Enjoy a week in Italy, driving around the beautiful Lake Garda and into the Otztaler Alps to climb the famed Stelvio Pass, voted the best driving road in the world by BBC’s Top Gear.

The Italian lakes conjure a dreamy image of romance and beauty, amongst the bucolic landscapes. All around mountains tumble steeply into ribbons of blue, islands float enticingly just offshore, whilst mellowed villas sit in perfect gardens along the shorelines. Lake Garda, together with the surrounding area, exhibit an enchanting combination of Mediterranean foliage set against the back drop of snow-capped mountains.

The Alps are renowned for both their beauty and ability to offer outstanding driving roads. The Stelvio National Park is one of Italy’s major national parks. covering the whole Ortles range of mountains and topped by one of Europe’s largest glaciers, and crossed by the Stelvio Pass, at 2,757m the second highest pass (by 12m) in the Alps.

Accommodation

Stay two nights each in three hotels. All the hotels are comfortable and delightfully charming, and enjoy captivating views of the lakes or mountains. Suitable parking is obviously a feature of each hotel as well.

The first hotel, to the east of Lake Garda, is a wonderful 18th century mansion, recently refurbished to a very high standard. The atmosphere is very relaxing, helped by a large swimming pool, surrounded by extensive gardens. The restaurant serves wonderful, fresh, seasonal, locally-grown food. accompanied by an ample wine list.

The second hotel is situated right on the western shore of Lake Garda, with gardens leading down the the lake. All the rooms have a balcony or terrace overlooking the lake.

The final hotel is a family-run hotel on the slopes above Merano, dating from the 15th century. It has a fabulous spa, sauna and pool, set in delightful gardens. The atmosphere is homely, yet with contemporary, luxurious furnishings. The hotel has an excellent reputation for sensational cuisine and exquisite wines.

Itinerary

May be subject to change

Day One:

For those arriving by air to either Venice, Verona, Brescia or Treviso airports, you will be met at the airport with your chosen vehicle. (Please see below for vehicle details).

Drive to the first hotel, where you will stay for two nights, just to the east of Lake Garda. The hotel has a very good restaurant, or it is a short drive to nearby villages for dinner.

Day Two:

Spend the day exploring the eastern shore of Lake Garda, with its idyllic little villages such as Torri di Benaco, Garda or spending time at Punta San Verolo, right on the lake edge. While away time wandering the narrown lanes or enjoying good Italian coffee or ice cream sat by one of the many small harbours. Alternatively, visit Verona, with its wealth of Roman sites, and streets lined with beautiful, medieval buildings. The town is well known for its operas, and for being home to the Montagues and Capulets, with Juliets House (and balcony) on Via Cappello.

Day Three:

Drive around the south of Lake Garda, visiting some of the Scaligera Castle that are dotted around the shores. Enjoy a wander around Sirmione, a popular, walled town, situated on a long promontory protruding 4km into the lake. Drive on to Desenzano and through to Salo and onto Gardone Riviera. It is a short drive, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy exploring the area.
There is an optional detour to Brescia to visit the Mille Miglia Museum.

Stay for two nights in a lovely hotel right on the lake shore. It is a short walk to a number of good restaurants for dinner.

Day Four:

Enjoy a circular drive to Lake Idro and Lake Ledro, returning to Lake Garda at Riva, at the northern end, which is surrounded by mountains, often snow-capped. Bagolino, on Lake Idro, is a quiet little place, with some wonderfully preserved medieval houses, decorated with 15th century frescoes. Riva is a great place to stop and enjoy a coffee or pizza by the lake. The old town is very pleasant, with the castle alongside the port.

Return to Gardone along the western shore, also known as Riviera del Limone, due to the citrus groves on the steep hillsides. The road is a fun drive, often quite high above the lake, affording superb views.

Day Five:

Drive north back along the western shore of Lake Garda to Riva, and onto Trento. The town is encircled by mountains, and has pleasant squares lined with shops and cafes, and streets lined with frescoed palaces. Continue north to Bolzano along the wine route (Strada di Vino) and then onto Merano. Merano is also surrounded by mountains, but the valleys are rich with vines, peach and apple trees. This is a very Germanic part of Italy, one having been South Tyrol and part of Austria and the Habsburg empire.
Stay for two nights in a beautiful 15th century country inn hotel, with fabulous spa and pool. The hotel also has a wonderful restaurant offering good Tyrolean and Italian food.

Day Six:

Drive a circular route starting out along the Adige Valley, which is lined with apple orchards. Turn off for the Stelvio Pass and head over the 48 hairpin bends (all numbered with stones) from the north side, and just 12 bends on the descent to Bormio. It is a fabulous drive and you will no doubt want to stop at one of the restaurants at the summit to enjoy the view and your achievement!

Return to Merano for your final night.

Day Seven:

Head south to Bolzano and Trento, and then back to your arrival airport to return the car and fly home

Details

Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Tour Book Price:  This gives you all the information you need (very detailed directions, route maps, hotel information, and details information on everything there is to do, see and visit on route each day)

• Emailed pdf version (to print at home): £80
• Printed, wire-bound version (inc UK P&P): £120

What’s included in the tour book

• An extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary to optimise your trip
• Detailed narrative route directions, along with maps showing the route.
• Hotel and restaurant information

• Plenty of information on many places to visit and things to do in the areas you will pass through.
• A brief history of Italy and the Lakes
• Basic English-Italian dictionary
• Road maps with your routes marked on

Classic cars for hire include:
Alfa Romeo: Duetto spider, Boat tail spider, Giulietta spider, Giulia
MG Midget, MGA, MGTD, AC Cobra, Fiat 500 (1971), Mini Cooper (1972) and Triumph TR4
Prices for 7 days classic car hire are from €700 to €1400
Terms and conditions apply to car hire – please enquire

Cost (approx.) of delivery & collection of hire car to local airports:
Treviso – €60; Venice – €90; Verona – €135; Brescia – €200

Requirements

• Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for Italy and any other countries you may visit to participate on the tour.All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour
• If you are taking your own car you will also need your vehicle registration documents, driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best), and an international insurance green card.
• If you are taking your own car, please check your travel and motor insurance that you are covered for travel in the required countries.You are also required to safety equipment: carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
• The most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery and relish individual, character hotels .