Bardolino Holidays

Free Excursion: Pre-book three excursions per person and receive a FREE full day excursion to Verona

Verona Opera (evening)

The Verona Opera is definitely one for the bucket list! The season runs from mid June to early September and covers all the classics including Aida by Verdi or Turnadot by Puccini. Whichever performance you choose; you’ll have an incredible evening. We’ve included transport to and from the arena so you won’t have to worry about a thing. You can find out more about the opera and see the 2021 programme here.

Price: from £64 per person (price based on un-numbered steps tickets, upgrades are available)

Departs: Various days from June to September (click here for the 2021 schedule)

Venice Classic (full day)

Spend a day in this rich and indulgent city; known for its spectacular Renaissance architecture, dramatic theatre history, cobbled streets and charming waterways. It’s not to be missed! Our Venice Classic excursion allows you to explore the city with a guide as well as at your own pace. You’ll arrive there by coach and a water taxi transfer is included into the historic centre. You’ll also have the option to add on a gondola ride (payable locally). There’s plenty of time to take in sights of the Basilica, Doge's Palace, St Mark's square and the Rialto bridge in your own time – this is the perfect introduction to one of Italy's most magical cities.

Price: from £67 per person

Departs: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Venice Special (full day)

Extend your day in Venice with this excursion. You’ll spend the day exploring the cobbled lanes and canals. We’ve included a lagoon boat trip that takes around an hour – you’ll get to see the Laguna islands as well as other famous spots and monuments. There is so much to see and do in the city, and with your departure time back to your hotel not until 9pm, you won't be rushed to fit them all in.

Price: from £76 per person

Departs: Wednesdays

Majestic Dolomites (full day)

We think the Dolomites are the most breath-taking part of the Alps and this excursion gives you the chance to embrace mountain life with one of our fantastic tour guides. It starts with a scenic drive through the exceptional South Tyrol, Val di Fiemme, Cavalese and Moena regions. You’ll then stop off at Passa Pordoi and take in the incredible views from this 2,000-metre-high vantage point. Then there’s some free time to explore the terrain at your own pace, either by taking one of the trekking paths or simply enjoying an Aperol at a refugio and taking in the views. A stop off at the chocolate box town of Ortisei is included on the way back to your hotel as well as plenty of stops for photo opportunities in this awe inspiring landscape.

Price: from £50 per person

Departs: Mondays and Fridays

Tour of Lake Garda (half day)

Get ready to explore the best of Lake Garda on this excursion – there’s so much natural beauty and picturesque towns to discover. See the spectacular mountain scenery of the north and the sunny plains of the south. Travelling by both coach and ferry, the tour itinerary for this excursion varies depending on where you start but will usually follow the famous Gardensana road lined with fragrant olive and lemon trees to reach the likes of Malcesine, Sirmione, Salo and Limone.

Price: from £47 per person

Departs: Tuesdays and Fridays

Verona (full day)

Verona is one of Italy’s most charming little cities. This day trip dips into the romance of the medieval city, reliving the scenes from Romeo and Juliet while wandering around through the cobbled streets and past ancient buildings. The impressive 2,000-year-old Roman arena is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and is currently home to the Verona Opera, and the marble paved shopping street of Via Mazzini leads you to the stunning Piazza Delle Erbe. The handsome city mixes its rich past and modern present with great style.

Price: from £37 per person

Departs: Tuesdays and Fridays

Milan (full day, bookable locally)

Milan is one of the most stunning cities in Italy and has transformed what comes to mind when we think of the industrial landscape. This hive of activity and industry plays host to the heavyweights of haute couture fashion, art and baroque architecture. From the towering and awe inspiring Duomo to Da Vinci's Last Supper housed in the Santa Maria delle Grazie, a guided tour of Milan is to be missed.

Departs: Thursdays

Please note that the price of excursions will vary depending on the resort you are staying in. We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Food & wine

This town is serious about its wine and there’s lots of opportunities to learn all about it by taking trips to the nearby vineyards. Go to the Zeni Winery for a tasting and tour of the vines. There’s a great museum there too. The Bardolino Wine Festival takes place twice a year. There's plenty of opportunity to taste the wines and sample regional food specialties, all accompanied by musical concerts ending in a spectacular firework display over the lake.

As well as wine, Bardolino is known for its olive oil. You’ll find a museum about two kilometres outside the town where you can see traditional equipment used to make the oil and a shop where you can buy some of the produce.

Walking

There’s lots of great walking trails that start in Bardolino. As the area’s fairly flat, it’s good for beginners. We like the lakeside walks - you can go for about an hour in each direction and stop off for a drink on the way. Head to the top of La Rocca for the best views.

Cycling

There’s over 100 cycling routes in Bardolino including mountain bike trails and more peaceful routes that follow the lake edge. You can cycle round the whole lake if you want to, or just choose part of it and head back on a ferry. There’s places locally where you can hire bikes – lots of our hotels have some you can borrow, too.

Sightseeing

Jump on a ferry and visit the other towns on the lake. Sirmione will take about an hour – head here to get some fab holiday photos of the castle and moat, plus try the town’s famous ice cream! Hop across the lake to Gardone and visit the Heller Botnical Gardens – we love afternoons here admiring the flowers and the interesting artwork.

If you want some thrills, spend a day at a theme park. Gardaland, Caneva World and Movieland are all close by. To get your culture fix, head to Venice or Verona for the day. Trains run regularly from stations in Desenzano and Peschiera.