Lake Garda In Style

Fly from London to Verona, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to Salò on the southwestern shores of Lake Garda. You’ll check into the 5-star Bellerive Lifestyle Hotel, which sits on the lakefront near the town’s historic centre. Sip a welcome drink accompanied by a briefing of the area, then settle into your classy, nature-themed room with balcony and exclusive amenities, from a pillow menu to Bialetti express coffee machine. This evening you’ll enjoy a four-course welcome meal with wine and espresso at a local restaurant.
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After breakfast, take a trip to the nearby town of Brescia, which is famed for its Mille Miglia car race, Roman ruins and UNESCO-protected sites that date back to the Longobard kingdom’s rule. Your guide will take you through central Brescia, making stops in its three main piazzas; Vittoria, Venetian-influenced Loggia and Paolo VI, which is home to two ornate cathedrals.

Follow the Via dei Musei to Brescia’s Roman archeological park, which is the largest in northern Italy and encompasses an amphitheatre and Capitolium temple. Next, head to Brescia’s second heritage site, the Museo di Santa Giulia, a monastic complex from the 8th century where you’ll find churches, intricate frescoes, exhibitions and a crypt. Afterwards, have lunch independently before heading to a Franciacorta winery for a tasting session where you’ll sip a variety of sparkling wines before returning to your hotel.
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Today is yours to spend as you please. After a leisurely breakfast on the restaurant terrace, which opens onto a garden with a pool, perhaps head out to explore the town. Visit the MuSa to peruse art and science exhibitions and learn about Salò’s history, from its Venetian roots to Austrian rule and its short time as Mussolini’s capital of the Social Republic of Italy during WWII.

Stroll Salò’s three-kilometre promenade, the longest in Lake Garda, to admire views of the lake backed by green hills. Stop for a cappuccino in one of the waterfront cafés, then meander through the old town’s streets lined with brightly-painted houses. Take a swim in the lake from one of the pebbly beaches or head back to the hotel pool to cool off, then for dinner, try fresh seafood in one of Salò’s many restaurants.
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This morning, your guide will tell you about the history of Garda as you travel down its west coast. Your first stop is Sirmione, which sits on a peninsula at the southern end of the lake. Enjoy free time to visit its highlights, including Rocca Scaligera, a 13th-century castle built by Verona’s prestigious Scaligeri family. Next, take a boat trip to Garda on the eastern shore, home to villas, palaces and striking lake views from the promenade.

Continue by road to Riva del Garda at the northern tip of the lake, where you can enter the old town, shadowed by a 12th-century fortress. Finally, you’ll travel back to Salò along the Gardesana, one of Europe’s most scenic drives. This nearly 30-kilometre stretch of road winds along the lake, surrounded by lush vegetation and punctuated by viewpoints and tunnels hand-carved into the rock during the Mussolini period.
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Enjoy another free day to relax in Lake Garda. Soak up the sun on the beach or by the hotel pool, or take the bus to the nearby Gardone Riviera. Here, you can visit Vittoriale degli Italiani, the home of former Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio, which is set among gardens home to an open-air theatre. Another highlight in Gardone is the Heller Garden where you’ll find over 3,000 species of tropical plants.

Alternatively, back in Salò, you could take a boat to the Isola del Garda for a tour of this private island and its neo-Gothic villa, owned by the Contessa Cavazza, or ask your hotel to arrange a speed-boat tour of the lake. Finish the day with a meal by the water or at the hotel’s Lerive Rock, a gourmet bistro which serves a range of authentic Italian dishes.
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Your day begins with a drive to UNESCO-listed Verona, where Shakespeare set his tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. Bisected by the River Adige, the city features a blend of architecture that includes grand churches, the Gothic tombs of the Scaligeri family and the buzzing Piazza delle Erbe, which combines Roman, medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Visit sites such as Juliet’s balcony and the 1st-century Verona Arena, the third largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, which continues to host events. Next, drive to Valpolicella which lies in the heart of the province and is renowned for its red wines. Learn about the region’s unique viticulture traditions at a vineyard where you’ll try five wines, from Valpolicella Superiore to Terregiunte, accompanied by local cheeses, before returning to your hotel.
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For your final free day on Lake Garda, take full advantage of your hotel’s high-end facilities. Lounge by the pool or book an indulgent in-room massage. You can also take part in a serene yoga class with lake views or ask the concierge to arrange an e-bike tour along Salò’s lakefront paths. To get out on the water, go for a swim, do some sailing, or simply chill out on the beach.

If you’re feeling active, you can also hike up to the 568-metre-high peak of Monte San Bartolomeo, which towers over Salò. Follow the gentle incline through fragrant pine forests to the summit topped with a church, where you can savour sweeping views over Lake Garda and its surrounding peaks, including mighty Monte Baldo. End the day with cocktails by the lake and a final Italian meal.
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Today your Lake Garda adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Verona Airport for your homebound flight.
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