Lakes

Legendary Landscapes, Fairytale Beauty and Utter Enchantment
DATES 2027 - COMING SOON
Overview

A place of magical landscapes, the Italian Lakes have for centuries been the fairytale refuge of Europe’s princes and princesses as well as Hollywood royalty like George Clooney. The shores of the Lake District shimmer with extraordinary charm…from enchanting towns & quaint villages to mountaintop castles & storybook fortresses to elegant villas & rustic ports to Roman ruins & Renaissance gardens. The watery paradises of Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Garda are like a siren’s song, calling with an irresistible allure of elegance, simplicity, nature and a touch of the fantastic.

Highlights
  • Stresa, the “Pearl” of Lake Maggiore
  • Majestic Lake Maggiore
  • Dramatic Lake Como
  • Breezy & beautiful Lake Garda
  • Sacro Monte di Orta, one of Italy’s oldest “Sacred Mountains” and a Unesco World Heritage Site
  • Medieval castles and Renaissance gardens
  • Private boat ride on Lake Como to Villa del Balbianello
  • Chic hillside village of Bellagio
  • Ferry ride to picturesque village of Varenna
  • Fairy-tale town of Sirmione
  • Bergamo and its historic Città Alta, a completely intact walled city
  • Romantic Verona, picturesque setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
  • Wine tasting at a renowned Amarone winery in Verona, Allegrini

The Italian Lakes and Bellagio, Bergamo & Verona

Itinerary and pricing

DEPARTURE FROM THE UNITED STATES
2027

DAY 1: DATES 2027 TBD
Stresa

Late Morning: Arrive in Milan and transfer to the enchanting Stresa, principal town of Lake Maggiore. Since Lake Maggiore is lesser known and less visited than the larger lakes, you’ll be better able to appreciate the allure of the Lakes as it has always existed throughout time. Check-in to your first-class hotel, your home for the next three nights from where we’ll explore the secret treasures of the western Lake District.

Afternoon: Enjoy an orientation walk of Stresa, a famous 19th century resort with many artisanal shops, palazzi and a beautiful lakefront promenade with glorious views of the lake and islands.

Evening: Welcome reception.

DAY 2: DATES 2027 TBD
‍Lake Maggiore

Morning: From our base in Stresa we’ll spend the day cruising amongst though and visiting the famous Borromean Islands. Set along the southern flank of the Alps, Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake and, also, the most rugged with vast areas practically in the wild. We’ll spend the day touring the famous Borromean Islands, named after the Borromeo family, who to this day still own the islands as well as the fishing rights to the lake. A walking tour of three islands with a local licensed guide encompasses Isola Madre (the Mother Island), Isola dei Pescatori (Island of the Fishermen) and Isola Bella (Beautiful Island).

Afternoon: Return to Stresa to enjoy leisure time or shopping at your own pace.

Evening: Dinner on your own.

DAY 3: DATES 2027 TBD
Monte Sacro di Orta

Morning: Visit to Sacro Monte di Orta, one of Italy’s oldest “Sacred Mountains” and a Unesco World Heritage site. This mountain top shrine contains beautiful chapels, each with incredible life-size terracotta figures depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

Afternoon: Free time to enjoy Orta San Giulio., followed by a short boat ride to the enchanted Island of San Giulio with its old Benedictine monastery.

Evening: Dinner on your own.

DAY 4: DATES 2027 TBD
Bellagio & Lake Como

Morning: Departure for Lake Como. Located in the foothills of the Alps and nestled like a fjord in a cradle of mountains sloping down to the water’s edge, Lake Como is the most dramatic of the Italian lakes. Boasting the chic hillside village of Bellagio, with its rainbow-colored villas and the old stone fishing villages of Bellano and Varenna, popular with culture & nature buffs, as well as a host of medieval castles and elaborate Renaissance gardens, Lake Como epitomizes a low-key glamor, history and tradition. We will visit the town of Como with its beautiful cathedral, the ancient town hall and the lakefront promenade.

Afternoon: Free time for lunch and shopping in Como. After lunch, check-in for three nights at your first-class Bellagio hotel.

Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 5: DATES 2027 TBD
Bellagio & Lake Como

Morning: Departure by private boat to the stunning Villa Balbianello, located on the tip of a small wooded peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como. Villa Balbianello is famous for its beautiful terraced gardens and picturesque villa that has served as the setting for several movies.

Afternoon: By boat, we will return for lunch in Bellagio.

Evening: Dinner on your own.

DAY 6: DATES 2027 TBD
Bellagio & Lake Como

Morning: Today we will navigate Lake Como by ferry. Our first destination will be the western shore town of Tremezzo, stopping to visit Villa Carlotta and its splendid botanical garden.

Afternoon: By ferry we will also reach the picturesque village of Varenna, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Walking tour of Varenna will include the Church of S. Giorgio and Riva Grande and free time to explore Varenna on your own before returning to Bellagio.

Evening: Dinner on your own.

DAY 7: DATES 2027 TBD
Lake Como / Bergamo / Verona

Morning: Departure from Lake Como to Verona with en route visit to Bergamo. Our expert local guide will lead us on a walking tour of the old upper town of Bergamo known as Città Alta, a completely intact walled city with one of the most beautiful main squares in all of Italy, Piazza Vecchia, surrounded by a breathtaking collection of medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Afternoon: After free time in Bergamo for lunch and some shopping, we will depart for Verona and check-in for 3 nights at our first-class hotel.

Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 8: DATES 2027 TBD
Lake Garda

Morning: Departure for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Walking Tour of fairy-tale Sirmione, with its jumble of alleyways and picturesque houses. Beyond the town center, there is a beautiful wooded park, which stretches out to the tip of the peninsula and the remains of an ancient Roman villa, known as the Grotte di Catullo, dating back to about 60 BC. Boat ride to one of the most fascinating locations of the whole of Lake Garda, Punta San Vigilio.

Afternoon: After lunch, our day will continue to the off-the-beaten path gem Torri del Benaco before returning to Verona.

Evening: Dinner on your own.

DAY 9: DATES 2027 TBD
Verona

Morning: Walking tour of Verona and its main sights including the famous Arena. Optional visit to Giardino Giusti, Verona’s beautiful historic garden.

Afternoon: Time at leisure to explore Verona on your own. Suggested visit to the Giusti Garden, a lush hidden paradise in Verona.

Evening: Farewell dinner at local restaurant in Verona.

DAY 10: DATES 2027 TBD
End of Tour

Morning: Private Transfer to the Verona, Venice or Milan airports.

 

 


Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Please Note: You must be in good physical condition to sign up for this trip. Though this is not considered a physically challenging trip, there is a considerable amount of walking uphill, downhill, walking over uneven pavement, and standing for extended periods of time.

Tour Price Includes:
  • Beautiful, elegant accommodations at 4/5-star hotels (room upgrades available upon request):
    Stresa, Lake Maggiore—3 nights
    Bellagio, Lake Como—3 nights
    Verona, Veneto—3 nights
  • Guided Walking tours on Stresa, Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Bergamo, Verona
  • Wine tasting
  • Private boat on Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
  • Ferry rides in Lake Como and Lake Garda
  • Entrance fees
  • Private transportation throughout the itinerary—(except for airport transfers)
  • Hotel and city taxes
  • Gratuities for drivers, guides and restaurants
Meals As Follows:
  • Breakfast daily
  • 3 Lunches:
    • Isola dei Pescatori on Lake Maggiore
    • Restaurant In Bellagio
    • Punta San Vigilio Lake Garda
  • 1 Aperitivo:
    • Welcome Aperitivo in Stresa, Lake Maggiore
  • 4 Dinners:
    • Dinner in Stresa, Lake Maggiore
    • Dinner in Bellagio, Lake Como
    • Dinner at local restaurant in Verona
    • Farewell dinner at renowned winery outside Verona
  • Flights
  • Meals and drinks not specified
  • Airport transfers (we can coordinate transfers so you can share with other tour travelers)
  • Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)

Tour cost based on double occupancy
Payable with credit card (Mastercard or Visa)

10 days/9 nights in The Fascinating Italian Lakes and Verona

Price per person:
$ TBD

Single Supplement
+ $ TBD

All aspects of the tour will be coordinated by Giovanna Chiti of Discover my Italy

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