Italy's Lake Garda Escape: Wine, Scenery & Culture

The journey

Overview

Unforgettable moments

Highlights

Your itinerary

Day by day

1. Day1
   Tour starts in Gardone Riviera+

   Your tour starts in Gardone Riviera, an elegant lakeside “garden town” on Lake Garda, known for its

   refined atmosphere, historic villas, lush botanical gardens, and the cultural landmark Vittoriale degli

   Italiani.

   hall of Verona Airport at 10.30am. We aim to depart no later than 11am, and flights will be booked

   in line with these timings. From the airport we’ll drive the one hour to our hotel.

   make your own way to the hotel.

   We settle into the 4-star Gardone Palace Hotel for seven nights and enjoy a welcome drink.

2. Day2
   Visit Isola del Garda for a tour of the island+

   Brescian shore of Lake Garda, just off San Felice del Benaco. Upon arrival, we are welcomed onto the

   island, where the highlight immediately appears before us: the extraordinary Venetian neo-Gothic

   villa designed in the early 1900s by architect Luigi Rovelli, an elegant and imposing residence

   enriched with remarkable architectural details. During our two-hour guided tour, we stroll through

   the island’s beautifully curated English and Italian gardens, where terraces descend harmoniously

   toward the lake and lush vegetation flourishes with rare and exotic plants. We enjoy a welcome

   drink and a tasting of DOP Garda Bresciano olive oil, giving us the opportunity to savour one of the

   region’s finest local products. We then continue through the island’s natural park, taking in its

   (B)

3. Day3
   Enjoy Lake Garda’s southern highlights+

   After breakfast, we set off from Gardone Riviera for a full day exploring the sun-drenched southern

   slopes of Lake Garda. Following the scenic western shoreline, we make our way south toward our

   first stop: Lazise, one of the lake’s most charming medieval villages, still enclosed by its beautifully

   preserved ancient walls. Here, we enjoy some free time to wander through the historic centre,

   admire the picturesque little harbour, and soak up the wonderfully relaxed lakeside ambiance.

   Our journey continues to Peschiera del Garda, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated

   for its impressive Venetian fortifications surrounded by a network of serene canals. We take time to

   stroll through the old town, explore its lively streets, and appreciate this unique setting where the

   waters of Lake Garda blend into the beginning of the Mincio River.

   In the afternoon, we reach Sirmione, spectacularly positioned on a slender peninsula that stretches

   into the lake. We enjoy free time to explore at our own pace—perhaps visiting the historic centre

   crowned by the fairy-tale Scaliger Castle, wandering along elegant narrow streets, treating ourselves

   to a refreshing gelato, or simply taking in the beautiful views over Lake Garda’s crystal-clear waters.As the day draws to a close, we board a public boat for a scenic cruise from Sirmione back to

   Gardone Riviera. This gentle journey offers unforgettable panoramas of the lake, its romantic towns,

   and the surrounding landscapes—a peaceful and evocative way to end our day along Lake Garda’s

   southern shore.

   (B)

4. Day4
   Spend the day at leisure by the lake+

   Today, we enjoy a leisurely day in charming Gardone Riviera, with time to discover its cultural treasures and lush natural beauty at our own rhythm. One of the highlights we may choose to explore is the extraordinary Vittoriale degli Italiani, the hillside estate of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. This remarkable complex of villas, gardens, terraces, and pathways offers us a fascinating journey through art, history, and eccentric architecture—an experience that is equal parts immersive, curious, and breathtaking. From its panoramic viewpoints to the iconic amphitheatre and the poet’s own residence, wandering through the Vittoriale feels like stepping into a world shaped entirely by imagination and style. We may also opt to spend time in the enchanting Heller Botanical Garden, just a short walk uphill from the lakeshore. Here, we stroll among exotic plants, artistic installations, tranquil ponds, and flowing water features, all arranged in a beautifully curated landscape originally created by botanist Arthur Hruska and later enriched by artist André Heller. This serene oasis blends nature and art in surprising and delightful ways, making it a perfect retreat for a peaceful morning or afternoon. Of course, we can also simply enjoy Gardone Riviera itself—perhaps relaxing along the lakeside promenade, lingering in cafés, browsing small boutiques, or exploring the pretty lanes of Gardone Sopra, the town’s historic upper quarter. With its easy-going atmosphere, Mediterranean gardens, and lovely lake views, Gardone Riviera offers plenty of gentle pleasures for a restorative and inspiring day at leisure.

