Lake Garda & Gardaland Resort - Italy with Faye, Nina, Ross & Midi

 Lake Garda & Gardaland Resort - Italy 

Our Italian adventure awaited and on arrival we were welcomed with a cold glass of fizz before being shown to our accommodation situated just a short walk from the lake itself. 

Sunday began with a quintessentially Italian breakfast of strong coffee and buttery croissants before we headed to Peschiera. The canals, bridges, and pastel-coloured buildings felt like stepping straight into a postcard. We wandered the streets, snapped photos, and savoured our first Italian gelato.

 Rick stole the show with a stunning rendition of Shallow on the karaoke. 

Monday took us to Gardaland for a full day of thrills. We started gently on the carousel and scenic train ride, before plunging into adrenaline-pumping rides: a drop tower that left stomachs flipping, a 4D cinema adventure with wind and water effects, and immersive rides through animatronic jungles and thrilling storylines. 

From the log flume to futuristic AI Theatre experiences, laughter and excitement filled every corner of the park.

We spent the morning at the SEA LIFE Centre, where we wandered through glowing glass tunnels, watching sharks glide effortlessly overhead, stingrays sweep past beneath us, and delicate jellyfish drift in softly lit tanks. Each area offered something new to admire, and we took our time soaking it all in.

      

The evening took us to Lazise, a charming lakeside town alive with cobbled streets, pastel buildings, and artisan shops. Twinkling lights, live music, and dancing in the streets turned the night into a spontaneous, joyful celebration, perfectly capturing the magic of Italy.    

 

We started the morning in Lazise, wandering through the lively local market, taking in the vibrant stalls of fresh produce, handmade crafts, and colorful souvenirs, with the tempting aroma of bread and pastries filling the air. From there, we caught the ferry across the lake to Sirmione and immediately treated ourselves to what were probably the biggest, creamiest ice creams we’d ever seen, savoring every indulgent bite. Strolling through the town, we admired the narrow cobbled streets, pastel buildings, and quaint shops before making our way down to the shingled beach, where the sunlight made the water sparkle. 

                                                                                          

We explored quaint shops tucked away along narrow streets before boarding a luxury boat tour, which took us around Sirmione’s historic city walls and out onto the lake. Seeing the town from the water, with its castle, elegant buildings, and dramatic setting, made for truly unforgettable memories. We didn’t want this experience to end so we asked the captain if he could drive us all the way back to Lazise… and he said yes! The ride back was unforgettable. Water sprayed us, music played, and we danced on the deck, laughing and waving as we sped across the lake.

Today was a day of pure adrenaline at MovieLand. From high-speed Route 66 cars to towering drop rides, off-road adventures on Magma 2.1, spinning thrills on Dr Brown’s Enterprise, and inverted coaster loops on Diabolik Invertigo, every ride pushed us to laugh, scream, and cheer. Interstellar simulators, mission-based rides, and line dancing kept the energy high. 

Friday took us to the beautiful city of Verona, where history and romance seemed to meet at every turn. We explored the impressive Arena di Verona, standing in awe of the ancient amphitheatre that has hosted performances for centuries. 

From there, we wandered along the city’s cobbled streets, soaking up the elegant architecture and lively atmosphere. A visit to Juliet’s famous balcony added a touch of romance, before we slowed the pace, enjoying charming cafés, browsing artisan shops, and watching the world go by

 The afternoon was spent laughing and splashing about on the water chute, drifting lazily along the river, and soaking in the glorious weather. Pure bliss. 

Today was Paul’s 50th birthday, and we started the day with a little celebration at our home. We decorated the table with balloons and presented him with a few thoughtful presents from his new JollyDays friends. Of course, there was Bucks Fizz and croissants galore, setting the tone for a day full of fun and excitement.