Lake Garda - Culture, Wine & Cuisine

After breakfast we have a tour around Italy’s largest lake, the enormity of Lake Garda creates a Mediterranean microclimate where olive, lemon and palm trees flourish on the sunny side of the Alps and one of the world’s best and most sought-after olive oils is produced. The towns and villages on the shores are connected by the breathtaking Gardasana road. The panoramas were used for the opening scenes of the James Bond film, The Quantum of Solace. We stop for a traditional lunch of carne salada and fasoi, salt cured beef with barlotti beans.

Verona was the second Roman settlement in Italy, recognised by the Colosseum-like Roman amphitheater in the centre of Piazza Bra. The Arena is still used as a venue with a world class opera festival and other events held throughout the summer. Juliet’s House and famous balcony is just a stone’s throw from the main square. In the afternoon we travel to the Valpolicella wine area known for its excellent red wines. We will taste the light bodied fragrant Valpolicella wine with a snack on our visit to a local wine producer.

We will discover Lake Iseo, one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes at the foot of the Alps. We stroll through the streets of the medieval town of Iseo, which still maintains its old medieval hamlet from which the Oldofredi Castle, the Church of St. Andrew and centrally located Piazza Garibaldi rise. We continue through the hilly landscape of the Franciacorta wine region, famous for high quality sparkling wines and stop to enjoy a gourmet lunch with wine tasting.

Visit the enchanting 1000 year old city of Mantua with a guided walking tour, an important artistic and cultural hub of northern Italy, a UNESCO world heritage city. Verdi chose the Ducal Palace here as the setting for his ‘Rigoletto’ opera. We then head to Valeggio the spiritual home of tortellini for lunch. Legend has it that Malco, a captain in the Visconte army fell in love with a nymph, Sylvia, an impossible liaison which subsequently led to their arrest. Sylvia persuaded him to leave human life behind and follow her. Malco accepted and the two absconded leaving behind a knotted gold silk handkerchief as a sign of their indelible love.