DEPARTURE FROM THE UNITED STATES
Thursday, May 22, 2025
DAY 1: Friday, May 23
Stresa
Late Morning: Arrive in Milan and transfer to the enchanting Stresa, pricipal 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: Saturday, May 24
Lake Maggiore
Morning: From our base in Stresa we’ll spend the day cruising 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. Walking Tour with a local licensed guide of the islands to Isola Madre (the Mother Island), Isola dei Pescatori (Island of the Fishermen) and Isola Bella (Beautiful Island).
Afternoon: Return to Stresa and indulge in leisurely activities and shopping at your own pace.
Evening: Dinner on your own.
DAY 3: Sunday, May 25
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: Monday, May 26
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 embodies 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: Tuesday, May 27
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: Wednesday, May 28
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: Thursday, May 29
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: Friday, May 30
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 of Torri del Benaco before returning to Verona.
Evening: Dinner on your own.
DAY 9: Saturday, May 31
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 gem in Verona.
Evening: Farewell dinner at local restaurant in Verona.
DAY 10: Sunday, June 1
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.
