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Sirmione on Lake Garda

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20252026
10 days From £2,499 £2,399 per person
4.4 stars(322 reviews)
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Discover the glorious gems of Lake Garda, explore timeless Venice, indulge in dinner and wine tasting at a Valpolicella winery, from the enchanting lakeside town of Sirmione

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Save £100pp on selected Europe 2025 holidays when you book by 16th December 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: SRL25

About the tour

Based in the exquisite fortress town of Sirmione, set on a picturesque peninsula overlooking Lake Garda, and staying in an elegant spa hotel, this captivating holiday includes some fabulous excursions.

Join us as we glide through Venice's turquoise canals on an unforgettable gondola ride - passing Venetian palazzos, intriguing architecture and Byzantine churches - indulge in a wine-tasting and delicious dinner at a rural winery in Valpolicella, explore the history, culture and relaxed lifestyle of Roman Verona, as well as visiting the medieval hamlet of Malcesine on Lake Garda.

Unforgettable experiences

Experience the unique ambience of Venice
Experience the unique ambience of Venice
Float through the dreamlike waterways of Venice on an ethereal gondola ride, into its ancient labyrinthine canals, and enjoy a fascinating guided walking tour of this romantic city.
Indulging in a private wine tasting and dinner in Valpolicella
Indulging in a private wine tasting and dinner in Valpolicella
We travel into the green rolling hills of Valpolicella for a private wine tasting and homemade dinner at a traditional winery, savouring the delicious flavours and aromas of this celebrated wine region.
Walking through the historic sights of Verona
Walking through the historic sights of Verona
Discover Shakespeare’s view of Verona on a guided tour of this fascinating city – packed with history, culture and style – visiting Juliet’s famous balcony, an ancient piazza and the impressive Roman Arena, now a magnificent opera house.
Relaxing in an elegant spa hotel on the shores of the lake
Relaxing in an elegant spa hotel on the shores of the lake
From our luxurious base, you’ll experience warm Italian hospitality and excellent facilities in this authentic family-run hotel, directly overlooking Lake Garda on the dreamlike Sirmione peninsula.
Visiting Malcesine, a striking medieval hamlet
Visiting Malcesine, a striking medieval hamlet
Explore the beautiful towns which grace the shores of Lake Garda, including the impressive medieval hamlet of Malcesine with its imposing castle, fortress and Venetian palace which overlook the steep rugged cliffs of Lake Garda’s dramatic western shores.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – From London to charming Chambéry

Our holiday begins at London St Pancras, where we meet our Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. Travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class, we are served drinks and a light meal at our comfortable seats.

From the French capital, we continue by First Class rail to the attractive medieval town of Chambéry, with its wonderful backdrop of the French Alps. On arrival, we take a short walk from the station to our hotel, where we check in for the night. There may be a little free time to look around before our first group dinner together.

Chambéry has a historic Old Town with a characterful square, tall, colourful houses, and is officially listed as a Town of Art and History ('Ville d'Art et d'Histoire').

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar light meal
Day 2 - Arrival in the captivating lakeside town of Sirmione

After breakfast this morning, we take the train from Chambéry to Milan, passing the Vanoise National Park enroute. In Milan we are taken by coach to the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione, on the southern shores of Lake Garda - Italy's largest lake. The town's most distinctive feature is its handsome fortress castle and drawbridge, which guards the entrance to Sirmione's long, narrow peninsula that stretches out into the shimmering lake. We arrive at the entrance to the town in the late afternoon, then cross the drawbridge and moat on the way to our stylish hotel, 700 metres from the castle.

This family-run hotel is a favourite among our customers and, with its stunning lakeside setting, swimming pools and a fabulous luxury spa whose thermal pool is fed directly by Sirmione's renowned hot springs, it's hardly surprising. After a welcome drink, there's time to settle in to our surroundings and soak up the idyllic setting, before our four-course dinner in the hotel restaurant, which overlooks glorious Lake Garda.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Exploring beautiful Sirmione at your leisure

After breakfast overlooking the lake, there is a free day stretching out ahead of you. You may like to get to know enchanting Sirmione, which is bursting with history and charm. You could visit the beautifully-preserved medieval Scaligero Castle, which we passed through as we entered the town. The castle was constructed in the 12th century by the Scaligeri, the ruling family of Verona, and it is possible to enjoy great views across the lake from the top of its fortified walls.

