Lake Garda in Style

Begin your holiday as you mean to go on – in style. After a short flight from the UK you will arrive in Verona and transfer to Hotel Giulietta e Romeo. Check in your bags and spend the rest of the day exploring this remarkable city. Engulfed in romance, it's no wonder that Verona's pretty piazzas and maze-like cobblestones were Shakespeare's setting of choice for his world-renowned romance Romeo and Juliet. Wander the quaint streets to get your bearings before enjoying an Italian feast to celebrate your first night. Whether it be pizza or pasta, take it outdoors and indulge in some alfresco dining to make the most of the warm evening air.

Stay: Hotel Giulietta e Romeo (Superior)

Get your fill of the breakfast buffet before heading out to soak up more of Verona's stunning sights. This morning, you have the option of partaking in a guided tour of the city, or perhaps you'd just like to explore at your own pace. Whatever you choose, make sure to channel your inner Romeo as you look up at that famous balcony on your visit to the House of Juliet, be swept back in time by the imposing site of the Roman amphitheater (The Arena), and savour an iced coffee in one of the city's sun-soaked squares. Having crossed Verona off your list, next up are the tempting waters of Lake Garda. Grab your bags and transfer to the beautiful Grand Hotel Gardone – a firm favourite of the late Winston Churchill –  for a real taste of Garda luxury. 

Today your holiday in the lakes truly begins. Soak in your surrounds as you spend the day indulging in all that this luxury hotel has to offer. Whether pool or lakeside, relax as you bask in the hot Italian sun. To fully embrace the Lake Garda setting, opt for a sun lounger out on the hotel's picturesque solarium-terrace – there's nothing quite like cooling off with a dip in the breathtaking blue of the Garda. Later, to kick off holiday living properly, why not treat yourself to a massage in the hotel's spa? This evening, after a day of pampering, check out the a la cart menu at the on-site restaurant Il Giardino dei Limoni. Dining here is a candle-lit affair and consists of locally sourced, seasonal dishes, making for the perfect setting to begin your romantic Garda escape. Suitably full from the delicious Italian cuisine, head to Winnie's Piano Bar for a nightcap and toast Garda to the elegant sounds of the bar's grand piano.

This is the ideal leisurely lake holiday – with this itinerary you will be treated to five more nights in the welcoming arms of the Grand Hotel Gardine, allowing you to revel in all that the pretty lake setting has to offer. Nearby the small town of Salò beckons with it's historic centre and lengthy promenade. Or, perhaps escape to the peace and quiet of the perfectly manicured Hrushka Botanic Gardens, an oasis within an oasis. To satisfy your inner oenophile, a trip to a local vineyard is a must. And, to complete the food and wine holiday experience, the olive oil farms that line the shores here produce some of the best olive oil in Italy - pair your wine with some bread and oil for the ultimate in Italian living, the real dolce vita. If you want to venture further afield to make sure that you leave with no sight unseen, the hotel's very own pier has great ferry routes, perfect for exploring Garda's glittering waters and postcard-perfect shorelines.