   (B)

5. Day5
   Travel to Verona and discover the local landmarks+

   Today, we travel to Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, celebrated for its remarkable ability to harmoniously integrate over 2,000 years of urban, artistic, and architectural history. As we arrive, we immediately feel the layered atmosphere of a city shaped by the Romans, transformed in the Middle Ages, refined during the Renaissance, and embellished under the rule of the Scaliger family. Our walk begins in the vibrant Piazza delle Erbe, once the Roman forum and today a breathtaking open air museum where Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture coexist seamlessly. Here, we admire the frescoed façades of the historic Mazzanti Houses, the elegant Palazzo Maffei with its statues of Greek gods, and the iconic Madonna Verona fountain, whose Roman sculpture dates back to the 4th century AD. Standing in this lively piazza, we truly experience why Verona is renowned for its extraordinary historical continuity. From here, we stroll to Piazza dei Signori, often described as Verona’s refined “drawing room,” where serene courtyards and stately buildings reflect centuries of civic life. Nearby rise the evocative Scaliger Arches, the monumental Gothic tombs dedicated to the lords of Verona, showcasing the city’s medieval grandeur. We also have time to visit Verona’s most iconic sights, such as the imposing Roman Arena, one of the best preserved ancient amphitheatres in the world, and see Juliet’s House, a magnet for romantics inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless tale. The remainder of the day is free for us to explore Verona at our own pace—whether wandering through atmospheric alleyways, relaxing in a café, browsing elegant boutiques, or simply enjoying the city’s unforgettable blend of history and charm.

   (B)

6. Day6
   Drive to Mantua to enjoy a walking tour and a visit to Palazzo Ducale+

   We embark on a journey that beautifully intertwines art, culture, and Renaissance splendour, as we make our way to Mantua, one of Italy’s great artistic jewels. Surrounded by lakes and shaped by centuries of noble patronage, Mantua flourished under the Gonzaga family, who transformed the city into a vibrant centre of Renaissance creativity. Upon arrival, we enjoy a short, pleasant walk through the historic centre before entering the grand Palazzo Ducale, the vast residence of the Gonzaga rulers. Here, countless courtyards, frescoed halls, and majestic chambers whisper stories of courtly life. Our highlight is the celebrated Camera degli Sposi, the “Bridal Chamber,” an extraordinary masterpiece painted by Andrea Mantegna between 1465 and 1474. Stepping inside, we find ourselves surrounded by Mantegna’s illusionistic frescoes—marble columns, sweeping landscapes, and lifelike portraits of the Gonzaga family—created with pioneering trompe l’œil techniques that earned the room international acclaim and a place among the greatest works of the Early Renaissance. The famous oculus on the ceiling, opening into a brilliantly painted sky with playful putti, leaves us with the unforgettable sensation of gazing into another world. After our visit, we enjoy free time to explore Mantua at our own pace—perhaps wandering along its elegant streets, relaxing in a café, or admiring its tranquil lakeside views—before returning to our hotel enriched by the timeless beauty of this remarkable city.

   (B)

7. Day7
   Enjoy a day at leisure+

   On our free day, we can easily hop on public transportation and set off to discover more of Lake Garda’s charming towns. We might head north to Gargnano, a peaceful village known for its historic centre, elegant lakeside views, and traditional limonaie lemon houses that dot the terraced hillsides. Another lovely option is Limone sul Garda, one of the lake’s most picturesque spots, where narrow flower lined lanes, citrus groves, and the famous Limonaia del Castèl create an irresistible Mediterranean atmosphere. Or, for dramatic scenery, we can travel further to Riva del Garda, beautifully set at the northern tip of the lake, offering an inviting mix of alpine cliffs, a charming historic centre, lakeside promenades, and the medieval Rocca fortress.

   (B)

8. Day8
   Tour ends in Gardone Riviera+

   The tour ends this morning after breakfast.

   (B)

Peace of mind

What's included

• ✦7 nights’ accommodation
• ✦Meals Included: breakfast daily
• ✦Itinerary as described
• ✦Services of guides and local representative
• ✦All local accommodation taxes
• ✦Interested in adding flights to this tour?
• ✦Find out more
• ✦.
• ✦- Travel Guide -
• ✦Flights from the UK can be added — ask your adviser