4* Beautiful Bardolino & Gastronomic Delights

June is the perfect time to visit the enchanting town of Bardolino on the Eastern shores of Lake Garda, one of the prettiest and most atmospheric on the lake, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. This fabulous brand-new tour stays at the Crusader favourite hotel, the excellent 4* Parc Hotel Gritti, right on the lake front and features an all new itinerary with a distinctive touch of La Dolce Vita. Indulge in some of the region's gastronomic delights and experience its natural beauty from the crystal-clear blue water to the lush green hills, from the amber sunsets to the blush rose wines.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Tour Highlights
- 5 nights in Bardolino with buffet dinner & continental breakfast- Afternoon tea with cake at main hotel (16.00 - 17.00)- Entertainment some nights in Italy- 1 overnight hotel in Switzerland with dinner and breakfast- 2 overnight hotels with breakfast- 3 included excursions- Guided tour & tasting at Cantine Redaelli De Zinis- Authentic Italian lunch with wine/water at Trattoria Da Arturo- Porterage in Italy- Italian Tourist Tax

Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you will travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Continue into France and the overnight hotel stop in Troyes. BB

DAY 2 - Relax and watch the rural French scenery unfold on the way to Switzerland for a one night stay - clear air, mountains and lakes awaits. Overnight in Emmetten, set above Lake Lucerne with stunning views. Dinner is included tonight. DBB

DAY 3 - After a leisurely breakfast continue through Alpine Switzerland and into Italy en-route to Bardolino, your holiday base for the next five nights. Your holiday price includes porterage on arrival plus afternoon tea and cakes daily (16.00 - 17.00). DBB

DAY 4 - 7 - At leisure in Bardolino with three included excursions. Bardolino is one of the top destinations selected by visitors to Lake Garda and the town is just a short stroll from the hotel along the lakeside promenade. It lies at the foot of rolling hills covered with orchards, olive groves and the vineyards for which the town is so famous. Spend a day at leisure enjoying its medieval, traffic-free centre. Its main square is full of inviting pavement cafés where you can simply relax and enjoy a glass of the locally produced wine. The cosmopolitan promenade stretches for 3km along the lakefront to neighbouring Garda. Should you wish, you could take a short ferry ride to nearby Lazise, a hidden gem of a beautiful historic walled town, and maybe enjoy lunch at a local taverna

Credit: Visit BardolinoINCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Mantova & Borghetto sul Mincio
Head south to visit the magnificent city of Mantova (Mantua), known as Italy's 'Sleeping Beauty'. Often overlooked by visitors to the area, Mantova remains relatively untouched since the Middle Ages and was UNESCO World Heritage Listed in 2008 for its fine medieval centre, the extraordinary architectural and artistic heritage left by the Gonzaga dynasty. Italy's Capital of Culture 2016, Mantova is just too good to miss, with its beautiful squares, ancient towers, turrets, cupolas and domes but without the crowds of Venice and Verona. Join the optional walking tour of the historic centre with a local guide. There are plenty of cafés and shops plus small, characterful restaurants tempting visitors with the local Mantuan specialities 'tortelli con la zucca' (ravioli stuffed with pumpkin) and 'sbrisolona' (biscuit cake with almonds). Journey back to Lake Garda via one of Italy's loveliest villages, Borghetto sul Mincio, where there is time for a stroll and maybe a cappuccino overlooking Borghetto's scenic weir and river

Salo & Wine Tasting
Travel to the other side of Lake Garda to the resort of Salo, famed for having the longest promenade on Lake Garda and possibly in the whole of Italy. The resort is a delight, with its marina, full of neatly parked boats, numerous attractive buildings and pretty piazzas and designer shopping opportunities. The promenade is lined with restaurants, café-bars and the mild climate here makes it ideal for relaxing and watching the world go by. Explore and enjoy free time in this historic location before driving into the beautiful Valtenesi countryside to Cantine Redaelli de Zinis. The Redaelli De Zinis family settled in the Trentino area in 15th century and have since then farmed the land and grown and produced wines using traditional and long-established methods. The Redaelli De Zinis family mansion is a classic example of rural Lombard architecture and still magnificently furnished with antique original pieces of furniture. It was used as a summer retreat by the family escaping the city heat and looking for cooler temperatures amongst the green and solitary hills crowning Lake Garda. Enjoy a guided tour with a visit of the wine cellars and a tasting of two wines, one sparkling wine and a grappa served with rustic bread and local olive oil

Sirmione & Authentic Trattoria Lunch
Visit the Lake Garda's 'jewel in the crown', Sirmione, which juts out several miles into the southern waters of the lake on a narrow peninsula of cypress and olive groves. There is a lovely moated castle, a medieval centre and ruins of an ancient Roman villa with thermal baths at the end of the peninsula. From here journey into the countryside, which bore witness to many battles, to discover the small chapel at San Martino della Battaglia, which pays homage to this epic period of history. Its extraordinary ossuary houses 1,274 skulls and the bones of 2,619 soldiers of the Sardinian Army and the VIII Army Corps of the Imperial Royal Austrian Army who fought in the bloody battle of San Martino (June 24, 1859), the armed confrontation of the second war of independence. Continue to nearby Trattoria da Arturo for an authentic 'blow out' lunch to enjoy some of the very best handmade pasta with some grilled meats washed down with homemade wine - a fabulous Italian experience!

DAY 8 - It's farewell to Lake Garda today as you head northwards to your final overnight hotel, the newly opened H2 Hotel Saarbruecken in Germany. BB

DAY 9 - After breakfast, continue to Calais for the return crossing to England.Parc Hotel Gritti, Bardolino
This outstanding 4* hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is just a short walk to the old centre of Bardolino along the lakeside promenade.

All 260 en suite bedrooms have lift access, satellite TV and hairdryer as well as complimentary tea/coffee facilities.

There is an indoor pool as well as a large outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace, sun beds and pool bar. Guests can enjoy the live piano bar on some evenings. A welcome drink and porterage are included. Afternoon tea is served every day between 4pm-5pm.

NB There is a supplement for balcony rooms. Not all balcony rooms are pool facing