Sirmione's old town, signposted as the 'centro storico', is a pleasure to discover. Here you'll find a maze of medieval churches and interesting buildings such as Palazzo Callas, home of the opera singer Maria Callas, in the 1950s. The old town also features an array of tempting cafés, inviting ristorantes, and traditional gelaterias. The Maria Callas Parco, a small park with a viewpoint, is a peaceful green space, just outside the 'centro storico'. The lakefront feels almost sea-like and not far from our hotel, towards the tip of the peninsula is the inviting Jamaica Beach. This evening we dine together in the restaurant of our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Touring Verona, tasting classic wines and dining in rural Valpolicella

Today starts with a visit to historic Verona and a guided tour. We see Juliet's famous balcony and the city's awe-inspiring Roman Arena, which predates Rome's Colosseum and is now an open-air Opera House. With free time over lunch you could stroll into the heart of romantic Verona to the Piazza delle Erbe, the city's oldest square. Or wander down the main shopping street where Italy's great fashion houses are represented.

Leaving Verona this afternoon, we head to a charming wine cooperative in rural Valpolicella to indulge in one of the highpoints of our holiday. The winemakers of this traditional winery welcome us into their relaxing and tranquil setting as we learn about local wine production during a tour and a tasting of excellent red wines. We then enjoy a private, mouth-watering dinner of homemade traditional dishes at the vineyard, surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - A full day to explore enchanting Sirmione

Today you have another opportunity to explore lovely Sirmione at leisure. You could visit Grotte di Catullo, the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Italy, set on a small hill at the tip of the peninsula, where there are wonderful views from the top.

You may like to enjoy coffee, an ice cream or lunch at one of the inviting pavement cafés. Sirmione has an excellent choice of eateries, from traditional osterias or trattorias to fine dining restaurants. Fresh fish, pizzas and delicious homemade pasta, including pumpkin ravioli and a variety of tortellini, feature on many menus. With the famed vineyards of Lombardy and Veneto nearby, it's no surprise that the wine here is notable too. You might choose to take it slow and indulge in an afternoon of people-watching as you soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a glass of local wine.

No doubt you will also find time to make the most of the hotel facilities, including the swimming pool, spa, and its peaceful garden. This evening, we enjoy another four-course dinner at our hotel restaurant.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Experiencing the timeless wonders of Venice

Today is another highlight of our holiday, starting the day with a First Class rail journey to Venice. Known as 'La Serenissima', this timeless and enchanting city is made up of many islands, linked by bridges and intricate canals, and set in a shimmering lagoon.

On arrival, we are taken by private boat to St Mark's Square - the epicentre of the city, surrounded by the ornate St Mark's Basilica, the delicate pink Doge's Palace, and historic cafés, once frequented by Lord Byron and Charles Dickens. From here we are taken on a guided tour through fascinating streets to see Venice's main sights.

Possibly the highlight of our day is a delightful private gondola ride. Gliding through the luminous canals of Venice - beneath ancient arched bridges, passing exquisite palazzos and iconic Venetian buildings - is the perfect way to soak up the city's ethereal atmosphere. With free time after this experience, you might like to order an aperitif at one of the city's many bars, or relax at a café, watching the world pass by. We return by First Class rail then transfer to Sirmione, and dine at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Discovering spectacular Lake Garda at your leisure

With a free day and evening ahead, today is an ideal time to discover some of the other picturesque towns, villas and gardens of Lake Garda, or maybe to explore a little further afield. The chance to sightsee by boat is a tempting option. Isola del Garda is the most prominent of Lake Garda's islands and has been owned by the Cavazza family for generations. Here, fragrant acacia and lemon trees frame an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa, making it a lovely place to while away an afternoon.

On the western coast of the Lake is Gardone Riviera, a hidden gem and one of Italy's most beautiful small towns. Surrounded by mountains, the town features the André Heller Botanic Garden, with unusual plants from all over the world - Japanese gardens, water features and grottoes - decorated with contemporary art sculptures. If you'd like to venture further, there are frequent trains to a number of towns and cities from Desenzano station. This evening you are free to dine independently and there are many enticing eateries to choose from, in Gardone, or Sirmione's old town.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 – A visit to the medieval hamlet of Malcesine

This morning we travel by coach along Lake Garda's eastern shore to the gorgeous medieval hamlet of Malcesine which has a striking castle and palace, overlooking the fjordlike lake and facing the dramatic mountains of Lake Garda's western shores.

With free time from late morning and over lunch, you may like to visit the impressive 14th-century castle, which dominates the town. There are a number of inviting restaurants, cafés and street food stalls to choose from for lunch in this relaxed and friendly lakeside town.

We make the return journey by boat - a lovely way to experience the fantastic landscape and diverse scenery of Lake Garda from a different perspective as we cruise the length of the lake, back to Sirmione, sailing via the town of Garda.

