Christmas beside Lake Garda, Italy
A special gala dinner with wine and music on Christmas Eve, followed by a Christmas Day blow-out Italian lunch at a traditional countryside trattoria restaurant - an authentic experience.
A special gala dinner with wine and music on Christmas Eve, followed by a Christmas Day blow-out Italian lunch at a traditional countryside trattoria restaurant - an authentic experience.
When we organise a Christmas Holiday we understand that it has to be something really special to do justice to this magical time of year. Expectations are always high and only the best in terms of accommodation, food and inclusive extras will satisfy. We have once again selected Lake Garda in Italy for Christmas 2027, a region where the water is a deeper blue, the sunlight more intense and the air more invigorating. Cloaked in rich Mediterranean vegetation and surrounded by rolling green hills you could not wish for a more dramatic location. Our 4 star resort style hotel is stylish and contemporary and lays on a special gala dinner with wine and musical entertainment on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas Day we have arranged a blow-out Italian lunch at a traditional countryside trattoria restaurant – an authentic experience you will talk about for years.
ITINERARY
Wednesday (22nd) - Very early morning departure from Dorset via channel crossing to Calais and through Northern France to arrive at the Sunday Hotel Saarbrucken for dinner and overnight stay.
Thursday (23rd) - After breakfast continue through the Swiss Alps and into Northern Italy to arrive on Lake Garda late afternoon with a welcome drink. After settling in enjoy a choice of dishes for dinner accompanied by wine.
Friday (24th) - After 2 days of travelling relax at the hotel with its extensive leisure facilities. Alternatively hop on the coach which will operate morning shuttles and takes just 10 mins to reach the old town centre of Peschiera Del Garda, with its narrow alleyways, cobbled streets and wide lakeside promenade.This evening is your special Christmas Eve gala dinner followed by live music and fizz.
Saturday (25th) - Sirmione & Lunch. This morning visit the "jewel in the crown" of Lake Garda, the peninsula of Sirmione, with its lovely moated castle and medieval centre. A romantic and enchanting place that has captured hearts for generations with its timeless beauty - look out for the artwork "Kiss….please" situated overlooking the lake. From here we travel into the countryside, now peaceful but which has previously bore witness to many battles. Stop at Trattoria da Arturo for an amazing lunch - located on a remote farm seemingly in the middle of nowhere. We shall enjoy some of the best handmade pasta you have ever tasted, with meats and beans, salad and dessert washed down with homemade wine/water - a relaxing and authentic Italian experience that can take up to 3 hours!
Sunday (26th) - A sightseeing tour of Lake Garda by way of Bardolino - Garda - Malcesine to stop at Riva del Garda, at the far end of the lake. A road that clings to the cliff sides, pops in and out of tunnels, traverses bridges and enables dramatic mountain views which grow in grandeur the further north you travel. You will be reaching for your camera time and again.
Monday (27th) - Visit Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet, one of the most beautiful in all Italy. A UNESCO heritage site for good reason - full of beautiful cathedrals, churches, ancient palaces, museums, monuments and famous bridges. You can't miss the Roman Arena right at the heart of the city and Juliets fabled balcony and her statue is just 7 minutes walk away. A warren of narrow alleyways and cobbled streets will lead you to more enticing discoveries.
Tuesday (28th) - Arrivederci to our Italian hosts as we head northwards back through the awesome scenery of Switzerland and into France. Overnight at The Sunday Hotel Saarbrucken with dinner and breakfast.
Wednesday (29th) - Dive to Calais for afternoon channel crossing to Dover and homeward bound to return to Dorset that evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
PARC HOTEL, PESCHIERA DEL GARDA
One of three hotels situated in a private resort complex on the edge of town - it is set next to its own private golf course where you can stroll amidst meadows and lakes. A 4 star rated venue with both indoor and outdoor pools, gym, jacuzzi and sauna for guests use. Bedrooms are spacious and comfortably equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, TV with satellite channels, phone, fridge, tea tray, free wifi, air-con and are accessible by lifts. The restaurant provides a continental buffet breakfast and 3 course evening dinners with water, wine or soft drink. A special Christmas Eve gala dinner menu is hosted followed by live music and a flute of sparkling wine with panettone – how Italian!
8 Days // £1129.00 Per Person SRS £190.00
Holiday Highlights : All coach travel, Return channel crossings, 2 x overnight hotel in Saarbrucken, 5 nights hotel in Peschiera, Half board meals throughout, Gala Christmas Eve dinner, Trattoria Christmas day lunch, Water/Wine/Soft drink with dinner in Italy, Use of leisure facilities in Italy.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Littlemoor Road Finches | Littlemoor Road, The Finches bus stop |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | Southlands Road bus stop on Buxton Road, Weymouth (former St Nicholas Church) |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
