1. Highlight Experiences
I chose this itinerary because it was advertised as the “Best of the Italian Lakes”, but unfortunately the time by the lakes themselves felt far too limited. The majority of the schedule was spent in towns such as Bergamo, Modena, and Verona. While these places were pleasant, they were not the focus I expected when booking a lakes-themed holiday. This mismatch between what was promoted and what was delivered was disappointing. In addition, the farewell dinner felt flat and muted, with no entertainment or sense of occasion to round off the trip.
2. Dining
Dining was another area where the experience fell short. The included meals did not reflect the richness of Italian cuisine, and at times it felt as though cost-cutting was the priority. For example, at the “Be My Guest” experience, I had requested no red meat and was given only a small slice of frittata as my main course. When I asked about this, the explanation was that Trafalgar had decided not to provide chicken alternatives, citing increased costs—a disappointing and unconvincing reason. On another included dinner, I was served burnt chicken. Overall, the quality and variety of meals did not do justice to Italian food, nor did they meet the standards I expected from Trafalgar.
3. Accommodation
Accommodation was one of the biggest let-downs. The tour began well with Hotel Simplon in Baveno, which was comfortable and aligned with expectations. However, the subsequent five-night stay at Hotel Paiano was very disappointing. Most guests, including myself, were placed in serviced apartments rather than hotel rooms. These apartments felt more like dated three-star motels, with 1980s-style decor and very poor cleaning standards—the floors were dusty and covered in fluff, and cleaning was only superficially improved after complaints. It was disheartening to see some guests in proper hotel rooms while many others were relegated to these apartments. The overall impression was that Trafalgar had promised hotel accommodation but delivered something sub-standard.
4. Loyalty Recognition
No gift or acknowledgment was offered for repeat customers. This lack of recognition was disheartening, especially given the loyalty to the brand.
5. Optional Experiences
Finally, many of the optional experiences seemed like they should have been included as part of the base itinerary—especially the walking tours with local guides. These added little beyond what I would expect in a standard guided tour. Having to pay extra for what felt like “basic inclusions” left me questioning the value of the package.
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Overall Experiences ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
While there were some enjoyable moments, overall, the tour did not deliver on the promise of showcasing the best of the Italian Lakes. Between limited lake time, uninspiring dining, sub-standard accommodation, and optional experiences that felt like inclusions, the trip did not meet Trafalgar’s usual reputation for quality. I hope this feedback helps in reassessing the design and delivery of this itinerary, so future guests can enjoy a more authentic, well-rounded experience.
