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Doctors Z and Aivee Teo take their family on a holiday along the South of France and Italy
Our annual time for the Aesthetics & Anti-aging Medical World Congress brought Aivee and me to the second smallest principality in the world after the Vatican. Touch down Monaco—home to the rich and famous, where many celebrities come to roost in their holiday homes during summer. We decided to bring the kids along with us because they had never been to that part of the world, and it was the perfect opportunity for a getaway with the family!
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The conference was in April and by that time, warmer temperatures had arrived in Monte Carlo. Umbrellas were exchanged for parasols and the yachts began to congregate in Port Hercules once again. It was the start of the season across the Riviera, and the amazing climate of Monte Carlo makes it a prime destination throughout the year.
After a quick two days of intense learning at the conference, we then drove to Cap-Ferrat in the French Riviera to start our holiday proper. The Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat—a Four Seasons Hotel—is one of our favourite hotels. It is an exquisite seaside retreat housed in a palatial mansion on the Cote D’Azur between Nice and Monaco with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Aivee and I were thrilled to be back again and this time with our kids. It brought a whole different dimension to our stay and we found ourselves doing more child-friendly activities. We took long hikes and went on boat cruises along the river as a family.
After a couple of days of relaxing and enjoying the view and beauty of the south of France, we started our road trip to Italy. Our next stop: Lago di Garda.
Most people have heard about Lago di Como but why don’t we hear more about Lago di Garda? It is Italy’s largest lake located in its northern part, about halfway between Brescia and Verona, with Venice to the East and Milan to the West on the edge of the Dolomites mountain range. Blessed with a benign climate and diversity of landscape, it remains curiously uncelebrated, overshadowed by Como with its famous gardens and villas, even though Garda has so much to offer
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This 370-square-kilometre ladle-shaped expanse of water is a wonderful holiday destination. The trick to enjoy Garda is to find a nice, congenial base and then explore the lake and discover what each little town has to offer.
Aivee did her research and decided to book us in Villa Arcadio, situated on the hills of Salo, overlooking the lake. It was simply stunning. When our car turned into the driveway, the sight of the hotel took our breath away. The hotel is immersed in lush greenery and olive groves on a hillside just a few kilometres from the centre of town, with an amazing view of Lake Garda. Neat lines of olive trees and old vines stand on grass terracing, saluting guests as they pass.
The hotel was a derelict monastery that was lovingly restored to a very high standard. It was acquired and converted by an entrepreneurial family and converted into a beautiful modern boutique hotel. It must have been a labour of love as it seems to ooze out of every brick. The son, who is now the general manager, brought us around the hotel and passionately explained the history of the building. It is filled with beautiful artefacts that give the place a somewhat nostalgic feel.
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The staff were impeccably polite, welcoming and efficient. Villa Arcadio has its own restaurant where you can discover delicious local dishes and the best of international cuisine are served. Our breakfast was amazingly generous and the food offered during lunch and supper was one of the best we had ever tasted. It was sublime.
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The kids enjoyed the simple pleasures of blowing dandelions, running and playing football along the lake with the hotel’s golden retriever. When the waters were calm, our boat rides in the lake were simply majestic. Lago di Garda captivated us with its vastness and splendour.
Sooner than we had hoped, the time came for us t o leave and hie off to Milan—into the hustle and bustle of city life. As we drove out of paradise, we looked back longingly again at Garda, the lake that had captured our hearts and given our family so many wonderful memories that we will surely treasure for years to come.
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