a fascinating live glass-blowing demonstration by skilled artisans and have time to browse the shops for unique handmade pieces. We then continue to Burano, a charming fishing village known for its brightly coloured houses, peaceful canals, and relaxed atmosphere. Take time to wander the pretty streets, enjoy a coffee, or capture some wonderful photos. This excursion offers a perfect mix of local crafts, culture, and stunning scenery – all just a short journey from Lake Garda. A truly memorable day awaits on the Venetian Lagoon.

Guided Castles and Lakes of Trentino with Grappa Tasting

Discover the beauty and history of northern Italy on this unforgettable day trip from Manerba: Travel through the stunning Trentino countryside as you visit crystal-clear Lake Tenno, with its peaceful turquoise waters, before winding through the scenic Ballino Pass to reach the fairytale setting of Lake Toblino, crowned by its iconic castle. Enjoy a stop at a traditional grappa distillery, where you’ll learn about the distillation process and enjoy a tasting of this famous Italian spirit. Next, explore the atmospheric Drena Castle, steeped in centuries of history. Your day ends in the charming town of Arco, where the impressive hilltop castle rewards you with sweeping views stretching all the way to Lake Garda.

Lake Como & Cruise

Colmar & The Alsace Wine Route

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lugano, Switzerland

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Accommodation

Hotel Splendid Sole Manerba del Garda

Overnight Hotels

Your overnight hotels will be comfortable tourist class hotels with facilities to match. You will be advised in advance of where you will be staying but our chosen hotel will be well located for your journey and the sightseeing planned en route. Back to top