Lake Garda and the mountains north of Malcesine seen from the castle
Suggested family holiday

Lake Garda & the Dolomites: an active family holiday

A week on Malcesine’s lakefront, then a week in San Vigilio: swimming, kayaking, cycling and mountain walks, with just one change of hotel.

14 nights · 7 in each baseSelf-drive · 15 days’ car hireBreakfast + three-quarter board

£9,780 total for threeGuide price for two adults and one child aged up to 15 sharing accommodation. Flights booked separately.Tell us what your family enjoys

Holiday overview

Two full weeks, one lake and one mountain base

Begin beside Lake Garda at Hotel Castello Lake Front, with Malcesine’s old town on foot. Continue to Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort for walks, cycling and family pool time, with meals arranged around days outdoors.

Price guide

14 nights · £9,780 for three

Based on two adults and one child aged up to 15 sharing a suite in Malcesine and a Dolomites Lodge room in San Vigilio.

Your quotation confirms travel dates, the precise Castello suite, car category and hire terms. Accommodation is subject to availability.

Flights, fuel, road tolls, local tourist taxes and optional outings are separate.

Example inclusions

Arranged by ExpertoItaly

  • 7 nights at Hotel Castello Lake Front, with breakfast
  • 7 nights at Excelsior, with three-quarter board
  • 15 days’ car hire
  • Castello’s beachfront facilities and complimentary kayaks and SUPs, subject to availability and conditions
  • Excelsior’s family swimming and wellness facilities and Kronplatz Guest Pass
  • Personal holiday planning, support and financial protection

Room details and hotel inclusions are set out below. Boat trips, cable cars, additional guides, sailing lessons and e-bike hire are optional extras.

Why this holiday works

Active days with time to settle in

This example is designed for a family of three who enjoy being outdoors and are comfortable sharing accommodation. Activities are chosen around your child’s age, confidence and interests.

Best for

Swimming, cycling and walking

Mix mornings on the water with a castle visit or an easy ride. In the Dolomites, choose woodland paths, longer walks or cycling with local advice.

Pace

Seven nights at each hotel

A full week leaves room for changing weather, a favourite outing repeated and afternoons without plans. There is no need to drive somewhere new every day.

Sequence

Lakefront freedom, then hotel dining

Explore Malcesine’s restaurants during the first week. Excelsior’s three-quarter board then takes care of everyday meals, with dinner waiting after a mountain outing.

The move

Make the journey part of the holiday

The scenic drive via Val Gardena, Passo Gardena and Corvara brings the mountain landscape into the transfer day. Leave time for stops and arrive by late afternoon.

Where you stay

Accommodation that suits each week

The lake stay offers town life and time on the water. The mountain resort adds a regular meal arrangement, a family spa and advice for the paths and rides around San Vigilio.

Hotel Castello beside Malcesine castle and the lakefront
Hotel Castello’s beachfront setting beside Malcesine’s castle.
Example of a Hotel Castello suite sitting area
Suite example; the precise category and layout are confirmed in your quotation.
Breakfast tables overlooking Lake Garda at Hotel Castello
Breakfast overlooking Lake Garda.
Malcesine · Lake Garda · 7 nights

Hotel Castello Lake Front

A beachfront base beside the castle and old town, with lakefront terraces and restaurants within walking distance. A shared suite gives the family space to settle in, while breakfast is arranged and lunch and dinner remain flexible.

Example arrangements

  • 7 nights in a suite shared by two adults and one child; exact category confirmed when quoting
  • Bed and breakfast
  • Beachfront facilities; complimentary hotel kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, subject to availability and suitable conditions
  • Access to the shared swimming pool at sister hotel Luna Rossa nearby
  • Suggested outings: the castle, a boat trip to another lake town, Monte Baldo by cable car and cycling selected to suit the least confident rider. Tickets, bike hire and lessons are extra.
  • Useful note: the pool is at a separate property. We confirm the suite’s third bed and layout before booking.
  • Onward journey: after seven nights, drive north via Torbole and Rovereto, then through Val Gardena and over Passo Gardena to San Vigilio.

View accommodation details

Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort and San Vigilio di Marebbe
Excelsior and its village setting in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Dolomites Lodge room with a bed sofa and balcony
Dolomites Lodge example; furnishings and layout may vary.
Outdoor climbing wall at Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort
The hotel’s outdoor climbing wall; activities follow the hotel programme.
San Vigilio di Marebbe · Dolomites · 7 nights

Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort

Settle into a mountain village base with a guided hiking programme, family wellness facilities and meals already planned. Short outings fit around lunch at the hotel; longer days can finish with a swim and dinner together.

