Two friends from Essex have shared details of a whirlwind day trip to Lake Garda, Italy, which cost them just £120 each, including food, souvenirs, and transport. Megan Stiles, 23, and Romany Coppola, 22, flew from Stansted Airport to Verona on a 6.10am flight, paying £38 each for return tickets.
The pair drove to the airport and paid £30 for parking. After landing, they took an unlimited bus to Lake Garda for £10. They spent the morning exploring the lakeside town, buying souvenirs, and enjoying the sunshine. Lunch cost Megan £8 for a margarita pizza and Romany £13 for penne arrabbiata, with an additional £20 on drinks.
In the afternoon, they travelled to Verona on a £6 bus, wandering through the historic city before heading back to the airport for a 10.50pm flight home, arriving at Stansted just before midnight. Megan said the trip was “100% worth it” despite clocking up 25,000 steps.
Megan, from Colchester, said: “I’ve done a few day trips before, and saw how cheap it was to Verona so as a lover of pasta and pizza, I couldn’t turn it down. Overall, including souvenirs I spent about £120. It’s by far cheaper than me getting on a train to London and doing an activity.”
The friends initially planned only to visit Verona but decided to go to Lake Garda after hearing a fellow passenger mention it. Megan added: “I didn't expect to go to Lake Garda but that definitely made it the best experience. It was so fun to explore a new city, two in one in one day.” She has already booked to go back.
