Our experience and observations following seven days visiting the tourist attractions of Riva Del Garda, Verona, Venice and an Alpine tour bringing in Canale di Tenno and a winery.
Our Italian Adventure: Riva del Garda, Verona, Venice and Alpine tour.
Retirement has its perks, and one of the best is the freedom to travel at our own pace. Recently, we took a trip — exploring the stunning landscapes and vibrant cities of Northern Italy. Our journey took us from the tranquil shores of Riva del Garda to the historic streets of Verona, the canals of Venice and the awe-inspiring landscape of our Alpine tour. Each destination had its unique charm, and we are excited to share our experiences with you!
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Riva del Garda in Italy:-
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Verona in Italy:-
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Venice in Italy:-
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Alpine tour in Italy:-
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Walking & Cycling tour in Italy:-
Link to a video and still image montage of our Sept 2024 Boat Tour in Italy:-
Our first visit to Venice took place back in October 2007:-
Youtube link to the JustRetired50Plus video and still image montage of our July 2013 Venice trip, when we visited Venice again for a few days prior to embarking on a Mediterranean cruise:-
To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/CsyMOV1s9X8
In considering a trip to this region of northern Italy, we decided to take a guided tour with the Travel Department, with a guide on-hand (Anna-Lisa) whilst visiting each of the three main holiday locations of (1) Riva del Garda (2) Verona, and (3) Venice.
The tour comprised seven nights staying in a three star hotel on a half-board basis. All of our daily coach trips began and ended at our Brione hotel in Riva del Garda.
During our tour free days, there were optional tours available at extra costs. We did an Alpine and wine tasting tour. On another optional day, we did both walking and cycling trips along the well worn trails and bicycle paths around Riva. These trails and paths are in the main separated for road traffic for safety.
After our seven nights at the Brione Hotel in Riva del Garda we flew back to Dublin from Verona airport.
Days 1-2: Riva del Garda – A Peaceful Haven on Lake Garda
Our adventure began in Riva del Garda, a gem on the northern tip of Lake Garda. We chose Riva for its combination of breathtaking natural beauty, outdoor activities, great restaurants and relaxed atmosphere. Nestled at the foot of dramatic mountains and hugged by the lake's crystal-clear waters, Riva del Garda was the perfect place to unwind and ease into our Italian escape.
Strolling Along the Lakeside Promenade
Our first day was all about soaking in the views. We took a leisurely stroll along the lakeside promenade, enjoying the fresh air and gentle breeze. It’s a great walk — flat, scenic, and filled with delightful cafes where we could stop for a cappuccino or a glass of local wine. The colourful buildings along the waterfront were postcard-perfect, and we found ourselves stopping frequently to capture the moment.
Exploring the Old Town and Local Markets
Riva’s old town is a charming mix of narrow streets, small squares, and historic buildings. We visited the Rocca di Riva, a medieval fortress that now houses a museum with fascinating exhibits on the local history and culture. We also loved wandering through the weekly market, which was brimming with fresh produce, cheeses, and local crafts. It was the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs and a delicious picnic lunch. The market alternates, each Wednesday, between Riva and Arco.
Cruising the Lake to Limone sul Garda
One of the highlights of our stay in Riva was a boat trip across the lake to Limone sul Garda and Malcesine. The boat ride itself was a joy — with the Alps as a backdrop and the sun sparkling on the water. Limone is famous for its lemon groves, and we spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the town, sampling limoncello, and enjoying a seafood lunch right by the water.
Panoramic lift to the Bastion
For a super vantage point to take great photos of the town of Riva and the Northern end of Lake Garda, take the relatively new panoramic lift up to the Bastion ruin overlooking the lake. The lift is located at the foot of Mount Rocchetta and cost €8 return fare. Again, there is a very nice restaurant there, so wonderful to have a drink while feasting your eyes on the extraordinary panoramic view.
Days 3: Verona – Stepping Back in Time
After a day of lakeside bliss, we took a short drive to Verona, a city that felt like stepping into a storybook. Verona is famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but it has so much more to offer than just the famous balcony!
Discovering Verona’s Roman Roots
We kicked off our Verona adventure with a visit to the Arena di Verona, a stunning Roman amphitheater right in the heart of the city. It’s smaller than Rome’s Colosseum but wonderfully preserved and still used for concerts and operas. From there, we wandered over to the Ponte Pietra, a Roman bridge with breathtaking views over the Adige River.
A Taste of Verona’s Culture
Piazza delle Erbe was our next stop, a bustling market square surrounded by colourful frescoed buildings and historic towers. We took our time sampling local treats — a scoop (or two!) of gelato and some pastissada de caval, a Veronese specialty, horse stew. We also couldn’t resist stopping at a local enoteca for a tasting of Amarone, the rich red wine from the nearby Valpolicella region.
Finding Romance in Unexpected Places
We did, of course, visit the fictional Juliet’s Balcony, which was charming despite the crowds. But what we loved most was simply wandering the streets and getting lost among the beautiful architecture. We stumbled upon hidden courtyards, quaint shops, and cozy cafes — and realised that romance is found in the little moments and unexpected places.
Days 5: Venice – A City Like No Other
Venice is a city that defies description. Although our third time to visit, from the moment we arrived, we were captivated by its unique beauty. Venice is a city of canals and narrow alleys, where every turn reveals something new and wonderful.
We never grow tired of Venice, and every time we visit, we discover something or somewhere new. Venice is the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region and is build on more than 100 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges, all located in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea.
Be wary of of your possessions at the most popular tourist locations. As in all parts of Europe, pickpockets thrive in these locations…………….you have been warned !