Example arrangements

  • 7 nights in a 37 m² Dolomites Lodge room for three, with king-size bed and sofa bed
  • Three-quarter board: breakfast, light lunch at the hotel, sweet and savoury afternoon refreshments, and four-course dinner
  • Family Spa with indoor pool, children’s section and slide, outdoor whirlpool and swimwear saunas
  • Kronplatz Guest Pass for South Tyrol public transport and specified local shuttles; garage parking
  • Suggested outings: family walks around San Vigilio, a suitable guided hike, a mountain-hut lunch or cycling chosen with the activity team. Additional rides, e-bikes and lift tickets are quoted separately.
  • Room and spa note: one shared living/sleeping space, a covered balcony and shower. The rooftop Sky Spa is reserved for ages 16 and over; your child uses the family facilities.
  • Onward journey: return towards your agreed airport or rail departure point. Allow a separate travel day and choose departure times around the drive.

View accommodation details

Helpful guides

Choose your outings before filling the diary

These guides help you judge distances, walking options and the balance between exploring and time at the hotel. Suggested visits and activities are separate from the example inclusions.

Route map and practical notes

From Malcesine to San Vigilio via Passo Gardena

Two overnight bases joined by the scenic drive through Val Gardena, Passo Gardena and Corvara. The airport markers are shown for orientation.

Arrival and car hire

Collect and return in Italy

  • Suggested gateway: Verona Airport, with car collection on arrival and return there after the mountain week.
  • Rail arrival: a Verona collection can be considered around depot hours.
  • Hire arrangements: 15 days included; category, collection times, deposit, excess and driver requirements are confirmed in your quotation.

Flights are booked separately. Choose a car with enough room for three people and their luggage; extra drivers and child seats are confirmed separately.

Between the bases

A scenic transfer day

  • Route: Malcesine → Torbole → Rovereto → A22 north → Bolzano Nord → Ponte Gardena → Ortisei → Selva di Val Gardena → Passo Gardena → Corvara → Badia → San Vigilio.
  • Stops: a stroll in Ortisei, views at the pass and lunch in Corvara.
  • Timing: allow the full day with stops, with the route checked against weather, traffic and mountain-road conditions.

The main-road alternative via the Puster Valley is useful if conditions do not suit the pass. We agree the route before departure.

Season and activities

A summer holiday outdoors

  • June to September: plan around both hotels’ opening dates and the mountain season. Higher paths depend on snow and weather.
  • July and August: expect busier lake roads, boats and cable cars; book key outings ahead.
  • Family cycling: select terrain and equipment around everyone’s experience. E-bike age and size requirements need checking.

Keep some days flexible for swimming and shorter walks. Water activities depend on lake conditions.

Local transport and meals

Leave the car when it helps

  • Malcesine: walk to the old town and harbour, then use seasonal boats for selected lake outings.
  • San Vigilio: use the Kronplatz Guest Pass for included public transport and specified shuttles. It is not an unlimited cable-car pass.
  • Dining: breakfast in Malcesine; three-quarter board in San Vigilio. Lunch away from Excelsior and additional drinks are separate.

We provide arrival and parking instructions for Castello and check the transport options for your actual dates.

More Northern Italy holidays

Change the balance of the journey

For more city time or a longer route through Veneto, these itineraries offer a different starting point. We assess rooms and the pace for your family separately.

Padova and Verona

Two cities

Padova & Verona

A shorter, car-free city holiday with art, gardens and restaurant evenings, linked by rail. We match the rooms and sightseeing to your family.
View this holiday

Plan this journey

Tell us what your family enjoys

Share your travel dates, your child’s age and the activities you like doing together. We will check the rooms and shape the lake days, scenic drive and mountain week around you.

The right accommodation

Room layouts checked

We confirm the exact Castello suite and third bed, and explain the shared Dolomites Lodge layout before you book.

Your family’s pace

Outings chosen together

Tell us about walking distances, cycling experience and how much beach, pool and hotel time you want.

A clear proposal

One land-only holiday

Receive a tailored itinerary and quotation covering accommodation, board and car hire, with optional experiences itemised separately.

Your travel enquiry

Tell us what you have in mind

Include your preferred dates, your child’s age and any particular room or activity priorities.

(Places, who’s travelling, special occasions, interests, anything you'd like me to know)
Personal support and financial protection
ExpertoItaly arranges land-only holidays with personal support before and during your trip. We are a Travel Trust Association member, Q8055. Read how your holiday payments are protected. Flights are booked separately.
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