Map of Lake Garda (click for details) This year we decided on a more relaxing Leger coach trip where we stayed in one hotel for all bar those nights on the journey there and back; this avoided having to get up so early each day for our journey to the next stop. We chose to stay on Lake Garda (at the Hotel Club La Vela in Torboli next to Riva at the top of the lake) as we had been to Garda before for day trips and thought it was beautiful.

Unfortunately, it did mean that our normal coach drivers, John and Tony, would not be with us as they were scheduled for the new Baltic Capitals Tour. Instead we had Steve and Dee who did an excellent job; their patience under very difficult circumstances during the long drive to Lake Garda on the first full day was admirable (more later) and Dee's driving in the mountains of the Dolomites has changed my natural prejudices about lady drivers (just joking ladies) but I would not have relished tackling those bends. Charlie Croker's famous line in the Italian Job "Hang on, lads; I've got a great idea" came to mind.