About the trip
Duration:
X days and X nights
Date:
Sat 1 May 2027 - Sat 8 May 2027
Destination:
Riva del Garda, Italy
Lake Garda offers a magnificent, contrasting landscape – from rolling hills and vineyards in the south to dramatic, steep mountains and olive groves in the north. From quiet artists’ towns in the unspoilt Brenta Nature Park to the world-famous UNESCO city of Verona, this getaway combines stunning scenery, rich history, and exquisite Italian cuisine and wine.
Snapshot Itinerary:
- Day 1 – Outbound Journey: Short Channel crossing to Calais, travelling south through the Ardennes and Luxembourg to our half-board overnight stay at the Hotel Saarbrücken Süd in Germany.
- Day 2 – Into Northern Italy: Journey south through Bavaria and Austria, crossing the scenic Brenner Pass over the Alps to arrive at Lake Garda in time for dinner and a warm welcome drink.
- Day 3 – Riva del Garda at Leisure: Enjoy a full day exploring our host town. Stroll the waterfront promenade, wander through medieval piazzas, or grab a front-row seat at a pavement café for gelato and people-watching.
- Day 4 – Torbole, Malcesine & Bardolino: Trace the sparkling eastern shore! Visit breezy Torbole, explore Malcesine with its cobbled alleys and striking Scaliger Castle, and finish in Bardolino, renowned for its olive oil and red wines.
- Day 5 – Verona, City of Romance: Visit UNESCO-listed Verona, where you can gaze up at Juliet’s Balcony, marvel at the 1st-century Roman Arena, and stroll across the bustling Piazza delle Erbe.
- Day 6 – Lakes, Castles & The Brenta Dolomites: Scenic drive into the Valley of the Lakes, pausing at fairytale Lake Toblino before exploring the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, medieval Canale di Tenno, and the spa town of Comano Terme.
- Day 7 – Homeward Bound via the Alps: Travel northwards through the Alps to our overnight stay at the Novotel Metz Amnéville in France.
- Day 8 – Return to UK: On to Calais for our short Channel crossing back to Dover and onwards home.
What’s Included:
- Return DFDS Ferries short Channel crossings & executive coach travel.
- 1 Night Half-Board Outbound in Saarbrücken, Germany & 1 Night Half-Board Inbound near Metz, France.
- 5 Nights Half-Board at Hotel Portici, Riva del Garda (buffet breakfasts, 3-course dinners, plus 1 Gala Dinner with live music).
- Italian welcome drink and return porter service in Italy.
Itinerary subject to change and T&Cs.
Book your tickets
Pickups and Times
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Rothwell (N)
The Maltings bus stop | 08:20 |
Desborough
High St bus stop outside chippy | 08:30 |
Market Harborough
Market Hall Bus Terminal | 08:45 |
Kibworth
High St bus stop outside library | 09:00 |
Fleckney
Saddington Road bus stop | 09:15 |
Wigston
Paddock Street bus stop | 09:30 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Rothwell (N)
The Maltings bus stop | 07:50 |
Desborough
High St bus stop outside chippy | 08:00 |
Market Harborough
Market Hall Bus Terminal | 08:15 |
Kibworth
High St bus stop outside library | 08:30 |
Fleckney
Saddington Road bus stop | 08:45 |
Wigston
Paddock Street bus stop | 09:00 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Wigston
Paddock Street bus stop | 08:00 |
Fleckney
Saddington Road bus stop | 08:15 |
Kibworth
High St bus stop outside library | 08:30 |
Market Harborough
Market Hall Bus Terminal | 08:45 |
Desborough
High St bus stop outside chippy | 09:00 |
Rothwell (S)
High St bus stop by the memorial | 09:10 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Wigston
Paddock Street bus stop | 08:30 |
Fleckney
Saddington Road bus stop | 08:45 |
Kibworth
High St bus stop outside library | 09:00 |
Market Harborough
Market Hall Bus Terminal | 09:15 |
Desborough
High St bus stop outside chippy | 09:30 |
Rothwell (S)
High St bus stop by the memorial | 09:40 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
TBC | TBC |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Wellingborough
Castle Way | 08:00 |
Finedon
Gladstones Working Mens Club | 08:10 |
Burton Latimer
Maybury Motor Company Stops | 08:20 |
Kettering
Corn Market Hall | 08:35 |
Geddington
bus stops before Grange Road
Junction | 08:50 |
Corby
The Saxon Crown (Wetherspoons) | 09:00 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Wellingborough
Castle Way | 08:30 |
Finedon
Gladstones Working Mens Club | 08:40 |
Burton Latimer
Maybury Motor Company Stops | 08:50 |
Kettering
Corn Market Hall | 09:05 |
Geddington
bus stops before Grange Road
Junction | 09:20 |
Corby
The Saxon Crown (Wetherspoons) | 09:30 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Corby
The Saxon Crown (Wetherspoons) | 08:00 |
Geddington
bus stops before Grange Road
Junction | 08:10 |
Kettering
Corn Market Hall | 08:25 |
Burton Latimer
Maybury Motor Company Stops | 08:40 |
Finedon
Gladstones Working Mens Club | 08:50 |
Wellingborough
Castle Way | 09:00 |
Pickup | Time |
|---|---|
Corby
The Saxon Crown (Wetherspoons) | 08:30 |
Geddington
bus stops before Grange Road
Junction | 08:40 |
Kettering
Corn Market Hall | 08:55 |
Burton Latimer
Maybury Motor Company Stops | 09:10 |
Finedon
Gladstones Working Mens Club | 09:20 |
Wellingborough
Castle Way | 09:30 |
Pickups
Pickup times will be confirmed prior to trip.
Leicestershire |
|---|
Rothwell
The Maltings bus stop |
Desborough
High St bus stop outside chippy |
Market Harborough
Market Hall Bus Terminal |
Kibworth
High St bus stop outside library |
Fleckney
Saddington Road bus stop |
Wigston
Paddock Street bus stop |
Leicester City Centre
St. Margaret’s Bus Station |
Northamptonshire |
|---|
Corby
The Saxon Crown (Wetherspoons) |
Geddington
bus stops before Grange Road
Junction |
Kettering
Corn Market Hall |
Burton Latimer
Maybury Motor Company Stops |
Finedon
Gladstones Working Mens Club |
Wellingborough
Castle Way |
Accommodation
4 Star
Hotel Portici, Riva del Garda
Dinner, bed and breakfast
Main Stay (5 Nights) – Hotel Portici, Riva del Garda (4★): Located right in the historic centre of Riva del Garda just off the harbour square, the hotel puts you steps from pleasant public gardens, shops, bars, and pavement cafés. Preserving many of its original period features, the hotel features a dining room opening onto a pavement terrace under traditional stone arches.
- Guest Rooms: Very comfortable bedrooms featuring television, air conditioning, and private en-suite facilities.
- Hotel Facilities: Smart wellness area with sauna and plunge pool, bar, restaurant, pavement terrace, and lift access.
- Half-Board Meal Plan: Hot and cold buffet breakfast each morning; 3-course evening meal (set menu on arrival day, choice of starter and main course on following days), plus 1 Gala Dinner followed by live music.
Outbound Transit Hotel (1 Night) – Hotel Saarbrücken Süd, Germany (3★): Modern hotel near the German-French border with en-suite bedrooms, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, cosy bar, and restaurant serving your included half-board dinner and breakfast.
Inbound Transit Hotel (1 Night) – Novotel Metz Amnéville, France (3★): Contemporary hotel in Hauconcourt near Metz featuring spacious air-conditioned rooms, restaurant, outdoor terrace, and lounge area.
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