This is the perfect vacation for travelers who want to learn more about the culture, food, and traditions of Northern Italy.
Departure, board your connecting flight to Venice.
Meet your Local assistant for private watertaxi transfers to your hotel followed by check in. In the afternoon join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception followed by dinner at a nearby local restaurant. This will also be an opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine. Hotel: Giorgione or similar (2 nights) Meals: Dinner
Our morning tour will start with a private cruise to explore the Venetian Lagoon, stop on the Murano Island, famous for its artistic glassware. Visit a glassblowing factory, where you will watch a demonstration of traditional Venetian glassblowing by master craftsmen. Our cruise will then continue to the heart of Venice where sightseeing takes you along canals lined with ornate palaces and bridges such as the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a walking tour starting from the Doge’s Palace followed by exploring St. Mark’s Square & St Mark’s basilica. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy Venice at your own pace, shop, or perhaps join an optional gondola ride. Hotel: Giorgione or similar
Meals: Breakfast Optional: Gondola
Today we drive through Italy’s northern Veneto region, stop in Padua to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and its art, including the large bronze works of Donatello. Our tour will continue to Verona, where Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers’ tormented immortalized couple of Romeo and Juliet. Verona enchants with its picturesque cobblestone streets, dozens of churches and world-renowned Arena Di Verona, the Roman Empire’s third largest amphitheater. Our day will end on Lake Garda, check in at your hotel followed by dinner.
Hotel: Park hotel or similar (2 nights Lake Garda)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you will gaze upon the largest lake in Italy. Lake Garda is located between Brescia and Verona, surrounded by the
Dolomites, lake was formed by ancient glaciers. Explore the charming resort of Sirmione, clustered around the 13th century Scaligers’ Castle on the southern end of the Lake.
Today we drive through the vineyards of Bardolino and Amarone wines, enjoy a wine tasting session followed by lunch at a local winery.
Hotel: Park hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch/wine tasting.
This morning we follow the Italian pre-Alps through Bergamo entering the Lombardy region to Lake Como. En route we stop in Milan, the Italian Capital of Fashion. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour starting at the Sforza Castle, then proceed to the Duomo Square and walk the Victor Emmanuel Galleria. Our tour will end infront of la Scala Opera house. Time at leisure for lunch or explore independently. In the afternoon we reach the spectacular shores of Lake Como. In the evening, choose from a selection of nearby restaurants for dinner. Hotel: Hotel Como or similar (2 nights Lake Como) Meals: Breakfast
Today enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of Lake Como to Tremezzo before crossing the Lake to the charming village of Bellagio, nestled amidst cypress groves on the penisnula between Lake Como and Lake Lecco. Walk along the lakeside and narrow alleyways, lined with craft shops, boutiques and cafés. Bellaggio also holds gorgeous gardens with manicured lawns and fountains at Villa Melzi or Villa Serbelloni. Time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon we cruise back to Como enjoying the best landscapes through picturesque villages and Luxurious Villas to fully experience Lake Como.
Hotel: Hotel Como or similar) Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Switzerland, just across the Italian boarder we enter the Ticino county of Switzerland driving along the shores of Lake Lugano. Upon arrival we take a walk through the charmingly pedestrian city center. Time at leisure to shop for traditional chocolates, watches or the famous Swiss and German cuckoo clocks. In the afternoon, we make our way to our lake-side hotel at Lake Maggiore. It’s an impressive lake, south of the Alps. It’s here that you take a leisurely stay, at our hotel in Stresa. This evening is at your leisure. STRESA: Hotel Regina Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Morning departure by boat to explore Lake Maggiore. Admire the beautiful Borromeo Islands on a private cruise. Stop on isola Bella to visit the Royal Palace and gardens of the Borromeo family. In the afternoon time at leisure in Stresa before our group farewell Dinner
STRESA: Hotel Regina Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Morning transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport for your return connecting flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.
