Lake Garda Italian Christmas Markets – Dec 11 – 16, 2024

This is our exclusive tour to Lake Garda and the Christmas Markets in Northern Italy.

You might want to combine this tour with our Paris Christmas Tour and Notre Dame Catherdral Reopening Tour as that tour ends on Dec. 10, 2024 and this tour starts on Dec. 11, 2024.

Spend 6 days and 5 nights touring the magical Christmas Markets of Northern Italy

Our hotel is the 4 star Grand Hotel Riva in Riva del Garda. Riva del Garda is a resort in northern Italy, on Lake Garda’s northern shore and in the northern Italian province of Trento of the Trentino Alto Adige region. Since 2019 the Municipality of Riva del Garda has decided to close all the town center to traffic and for this reason
it is no more possible to reach the hotel with the bus, neither for pick up or drop off of guests.

For this reason, upon request, the hotel will arrange a porterage service for the luggage. The nearest stop is at the former train station by the tourist information point and the porterage includes 1 piece of luggage per person.

Our transfers are from the Verona Airport (VRN). If you prefer to go by train to and from Riva del Garda, the nearest railway station to Riva del Garda is at Rovereto (20km) to the east. From Rovereto the buses of Trentino Trasporti offer a shuttle service to the northern end of the lake. The cost of the train will depend on where you take it from or to.

You won’t find this tour anywhere else as this is an exclusive tour from InterlineTravel.com.

In addition the following is included:

• Private coach transfer to and from hotel and Verona airport (1 group transfer each way)
• Accommodation with daily breakfast buffet
• Experienced English speaking guide

Not included are:

• Flights
• Optional services as shown below
• Drinks during the whole stay
• Meals
• Carrying of luggage unless otherwise specified
• Extras, tips and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Any services not indicated
• Hotel city taxes – Tourist city tax in 4* hotel in Riva del Garda: € 2,50 per person, per night (current rates – increases are possible and beyond our control)
• Tips

The form of catering in the hotel and other services may differ from our offer/confirmation due to Covid-19 regulations. Changes in the access and visiting regulations for historical sites and museums , for example, are possible based on the current ordinances in force.

Our amazing itinerary is:

