Day One
Fly to Italy, meet your tour manager and board the coach for your journey to Lake Garda. Dinner will be served in the hotel this evening.

Day Two
Hemmed in by steep hillsides to the east, backed by the craggy Dolomites to the north, and surrounded vineyards, olive groves and woodland on its western and southern shores, Lake Garda is the setting for some of Italy's most attractive resorts. And today's coach tour is the perfect way to enjoy the area's marvellous scenery.

Day Three
Join today's half-day optional excursion to 'the world's most romantic city'. Surrounded on three sides by beautiful lakes, and with a skyline of turrets and towers, Mantova offers a wealth of interest in its ancient cobbled streets and squares, including an ornate Palazzo Ducale - once Europe's largest palace - and the exotic Renaissance Palazzo Te.

Day Four
Today you'll leave Lake Garda behind and journey west across the Lombardy Plain, and then north towards beautiful Lake Maggiore. Stopping in elegant Stresa, you'll board a boat for the short journey to the tiny, idyllic Borromean Islands. Stunning Isola Bella, with its 17th-century Baroque palace, picturesque Isola dei Pescatori, still inhabited by local fishermen, and Isola Madre with its Renaissance villa and superb botanical gardens. Later this afternoon, you'll continue to delightful Lake Mergozzo and your hotel.

Day Five
This morning's optional excursion takes us to Lake Orta, and the wonderful medieval town of Orta San Giulio, with its narrow streets, wrought-iron balconies and stunning lakeside piazzas. There'll also be a visit to the lakeside town of Omegna to wander around its bustling weekly produce market.

Day Six
Today's included excursion takes in two of the most beautiful of the Alpine lakes. Journey across the border to the Swiss resort of Lugano, with its pretty villages dotted around the lake. Explore the town centre before heading to idyllic Lake Como, backed by steep mountains, and lined with elegant villas and glorious gardens. Head to delightful Tremezzo, on the lake's eastern shore, to visit the botanical gardens and museum of the famed Villa Carlotta (entrance payable locally), before returning to Mergozzo in time for dinner.

Day Seven
Enjoy a last day in Mergozzo, or join our final optional excursion and cross into Switzerland, this time on the beautiful Cento Valle train from alpine Domodossola, through the breathtaking "hundred valleys", to sun- kissed Locarno. The views during this train journey are simply stunning, and you'll have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of colourful, Swiss Locarno before returning to the hotel.

Day Eight
Transfer to the airport to board your flight home.