Discover Italy by Rail
Discover The Beauty of Italy
Introduction
This romantic journey takes you to some of the most enchanting locations in Italy where you will be able to unwind in picturesque surroundings, soak up the rich culture and indulge in mouth-watering Italian cuisine on this unforgettable rail escape. A journey where you will discover the famous canals and palaces of Venice to the breath taking natural beauty of Lake Garda, with a visit to the historic city of Verona – the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
9 Nights from £1,499pp
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Highlights
- Cruise the sparkling waters of Lake Garda to the picturesque lakeside town of Malcesine.
- Explore Shakespeare’s Verona on a guided tour.
- Visit enchanting Venice, taking a boat trip along the Giudecca Canal to St Mark’s Square to join a local guide for a walking tour.
- Sail to Sirmione, at the southern end of Lake Garda, with its fairytale castle and medieval fortress.
Whats Included?
TRANSPORTATION
~ Standard Class Rail
~ All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
ACCOMMODATION
~ 9 nights 4* Hotel accommodation
FOOD & DRINKS
~ 9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches (picnic lunches on excursion days), and 9 Dinners
~ Wine, beer and soft drinks served between 17:00pm and 22:00pm in Garda
ENTERTAINMENT AND EXCURSIONS
Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour
Itinerary
Meet at London St Pancras and join the Eurostar service to Paris. Here, change trains and continue to Turin for an overnight stay.
- Dinner
Leaving Chambéry behind, you take the train to Milan and transfer to the town of Garda, on Lake Garda, the scenic base for your holiday.
- Breakfast, Dinner
Today you take a scenic cruise across the sparkling lake to Malcesine, another picturesque town on Lake Garda. Discover its medieval centre, clustered around the attractive harbour and 14th-century Scaligero Castle or hop on the cable car running from the town to the top of nearby Monte Baldo. From here, you can admire the views over the lake and surrounding Alpine peaks.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is free to explore Garda. At the southern end of the town is the Rocca di Garda, an outcrop of cliffs on the shoreline, once home to a 5th century fortress until it was destroyed by the Venetians. You could also take a walk along the wonderful lakefront promenade with its fabulous al fresco eateries. Alternatively, you could visit neighbouring Bardolino, a delightful town famed for its full-bodied reds, and its annual wine harvest festival.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel by coach to Verona, the historic city in which Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set. Straddling the Adige River, this handsome destination is a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to the diversity and historical value of its stunning architecture. On a guided city tour, you see the Roman Arena – an impressive amphitheatre that is now used as an open-air opera house. Continue to Juliet’s balcony at Casa di Giulietta and see the magnificent city gates before returning to Garda.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With another free day, you may like to visit Isola del Garda. The biggest island in Lake Garda, it’s dominated by an impressive neo-Gothic villa and is just a short boat ride away. The island is owned by the Cavazza family, and its gardens are full of unique flowers and local plants as well as pine, cypress, acacia and lemon trees.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you visit luminous Venice to explore the wonderful ‘floating city’ of dozens of small islands in a shimmering lagoon, linked by narrow canals and pretty bridges. Take a boat trip along the Giudecca Canal to St Mark’s Square, the heart and soul of the city. From here you set out on a walking tour, seeing the evocative Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace and the ornate St Mark’s Basilica. This afternoon, continue exploring at your own pace. Steeped in a unique blue-green light, there is beautiful art and architecture at every turn. Maybe relax in one of the atmospheric squares, with a prosecco or Aperol Spritz, overlooking one of the romantic canals. Venice has some excellent ‘chichetti bars’ serving tapas-style snacks and sandwiches – ranging from stuffed green olives and parma ham, to crispy fried sardines or grilled cheese with sun dried tomato on toasted ciabatta.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you enjoy a relaxing cruise to pretty Sirmione, a peninsula on the southern shores of Lake Garda. You have time to explore this charming town bursting with history and famous for the medieval Scaligero castle at its entrance, with a fortress and drawbridge. Just outside the centre of this enchanting town you’ll find the Roman Grottoes of Catullus, ruins of an ancient Roman Villa. Sirmione’s ancient charm, and its enticing array of cafés, shops, and restaurants, adds an authentic and laid-back Italian atmosphere.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you leave Garda and transfer to Peschiera by coach. Here, you join the train to Chambery for an overnight stay.
- Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Chambery, take the train to Paris, where you join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
- Breakfast
How it works
Call us on 01730 711 010 or enquire online about your dream holiday
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