What makes a Lake Garda school trip experience truly memorable? Is it the destinations, the activities or the moments students share along the way?
From exploring the canals of Venice to enjoying the thrills of Gardaland and discovering picturesque lakeside towns, Lake Garda offers an exciting combination of culture, adventure and unforgettable memories.
But rather than telling you what makes this Italian destination so special, we thought we’d let someone who knows it best share her experience.
Sue, a teacher at St Simon Stock Catholic School and a long-standing Activ4 client, shares her experiences of organising school trips to Lake Garda, including highlights from her most recent visit in 2026.
A Teacher’s Perspective: Why Lake Garda?
By Sue, St Simon Stock Catholic School
Having persuaded Mr Scott to make a contribution to the Activ4 newsletter it is only right that I now make a contribution having worked with Activ4 for many years now. Thank you for your friendship and support in putting visits together not just for me but all other your other clients. Your friendly staff make planning such visits a joy and so easy. Having travelled with other companies before finding you, ‘You are simply the best’.
Over the years I have visited Lake Garda either with a school trip or for my personal holiday either with friends or as a solo traveller.
Having thought long and hard about where I would take students to stay and what to offer in terms of activities and excursions, I came up with a plan working with Activ4 and the agent in Italy.
Over the years this has been tweaked and updated we have stayed around the Lake always in amazing hotels and sometimes in apartments at the Gasparina Village and the Belvedere Village. Our last visit in 2026 was to the Belvedere Village with amazing apartments, two swimming pools to choose from and the food was a mix of traditional Italian food and exactly what school children like to eat!
On arriving at the Belvedere Village we enjoyed some freshly made amazing pizzas followed by an afternoon at the complex swimming pools making friends with young children from other nations, the language barrier was non-existent! We visited Venice with a walking tour which was followed by a visit to Murano, for lunch far cheaper than eating in Venice itself, students enjoyed choosing their own restaurant and sampling lots of delicious pasta and pizza dishes. When visiting an island famous for glass a glass blowing demonstration is a must it was so fascinating to see the skill involved in making such intricate ornaments.
After a well-earned rest we spent the next day at Gardaland, with the thrills of the roller coasters and water rides with the evening in Bardolino after dinner at our accommodation.We then explored Lake Garda visiting the local market in Lazise, before going to Malcesine, for ice cream before boarding the Lake ferry to Limone where we had time for lunch and exploring before the rain came just as we boarded another ferry to Riva Del Garda to explore in the sunshine before re-joining our coach to travel back to our apartments witnessing a Lake thunderstorm while getting ready for dinner which was followed by a quiz. Our final full day was spent at Movie World, a small theme park, and a visit to the Caneva Water Park. After dinner at the request of the students we returned to Bardolino for the evening to shop and eat ice cream.
On day 6 after breakfast, we cleared our apartments and made our way to Bardolino for lunch which for most consisted of more pasta and pizza and followed by yet more ice-cream! Before making our way to Milan to get our flight home eventually arriving back at school at 1:00am on what would be day 7.
Over the years I have had many parents and staff visit Lake Garda following a school trip, with students persuading them to take them back for a family holiday. Recently one of the deputy heads at school has visited Lake Garda for two consecutive summers and my head is joining me for part of my holiday I Bardolino in July/August 2027!
Thank you to Activ4 and Pia in Italy for over the years working with my ideas and facilitating such amazing and memorable visits for my students. Looking forward to our tour in 2028!
So, Steve in your words I do hope that you are reading this contribution.
Sue
St Simon Stock Catholic School
school tours italy lake garda
Inspired by Sue’s Lake Garda Adventures?
Sue’s Lake Garda school trip experience highlights just how much this beautiful Italian destination has to offer, from exciting theme parks and cultural excursions to picturesque lakeside towns.
At Activ4, we work closely with teachers to create bespoke school trips to Italy, tailoring accommodation, activities and itineraries to suit each group’s interests, requirements and budget.
Could Lake Garda be the destination for your next school adventure?
Explore Our School Trips to Italy or Get in Touch to Start Planning Your Lake Garda School Trip.
