Wine tasting, hikes with stunning views and as much pizza, pasta and gelato as possible
This itinerary is based on renting a car but there are public transport options around Lake Garda including buses, trains and taxis. To get to Valipolicella or Lake Garda from Verona airport you will first have to take the bus to Verona. To get to Valpolicella or Lake Garda from Milan Bergamo airport you will also have to change in Verona.
Day 1
Arrive at either Milan Bergamo or Verona airport
Pick up your rental car, take a taxi or the local bus to San Giorgio in Valpolicella and take a taxi to Villa Quaranta
5pm - arrive at Villa Quaranta and check in and settle into your room
6pm - drive or take a taxi to the nearby town of San Giorgio and explore
7pm - have a sunset drink at Red Zone Art Bar
8.30pm - have dinner close to Villa Quaranta at Trattoria La Coa' Di Tomas Beltramini
Day 2
9am - have breakfast at Villa Quaranta
10am - drive or take a taxi to Parco Delle Cascate - a waterfall park in Molino
12pm - drive to Ponte Veja - the biggest natural bridge in Europe
12:30pm - drive to the South of Lake Garda to Sirmione (you can park at Piazzale Monte Baldo for €2.50 per hour
1:30pm - have a late lunch at either Ristorante L'Arcrimboldo (traditional Italian), Tavernetta Maria Callas (high end) or Civic 48 (burgers)
2:30pm - explore Sirmione and top attractions are:
Scaliger Castle
Natural thermal pools
Jamaica beach
Grotte de Castillo
Gelateria Scaligeri for the best gelato
6pm - head back to Villa Quaranta
7:30pm - have dinner at Ristorante Borgo Antico
Day 3
9am - have breakfast at Villa Quaranta
10am - drive into Verona and park at Porta Palio car park for free
10:30am - explore Verona and top attractions are:
Verona Arena
Piazza Bra
Casa di Guiletta
Ponte di Castelvecchio bridge
Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Torre dei Lamberti
Arco dei Gavi
Day 4
9am - have breakfast at Solho Bardolino
10am - explore Bardolino and Borgo Bardolino
11am - walk along the promenade to Garda town
1:30pm - explore the backstreets of Garda town and walk to the end of the promenade where you will find the sunbathing spots
2pm - have lunch at either La Bussola (seafood), DiVino (high end), Piccolo hotel (lake views) or Pegaso (pizzeria)
3:30pm - walk back to Bardolino and stop at Cristallos for an ice cream and an aperol spritz
7:30pm - have dinner at D'Annunzio Cafe in Bardolino
Day 5
9am - have breakfast at Solho Bardolino
10am - climb La Rocca mountain from Bardolino to Garda or walk along the promenade to the nearby town of Lazise
1pm - stop for lunch in Garda at one of the restaurants above or if you are in Lazise stop at either Pergolo (Mediterranean) or Porto Lion (Italian and seafood)
3:30pm - back in Bardolino, head to the Lenotti winery for a tour and tasting
7:30pm - have a delicious and affordable pizza at Caprice Pizzeria
Day 6
9am - have breakfast at Solho Bardolino and then check out
10am - drive to the Cantini Ricchi winery for a tour, tasting and vineyard picnic
12pm - drive to Riva del Garda in the North of Lake Garda and check into your hotel
2pm - explore Riva town and stop for lunch at either Panem or Cristallos
7:30pm - have dinner at Leon D'Oro
Day 7
9am - have breakfast at your hotel
10am - drive to Villa Canale and explore this medieval town
11am - take the short 0.10km walk to see the stunning Lake Tenno
1pm - head back down the hill and stop at Parco Grotta Cascate (waterfall park)
3pm - other options for the remainder of the day include:
Viewpoints of Torre Apponale or the Bastione in the centre or Mount Brione
Drive the Ponale road to Lake Ledro
Visit the Varone waterfall (in a cave just outside of Riva centre)
Visit Rocca di Riva (15 minute drive from centre)
7:30pm - we had a second meal at Leon D'Oro because the food was so good. Other restaurant options include: La Colombara or Villino Beach
Day 8
Time to head back to the airport to fly home