This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at this wonderful lakeside hotel, marking our final night on Lake Garda.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 – From Sirmione to picture-perfect Lausanne, Lake Geneva

We bid farewell to Sirmione and Lake Garda this morning, but our adventure isn't over yet. Our sightseeing continues by train as we head north to Milan - from here we travel by First Class rail, passing Italy's northern lakes, through the Simplon tunnel which connects Italy to Switzerland. Once we emerge from the tunnel, we travel alongside the stunning Swiss alps, then follow the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva.

We arrive in the vibrant lakeside city of Lausanne in the late afternoon, checking in to our hotel for an overnight stay. There's time to explore this fascinating university city - with its cobbled, car-free old town and an exquisite Gothic cathedral - before we gather for the last dinner of our holiday.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Homeward bound

After a leisurely breakfast, this morning we say farewell to the lovely lakeside city of Lausanne and continue by First Class rail to Paris. As we travel homewards, our train journey provides time to reflect on the special moments and unforgettable experiences of our Italian lakes adventure. From the dreamlike setting of our Lake Garda spa hotel, the timeless cities of Venice, Verona and the wonderful Valpolicella winery we dined at, to the delightful places we have stayed at enroute, this special holiday will leave you with lasting memories to cherish. In Paris, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, travelling in style in spacious Standard Premier class with drinks and a light meal served at our seats.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar light meal

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Continental Thermae & Spa, Sirmione

Hotel Continental Thermae & Spa, Sirmione

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Trains

Eurostar
Frecciargento
Frecciarossa
TGV
Trenitalia

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections
Door to door luggage service
Upgrade to a Superior room

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 322 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (200)
  2. 4 stars
    (77)
  3. 3 stars
    (25)
  4. 2 stars
    (11)
  5. 1 star
    (9)

Mr Merrick

5 stars

Submitted 16/Nov

Sirmione is a beautiful place full of old-world charm on the edge of Lake Garda. Our holiday with Great Rail Journeys allowed us free time to enjoy Sirmione and the surrounding area whilst we had a number of visits including a day in Venice. The accommodation was good and Stella our Tour Manager was always available to answer any questions

Collected by Trustpilot

Heather

4 stars

Submitted 10/Nov

Excellent hard working tour guide. Nice hotel, a bit late in the season.

Collected by Trustpilot

Cathy Price

5 stars

Submitted 5/Nov

Loved every minute of this holiday. Sirmione is a delightful place to stay and all the hotels were fantastic. There was so much to enjoy - medieval towns and castles, Roman ruins, boat trips, Verona and Venice, a Gondola ride and a trip to a winery. But the unexpected highlight for me was visiting Malcesine, going up 1,760 m in a cable car and getting a fantastic view of Lake Garda from the top. Our Tour Manager, Christine, was great. She guided us with great aplomb, ensured everyone had a good time, kept us well informed and expertly dealt with our train journey being cut short by a technical fault. I would highly recommend Great Rail Journeys.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Price, Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your beautiful photos. It is wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed your holiday with us and that your Tour Manager Christine was great at making sure everyone had a good time. Kindest regards, Sarah
No problem. I am saving up for my next Great Rail holiday !
2 comments

Collected by Trustpilot

Lynn

5 stars

Submitted 5/Nov

Wonderful holiday, well organised and day trips ideal. Weather end of October as expected, not brilliant but it didn’t stop me enjoying everything. This is my third trip with great rail and all have been excellent. Especially the tour managers. They make the holiday. Hotel was superb as were the staff and the food. An addition, as forgot to mention before. These trips are ideal for solo travellers. I have travelled on my own several times and thoroughly enjoyed it as everyone is so friendly.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Lynn, Thank you for your 5 star review. Its great to hear that you had a wonderful holiday which was well organised and the weather didn't stop you having a good time. It is brilliant that this was your third trip with us and they have all been excellent. We hope to welcome you again in the future! Kindest regards, Sarah
Thank you Sarah. I have already booked my next holiday with Great Rail for next May. This time to Puglia, can’t wait. ??
2 comments

Collected by Trustpilot

Erin Bland

3 stars

Submitted 3/Nov

Having paid a substantial single supplement I didn’t expect a bare room without even a chest of drawers- aluminium rail to hang things on and 1960’s shower, bidet, suite.

Collected by Trustpilot

Chris Drake

4 stars

Submitted 30/Oct

Interesting old town with vehicles greatly restricted - good for pedestrians! Very good hotel (the Continental), ferry connections all round Lake Garda. Only drawback was no train station.

Collected by Trustpilot

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