Venice & Gardone Riviera

Arrive into Venice and transfer by private water taxi to Sina Centurion Palace, watching the city's palaces emerge from the water as you glide along the Grand Canal. With no traffic, no roads and church bells replacing the sound of engines, Venice immediately feels removed from everyday life. 

Spend the afternoon settling into Dorsoduro, perhaps with your first tramezzino and espresso or an early spritz overlooking the canal before dinner by candlelight.

A private guide introduces Venice through its flavours, beginning amongst the fishmongers and produce stalls of Rialto Market before weaving between historic bacari. Enjoy changing cicchetti at All'Arco, a glass of ombra at Cantina Do Mori and generous creations at Cantine del Vino Già Schiavi, where toppings might include creamy baccalà mantecato, marinated anchovies or seasonal artichokes.

The following day is left entirely at leisure with our favourite discoveries. Step inside the extraordinary Scuola Grande di San Rocco, find velvet friulane slippers at Piedàterre or lose yourself amongst the books piled inside Libreria Acqua Alta. If time allows, escape across the lagoon to Torcello, where lunch beneath the vines at Locanda Cipriani remains one of Venice's enduring pleasures.

Travel west to Gardone Riviera, where Grand Hotel Fasano occupies a beautifully restored nineteenth-century Austrian royal hunting lodge set amongst tranquil gardens on the shores of Lake Garda. Ducks drift across the water, cormorants gather along the shoreline, elegant Riva boats glide across the lake and mornings often begin with nothing more pressing than breakfast overlooking the water.

One morning, Fabio welcomes you aboard his private boat to reveal Lake Garda from its finest perspective. Cruise between Gardone Riviera and elegant Salò before circling Isola del Garda, where an extraordinary Venetian Neo-Gothic villa rises above cypress trees and terraced gardens. Pause for a swim in the lake's remarkably clear water or linger over a leisurely lunch at one of Fabio's favourite waterfront restaurants before returning across the bay.

The remaining days are intentionally unhurried. Board the lake ferry to elegant towns such as Sirmione or Limone sul Garda, paddle beneath the western cliffs, visit local wineries or simply enjoy a swim from the hotel before returning to the gardens with a good book.

Evenings celebrate the flavours of Lombardy. At Osteria Dalie e Fagioli, the signature tortello di spiedo pays homage to Brescia's celebrated slow-roasted meats. At Felter alle Rose, Chef Matteo Felter and his sister Ottavia champion beautifully seasonal cooking, from outstanding vitello tonnato to delicate tagliolini with lake fish, beurre blanc and caviar, accompanied by an excellent selection of local wines. These are the kinds of restaurants that quietly define a destination.

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking Lake Garda before your private transfer to Milan Bergamo Airport for your onward flight.