• Dec. 11, 2024 – Arrival in Trentino – Arrival in Verona and take our bus transfer. It will leave the Verona Airport (VRM) at around 2pm. You can also take a train to Riva del Garda. See above for train info. Check in at your hotel (in general check in is around 3 p.m/4 p.m). Rest of evening at leisure. That evening enjoy welcome drink before heading out to a local restaurant for dinner. (on your own)
• Dec. 12, 2024 – Explore Trentino – Today we embark on a circular tour taking in two of Trentino’s many ancient castles. Our first visit is to Toblino Castle which sits on a small promontory overlooking the lake of the same name, providing a majestic setting for this 900 year old fortress. You will see grand staterooms and preserved frescoes dating back to the 1500’s.
  We continue on through the Cavedine Valley to Drena Castle, which is said to have been constructed on top of a prehistoric settlement. Strategically important and impregnable in medieval times, the castle protected the road that lead from Trento to Lake Garda. Your guide will give you the background on the impressive fortress with its well preserved remains. We will also acquaint you with the local drink grappa as we call in on a local distillery to sample the produce. As we make our way back to Riva we will call in on the town of Arco, dominated too, by its imposing hilltop castle ruins, to wander its narrow alleyways and quiet squares. Dinner on your own.
• Dec. 13, 2024 – Explore Bolzano – After breakfast we head north to the town of Bolzano, a fascinating town where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and two distinct cultures and languages merge. Here Tyrolean traditions and cuisine meet Latin flavours, and the Christmas markets are heady with the scent of cinnamon and spices, whilst stands offer local delicacies and wonderful handmade gifts and decorated candles. On our way back to the hotel we call in on the market of Trento where we will enjoy a warming glass of mulled wine and Strauben, a traditional deep-fried sweet, commonly served with fruit jam. Dinner on your own.
• Dec. 14, 2024 – Exploring Canale and Rango Christmas Markets – We visit two of Italy’s most beautiful villages to sample their Christmas Markets on a altogether more intimate level. Our guided tour of the ancient villages of Canale and Rango will make you feel that you are experiencing a real life nativity play where you too take part!
  Canale is an authentic medieval village dating back to the 1200’s, perched on a hill just a few miles from Riva del Garda which has become reborn since it was abandoned after World War 1. Your guide will explain the history of this village, explaining its rediscovery by artists in the 60’s before you will have some time to soak up the Christmas spirit in its cobbled alleyways and enjoy the delicacy of a Carne Salada roll accompanied by a glass of wine before we continue on to the village of Rango, passing by the hidden gem that is Lake Tenno.
  Like Canale, Rango is a member of the Association of the most beautiful historic villages of Italy, and the traditional market stalls are cosily arranged in the porches and cellars of this typical old Trentino village. Here you will get familiar with the centuries old handicrafts and watch artisans as they make their goods and ply their trade. Both stops represent an altogether different but wonderful Christmas market experience. Dinner on your own.
• Dec. 15, 2024 – Explore Riva del Garda – Today you have a relaxing day to explore the lakeside resort of Riva del Garda. Take in a stroll along the lakeside promenade or explore the narrow streets of the old town. Stepping out of your hotel you find yourself right in the heart of the town and Riva’s Christmas market. Just 4 km north Arco offers its own share of magical Christmas Atmosphere. Make sure you don’t miss out to buy some crafts or local products to take home with you. Dinner on your own.
• Dec. 16, 2024 – Depart for Home – Sadly today we end our tour. After breakfast at the hotel we depart for Verona Airport (VRN) for  your flight home. It’s about a one hour bus ride. So don’t schedule a flight or train ride before 11am.

Cost – This will vary based on how many people sign up. But here is the breakdown. Rates are per person based on double occupancy.

We offer two prices on this tour, one for the public and one for interliners. Interliners for this tour are airline employee or spouse, airline retiree or spouse, parent or parent-in-law of the airline employee and anyone traveling with them.

For the public, the price is

• 15 to 19 guests – $999pp
• 20 to 24 guests – $919pp
• 25 to 29 guests – $849pp
• 30 to 34 guests – $799pp
• Single supplement – add $219 – Limited to 5 single room, first book, first get. Waitlist after that.

Our exclusive price for interliners is below – (you need to be a member of our website and logged in to see the pricing.

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We have a 15 person minimum to make the tour go. If you sign up at the higher price and we get more people, you will end up paying what the final price for the tour ends up. For example, you sign up when we only have 10 people signed up, the cost is the higher price shown. For example if we end up with over 30 or more going the price drops and that price based on how many are booked would be the final price you would pay.

Yes you can bring friends with you and parents and in-laws of employees can book into this also and go at the same rate as you do as the interliner. We want to fill the group to 39 to get the rate down. If we get an overwhelming response we will go to our operator and see about adding a 2nd or 3rd date. Otherwise once we hit 40 we will have a waitlist in case of cancellations.

Deposit is $500pp at the time of booking, if we still have space left. Must book no later than Nov. 6, 2025.

Final Payment is due at time of booking.

No penalty if you cancel prior to or on Oct. 20, 2024.

50% penalty if cancelled after Oct. 20, 2024 and before Nov. 4, 2024

Full penalty if cancelled after Nov. 5, 2024.

We strongly suggest you take out travel insurance to cover you for cancellation or medical issues while on the trip. Ask our agent for that info or click here to purchase it.

If we are unable to operate the tour due to Covid restrictions. then everyone booked will get a full refund to their credit card they paid with.

To book, contact InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911 and any agent can take your info and payment. We need your full legal name to book and your billing address for your credit card. The charge will come from Dynamic Travel on your credit card bill.