We made it past the war fields of France, lush green mountains of Switzerland and shimmering lakes of northern Italy without landing a yellow card.

The nearest I’d been to a coach holiday was watching Channel 4’s Coach Trip, which involves passengers voting each other off with yellow cards en route through various European countries.

Thankfully, there was no voting or team tactics on our ten-day trip to Lake Garda.

I’d always wanted to go to Italy, and travelling through Europe made this trip even more exciting. By the end of the holiday we’d visited six countries!

We boarded our main coach in Dover and sailed to Calais, then travelled to a hotel in Reims. Early next day we set off for Lake Garda, via Switzerland.

I soaked up the ever-changing scenery, as drinks were served and occasional pre-recorded voice-overs informed us about places we passed through. It was a lovely, relaxing way to travel.

In Switzerland, the views took on a romantic beauty; snow-capped mountains peppered with chalets and grazing goats.

Passing through the Gotha tunnel, Swiss lake resorts merged into Italian waters. At last, we were approaching Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda.

We stayed in Riva at the elegant lakeside Oasi hotel. Surrounded by gorgeous views, it blends luxury and tranquillity, with a spa and pools a stone’s throw from the beach.

Riva’s waterfront squares, leafy park and grand architecture have an old European elegance. Walking along the promenade, with windsurfers dotted on the water, felt like being at the seaside – except with swans gliding by. Riva has dramatic scenery and, as we discovered, some dramatic weather. As we boarded a passenger boat for an evening trip to Limone, further along the coast, thunder rumbled and the sky darkened. Limone is gorgeous, with old lemon gardens along the shoreline. Winding lanes descend to a pretty harbour where restaurants overlook romantic lake views, but suddenly torrential rain sent streams cascading down the streets. Soaked, we headed back to Riva on the boat, as lightning tore through the sky and thunder rolled in across the lake.

Thankfully, the sun shone next morning and we drove through mountain tunnels around the lake to Lazise, a medieval walled town, then Sirmione, a Roman spa town with a fairytale moated castle, patrolled by ducks. A boat trip took us around the Isola Di Garda, home to an ornate mansion.

Buses run from Riva to Venice and Verona, but we’d booked day trips through our travel company, Consort.

I’d longed to visit Venice and, approaching its iconic Renaissance architecture, bathed in sunlight, felt like being on a film set. Walking into St Mark’s Square, flanked by the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco, moved me to tears.

Prices in the square’s swanky restaurants could bring tears to your eyes, too. We meandered through narrow backstreets weaving alongside canals, where passing gondolas added to the enchanting feel.

Emerging at the Rialto Bridge on the bustling Grand Canal, we headed to the Doge’s Palace, the seat of government in Venice for centuries, with a striking facade of medieval carvings. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs, we peered at the view that convicts snatched as they went to prison.

Heading back aboard the water taxi, I soaked up every drop of Venice’s breathtaking view. Next day we headed to the Dolomites. The coach snaked around hairpin bends, stopping in Bolzano, an upmarket town with designer shops and a bustling market. Further up the mountains, we took the little Renon Train to a chalet restaurant oozing Alpine charm – our waiter’s lederhosen reflected the region’s Austrian influence – then a short walk to see the ‘pyramids’, shaped over centuries by an erosion of limestone.

Our final trip was Verona, where Juliet’s balcony, at the Casa di Giulietta, is a must-see. Nestled in a little courtyard, it overlooks the famous Juliet statue and walls covered with love letters.

Wandering through the market, brimming with Romeo and Juliet fridge magnets, we reached the Piazza delle Erbe, flanked by splendid ancient architecture, then the Roman Arena where huge Madame Butterfly props were being lowered on to the spectacular ampitheatre.

In the soaring heat, I tried to imagine gladiators pacing in front of baying crowds. Outside, 21st-century gladiators were having photographs taken with tourists. All too soon it was time to leave Riva and head for Austria, via the Brenner Pass. Passing the Innsbruck Mountain, we entered Bavaria, with its breathtaking views of mountain churches and sprawling forests, and headed through Germany before reaching Lieges, Belgium, for our final night.

From Venetian splendour to Alpine charm, my Italian holiday was a dream. Back home, sipping Riva’s lemon liqueur, my thoughts wandered back to sunkissed groves on the shores of Lake Garda, boasting lemons the size of grapefruits.

- Emma travelled to Lake Garda with Consort Travel. - For details ring 0844 8440470 or visit consorttravel.com. - For more about the Oasi Hotel in Riva del Garda, visit oasi-hotel.it.