Throughout our holiday the weather was perfect for cruising, sun-bathing and touring. We had a wonderful time and all the more enjoyable because we were with a very nice Irish tour group.
Given the different languages spoken, it is always a good idea to get a guide so that you get a better understanding and appreciation of where you are visiting. Our Travel Department guide - Anna-Lisa - accompanied us on all our tours, generously sharing her knowledge and insights. At times, the main guide is supported by location-specific tour guides in order to provide an even more informed and personalised tour. Indeed you can organise your own tour, if you so wish.
Floating Through the Canals
No visit to Venice is complete without a gondola ride, so we did just that. Gliding through the quiet back canals with our gondolier serenading us was an experience we’ll never forget. It was surprisingly peaceful, and we loved seeing Venice from the water. We passed the famous Rialto Bridge, waved at other gondolas, and marvelled at the grand palazzos lining the canals.
Exploring Venice’s Iconic Sights
We toured St. Mark’s Square, visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and climbing the Campanile for a panoramic view of the city. The intricate mosaics inside the basilica were simply stunning. The Doge’s Palace next door was equally impressive, with its ornate ceilings, grand halls, and the Bridge of Sighs — which we walked across, imagining the stories it holds.
Venetian Delights: Food and Finds
We made it a point to sample Venetian cuisine, starting with cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas, at a little bacaro near the Rialto Market. The seafood was fresh, and the prosecco was crisp — we were in heaven! We also discovered the charming Libreria Acqua Alta, a quirky bookstore where books are stored in bathtubs to protect them from flooding. It was such a unique find and a great place to pick up a few books as souvenirs.
On this trip we made a point of visiting the infamous Harry’s Bar on Calle Vallaresso, near the water and St Mark’s Square, where it has operated since the 1930s. It is home to the Bellini and Carpaccio and has hosted numerous famous people over the years.
Burano and Murano
Although technically Burano is its own separate island, it’s only a short boat ride from Venice and a popular day trip. Burano is known as one of the most colourful islands in the world, with rows of houses boasting all colours and shades of the rainbow. Aside from being a photographer’s dream, Burano is famous for its artisanal lace making.
We also visited Murano and Burano on our 2013 trip.
Murano, like neighbouring Burano, is another beautiful island close to Venice. Murano has earned its nickname as the glass island because of its famous glass making artisans. The history behind this trade started in 1291, when the Venetian Republic forced local glass makers to move to the island of Murano to avoid potential fires. Now the craft is the island’s main attraction for visitors, where they can see glass blowing demonstrations and take home beautiful souvenirs.
Alpine tour and visit to winery
We went on the optional half day Alpine tour, which took in a number of great viewing spots, a visit to the arty town of Canale di Tenno, which acts as a retreat location for artists. In the organic winery we did a guided tour and then enjoyed a wine tasting session with nibbles.
Sense of the cities of Northern Italy
In terms of currency, we were able to use both Euro cash and various credit cards throughout our visit to Venice. However, in Venice ‘Cash is still King’.
Our general experience of the Italian people was that they are very friendly, they dress more stylishly than most and are definitely much more casual, they also have a great affinity with Irish people in terms of being up-beat and with a sense of humour. Indeed, as tourists we felt welcomed in all cities visited.
On our last day we returned to the wonderful restaurant, Bellariva, facing onto the lake on the corner of Via Franz Kafka. A special shout-out for their carbonara and tiramisu - simply delicious.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to Riva del Garda, Verona, and Venice
(1) Our full day in Venice were really enjoyable – Venice is a magical place;
(2) The tours of the different cities, reminding us of the extraordinary rich history of Europe, and
(3) The Italian food, as always, has great variety and is most enjoyable at any time of the year.
Cost per person for the holiday was roughly €1,500 Euro.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”
Observations from our trip to Northern Italy
The majority of apartments and hotels provide television in their rooms with an Italian satellite service. The service offers hundreds of Italian speaking stations only. If you wish to keep in contact with English speaking news stations etc., you will have to bring along with you, your own means of accessing these stations (mobile phone or iPad);
The book swops in hotels and apartments are generally well stocked, however, the majority of books are in German. Presumably, because of the regions Germanic past and its proximity to Austria. it is also very hard to find books in English in the local book shops. So, bring ample reading material with you for the duration of your vacation;
We experienced no evidence of any taxi service around Riva, so your only options for transport are walking, cycling, car hire of public transport;
Italian food in restaurants is fantastic. With fish, pasta, pizza dishes the main offerings. While in this region, if you get overdosed on Italian fair there are some discrete American style burger chains available in shopping centres;
Due to the size of the wineries in this region, very few produce enough wine to support export. If you are smitten with a particular wine, you can ship home a supply;
There are no soft white sandy beaches on the lake shoreline. Pebble beaches are ubiquitous on Lake Garda, so swimmers gutty shoes are required for safe entry and exit out of the lake. Also, during periods of extreme temperatures, stoney beaches have a very high solar heat absorption structure. The use of shoes will avoid burnt feet;
Nightlife is ultra casual in attire, so pack smart as you will need less cloths. We recommend a 10 Kilo case on wheels and a back pack that fits under the seat in front of you on the plane;
We advise you to bring sun creams with you. We have found it difficult to replicate the sun protection factor, we are used to at home, in the products available locally;
Be advised that when visiting Venice, a €20 tax per person is now payable. Allied to a restriction on the size of tour groups to 20/ guide in total.
Note: All opinions and recommendations expressed are our own, devoid of any possible coercive sponsorship or advertising funding.
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