Travel to Lake of Garda, Italy
“Lake of Garda Experience”
Food, Wine and Cultural Tour to the Lake of Garda – Italy
Marco Avigo, accredited professional sommelier, and restaurateur for 20 years on the Lake of Garda, will be your host to the gastronomic paradise of Lake of Garda in Lombardy, northern Italy. One of Italy’s most unspoiled regions. We will be dining in world-renowned restaurants, typical Trattoria’s and Osteria’s. We will visit Vineyards, Cheese producer and olive oil producer.
In addition, we will tour across the Lake and surrounding region. We will visit such places as the peninsula of Sirmione and we will reach the top of Mt Baldo, almost 6,000 feet, with a cable car from the beautiful village of Malcesine. We will also visit the city of Verona, a typical open market in Salo’ village and the Valpolicella region for a great Amarone tasting.
The Lake itself covers an entire region with the west shore in Lombardy, the eastern side in Veneto and the north in Trentino. The tour will take us to the southern port of the Lake. Our home away from home will be the “Hotel Nazionale” located in Desenzano. From here, we will embark each day to visit the sites, revel in the beauty and indulge in the local food and wine.
Our daily sojourns will not begin until 10 or 10:30 am so you will have plenty of time to relax. This tour has been designed by Marco to be fun, informative and especially relaxing and tasty!!
Buon Viaggio e buon divertimento
Lake of Garda, Italy Tour Program
Upcoming Dates
May 21 – May 29, 2020
September 24 – October 2, 2020
Maximum size group 12 to 14 people
Day 1 (Thursday)
On Thursday morning, Marco will meet you at the airport Marco Polo in Venice. From there, you will transfer to private autobus to our Hotel in Desenzano del Garda. After settling into your room, we will have a welcome toast in the hotel and we will walk to Desenzano Square for a light lunch at Trattoria Alessi. After lunch we will return to the hotel. Later in the afternoon we will depart with our private autobus for a visit to the small historical village Borghetto (1393 AC). In the evening we will enjoy a fabulous dining experience at the restaurant “La Borsa” in Valeggio, well known as one of the capitals of “tortellini”.
Day 2 (Friday)
Breakfast in the hotel. At 10:30 am we will depart to visit Ca’ Majol Vineyard in Lugana. There, we will learn about the production of wine, and taste great wines from the Lake region with a light lunch. In the afternoon, . In the afternoon, we will drive to the village of Sirmione and we will return to Desenzano with the Ferry Boat. In the evening we will transfer to the village of Pozzolengo for our dinner at the “Osteria dell’Avanguardia”.
Day 3 (Saturday)
Breakfst in the Hotel. At 9:30 am we will depart to visit the village of Salo’, and we will stroll the open-air market. We will luncheon in a typical Osteria. In the afternoon we will have some relaxing time walking through the pedestrian area of Salo’ for some shopping. We will return to the hotel to freshen up. At 7:00 pm we will depart to have our dinner at the “Taverna Picedo” in the village of Polpenazze.
Day 4 (Sunday)
Breakfast in the hotel. At 11:00 am we will take a short walk in Desenzano for an aperitif in Malvezzi Square. At 12:30 pm we will transfer with our private autobus on the hills of San Michele. We will have lunch at the “Ristorante Miramonti” where we will be dining on the typical dish from this area called “Spiedo”. In the afternoon we will return to Desenzano. You will have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 5 (Monday)
Breakfast in the Hotel. At 10:00 am, we will transfer to Manerba, to visit the “Avanzi Vineyard”. There, we will have a wine tasting, an olive oil tasting and a light lunch. After a short break in our hotel, we will transfer to our private bus to Valpolicella Hills where we will visit a typical winery. Here we will enjoy a nice wine tasting with Valpolicella and Amarone wines. And we will end the day having a nice rustic dinner inside the winery.
Day 6 (Tuesday)
Breakfast in the Hotel. At 9:30 am, we will depart with our private autobus to visit a Cheese Factory. There we will learn about the production of cheese, from the milk to the final product, and taste some particular cheeses from this area. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Verona city where we will visit Juliet Balcony (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), the Arena, Piazza delle erbe, and a local artisan specializing in handmade leather manufacturing. After a short relax in our hotel in Desenzano, We will end our day, having dinner at a typical agriturismo.
Day 7 (Wednesday)
Breakfast in the Hotel. At 10:30 am we will transfer to our private bus to the village of Maderno. Here we will cross the lake with the ferry boat. With our bus will arrive at the village of Malcesine and we will ride the cable car to reach the top of the monte Baldo at an altitude of 6,000 feet. Later in the afternoon we will return to our hotel. We will have a special seafood dinner in the village of Lazise.
Day 8 (Thursday)
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning at your leisure. At noon (12:00 pm), we will depart to visit “Costaripa Vineyard” in Moniga del Garda. There we will learn about the production of wine, and taste great wines and champagne along with a light lunch. In the afternoon we will all relax at the spa “Monastero” in Soiano del Garda. The spa will provide towels, bathrobes and slippers. Don’t forget your swimsuit. Swimming pool, Sauna, and Steam room included. Additional services are available for an extra charge. We will return to the hotel, and the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. At 7:00 pm we will depart to the restaurant “Aurora” for our last Wine dinner.
Day 8 (Friday)
After Breakfast in the Hotel, we will drive to the airport for your depart to USA.
PLEASE READ WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Accommodation at Hotel Nazionale, Desenzano del Garda
- Private air-conditioned motor coach for trips, transfer and excursions
- Continental Breakfast throughout the trip
- Three lunches
- Seven gourmet dinner’s
- Four small bites at the wineries and at the cheese factory
- Excursions to Verona, and around the Lake of Garda
- Transport through Venice
- Visit to four Wineries with wine tasting
- Visit to a Cheese factory
- Visit to an Olive oil factory
- One afternoon at the spa “Monastero”
- All tips and taxes when included with the group
- Portage of maximum of two pieces of luggage per person (one medium – one small)
- Marco Avigo will personally host you through your entire tour
PLEASE READ WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Flight
- Personal items, such as additional food and beverage orders, telephone, room service and laundry service, special arrangements before and after the program; service charges, taxes, insurance, and others items not specifically mentioned as included
- Insurance for trip cancellations, luggage loss or damage, medical and accident insurance is not included but is strongly recommended
Cost = $3,400.00 per person
COST AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Cost = $3,400 Per person based on double occupancy
Single Supplement = $500
Payment schedule
Tour in May
- $900. with application by November 11, 2020 (50% not refundable)
- Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure (March 21, 2020)
Tour in September
- $900. with application by March 24, 2020 (50% not refundable)
- Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure (July 24, 2020)
Reserve your place today!
To reserve your place, please sign and return the reservation form as soon as possible with your deposit of $900. Please make payment to:
Marco Avigo Tours
8311 Strahle Place
Philadelphia, PA 19111