Planes, trains, automobiles and a storm to remember… no cruise though

This time 2 weeks ago I was making my way from Milan to Genoa where I was to join 5 other colleagues and help assist with the cruise group we had arranged for Lake Garda & Venice.

After flying from Malaga to Milan, I had to get to a hotel on the outskirts of Genoa. Not an easy feat as my day consisted of a flight, a bus from Milan airport to the city center (approx 45 minutes away) and then a train from Milan to Genoa which took around an hour and 45 minutes. Then it was a further 20 minute taxi ride, in which the driver decided to sing to me most of this time!

After finally arriving at the hotel late that evening, I had a chance to have a quick catch up with my colleagues before it was time for bed and an early start the next morning.

We set off to meet the MSC Splendida docking in Genoa after a re-positioning cruise from Southampton. We had approx. 150 guests to meet and 4 coaches waiting ready to transport to Lake Garda. Ready in our cruise.co.uk high-vis vests we waited for guests to disembark and get ready for the 4 hour transfer. This was not any easy feat and took a bit longer than we expected. The ship was a little late embarking and meant that guests was piling of the ship in mass. There was several other groups on board and the confusion at the port made it very hectic. Thank fully we was organised as best we could be, with Sarah in arrivals directing our clients to Alison and myself, whom was then shown the way to meet Connie, Liz and Jane all waiting with the coaches.

Coach 2 – was you on my coach?

After a couple of hours and the sun shining we was all set to go. The weather forecast on the App looked to be good, it forecast rain in Italy but advised that the next 3 nights in Lake Garda would be clear and the same for Venice… oh how these weather apps lie.

We finally arrived at the hotel and although clear the sky was bit overcast. We got all the guests checked in and for us it was a quick shower and out for dinner, it had already been a long day.

The hotel in Peschiera del Garda is huge and very beautiful but with limited dining options, just a few hundred yards from the hotel was a very quaint village with several places to eat. It was also approx 10-15 minute walk to the Lake’s edge and a regular bus service took you to the main towns of Lazise or the opposite way to Sirimone or you could venture further and go into Verona.

On our second day we decided to walk to Lazise via the Lake and the scenery was outstanding, although overcast it hadn’t rained and the walk was pleasant approx 8km with beach, wooded areas and lovely lake side bars and restaurants.  By the time we arrived into Lazise, the heavens decided to open and it was a quick dash to a restaurant to rest our feet and have some lunch.

After arriving back to the hotel, we managed to get an hour or two before it was time to try another local restaurant, where the food and wine was absolutely amazing.

The following day the rain was at it’s worse and we decided to take a taxi into Lazise rather than risk the walk again in the wet weather. We had a mooch around the town and could really see what an beautiful place this area and the lakes would be in slightly better weather.

We picked a lakeside restaurant for lunch and was amazed at the views, you could see a storm brewing and the rains on the other side of the lake. Within an hour or so, the weather changed for the worse and the lake went black, the swans and ducks flew off and the winds picked up. It was an outstanding storm, although somewhat scary being that close to water. The restaurant pulled people in off of the street and was fantastic in making sure that everyone was safe and catered for.

After being there another hour or so and the storm had calmed, we decided to head back to the hotel. Looking like drowned rats we made it back and decided to just shower and get our warm PJ’s on. It was time for us to chill and have a wine slumber party in Jane and Connie’s room before we headed to Venice the next morning.

to be continued…

Dawn

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