Majestic Lake Garda

Bardolino Wine Festival

The Bardolino Wine Festival has been going for almost 90 years! Dates are not yet confirmed for 2025 but it likely to be early October based on previous years so something to build into your itinerary! The festival marks the maturation and distribution of the new Bardolino wine - a red wine which is compounds of four grape genre; Rondinella, Molinara, Corvina Veronese and Negrara.

A great variety of events are held in the festival that lasts for five days; wine tasting, colourful food fair, entertainments, music and marvellous fireworks shows. Food is almost as important as the wine it appears and you kind try all sorts of freshly prepared local delicacies too.

Bardolini is just a short 10 minute taxi from Garda or a pleasant 45 minute walk along the lake – although it may take considerably longer to walk back! So fingers crossed we can get to the festival during the week.

Hotel Garden, Garda ****

https://www.gardengarda.com/index.cfm/en/

Hotel Garden boasts an enviable elevated position with stunning views overlooking the beautiful quiet waters of Lake Garda. The ideal stay where tradition and modern comforts form the perfect surroundings for relaxation or leisure.  

Situated in a sunny position and surrounded by tall trees the Hotel is located just 150 m from the lively lakefront and the historical centre of Garda. The hotel is completely air-conditioned, has a lift, one swimming pool and 4 tennis courts. The friendly family atmosphere creates the perfect harmony for mind & body. 

Hotel Garden facilities include -

• Swimming Pool
• Private Covered Parking
• Lunch restaurant
• Wi-Fi / Internet point
• Air Conditioning and Heating
• Tennis courts
• Bar
• Reading room
• Excursions and Events
• City Bike
• Gym 

The story of the hotel starts with the history of the family. The current owners grandfather Luigi Zermini was a businessman in Milan; in the years after World War II he decided to move with the whole family to his birth place in Garda.

The country house that he bought became after several enlargements the Hotel Garden. You can still find traces of the old construction in the bar and restaurant, decorated with the ‘typical pinkish stone’ of Verona.

In 1969 Armando took over from his father, helped by his wife Mary and, later, by his four children. Now, Maddalena, Francesca and Carlo, supported by the experience and by the kindness of their parents, carry on the family tradition in the direction of the hotel.

The hotel has rooms with mountain views and lake views and we have a selection of both for you to choose from:

Lake View (Girasole) rooms are equipped with Simmons beds, a company specialized in anti-allergy memory foam mattresses and a private bathroom with shower. Balcony with lake view, air conditioning, heating, minibar, sat TV and safe.

Mountain View (Margherita) rooms use equipped with Simmons beds, a company specialized in anti-allergy memory foam mattresses and a private bathroom with shower. Balcony with mountain view, air conditioning, heating, minibar, sat TV and safe.

Single rooms both mountain and lake view are double rooms sole occupancy.

Provisional Flight Information

04/10/2025 London Stansted to Milan Bergamo Dep: 1100 Arr: 1355

09/10/2025 Milan Bergamo to London Stansted Dep:2225 Arr: 2330

04/10/2025 Manchester to Milan Bergamo Dep: 1015 Arr: 1325

09/10/2025 Milan Bergamo to Manchester Dep:2325 Arr: 0035(+1)

Passport validity

You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in the first half of 2025 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.

ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to a number of European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport (and other documents if required) and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Italy

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy