Northern Italy Adventure

Meet us in Milan, Italy, to begin your holiday.

Upon arrival check in to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight: Just Hotel Lomazzo or Hotel Villa Borghi or similar, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore area

Meals included: None

Today, enjoy a full day in one of the most spectacular Italian landscapes, Lake Maggiore.

Wedged between mountains, Lake Maggiore is a splendid glacial basin fed by rivers on the Italian side of the Alps. This breathtaking alpine location offers the best of both water sports and mountain activities. It is part of the scenic 'Italian Lakes District' that skirts the border of Switzerland, including Lake Como and Lake Garda. Here you’ll find spectacular scenery and alpine ambience.

Explore the famous town of Stresa, the pearl of Lake Maggiore, an elegant town that has attracted writers and artists for more than a century. Its beautiful countryside, architectural gems and mild climate combine to make Stresa one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy.

Lake Maggiore is sprinkled with the intriguing Borromeo Islands, still owned by the influential family who maintain palaces on two of them. Enjoy a guided tour of the islands. Take a boat ride to Isola Bella, or Beautiful Island, which has an elegant and sprawling Baroque palace (entry included) and terraced gardens called the Borromeo Palace (entry included). In the heart of Borromeo, the Galleria Berthier is a mosaic of over 130 paintings, including masterpieces.

Continue by boat to discover the Isola dei Pescatori, or Island of the Fishermen, which is the only one with a year-round population of 32 people.

There is much to appreciate in the area's cuisine, which takes cues from Italy, France and Switzerland. This is a rice-growing region, so you’ll find creamy risotto just as commonly as pasta. They produce excellent cheese and noteworthy wines. And of course freshwater lake seafood figures prominently on the plate, though mountain fare slips into the kitchen as well.

Today, travel approximately 140 kilometres.

Overnight: Just Hotel Lomazzo or Hotel Villa Borghi or similar, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore area

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour (approximately 3 hours). Celebrated as the Italian capital of fashion and design, Milan is rich in art, history and culture. The tour begins from Sforza Castle before walking towards the Duomo (entrances not included). On the way, admire elegant buildings along two of Milan’s iconic streets - the Via Dante and Via Dei Mercanti. Duomo Square is the heart of Milan and one of its most significant Gothic-style monuments.

From Duomo Square, the tour continues through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping mall and a major landmark of Milan, before arriving at the Piazza Della Scala, home to one of the most famous theatres in the world; La Scala (entrance not included).

In the late afternoon, you will travel to the Lake Como or Lake Maggiore area. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and then enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Just Hotel Lomazzo or Hotel Villa Borghi or similar, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore area

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, begin the drive to Lake Como. Surrounded by beautiful villages, it is the most spectacular of the region’s three major lakes.

Upon arrival in Como, enjoy some time at leisure in this beautiful city known for the Gothic cathedral and a waterfront promenade.

Enjoy a scenic funicular ride. A very popular excursion from the city of Como to the village of Brunate, this fun train made its first journey in 1894 and still does today, every 30 minutes. It links the city with an extremely atmospheric panoramic point.

The village of Brunate is situated approximately 700 metres above sea level and is a holiday destination for noble families from the Como and Milan areas. From the lookout you can see the outline of the historic centre, the ancient Roman castrum and a view over the Alps and the Brianza Plain.

Continue your journey to the beautiful city of Lugano, which lies in a bay on the northern side of Switzerland's Lake Lugano. This lake sits right on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The lake has several different branches and is surrounded by mountains. Enjoy time at leisure in Lugano and its traffic-free historic town centre, which offers amazing lake and mountain views.

Today, travel approximately 60 kilometres.

Overnight: Just Hotel Lomazzo or Hotel Villa Borghi or similar, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore area

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, head to Verona. On the way, stop in the city of Bergamo, known for its rich history, opera, a characteristic landscape and a medieval town perched on a hill. The city's ancient core is surrounded by the Venetian Walls, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching Bergamo Alta (High Bergamo) is an experience of pure amazement: use the many staircases scattered around the city or the funicular railways that cross the 15th-century walls. Through boutiques, delicatessens, century-old cafes, trattorias and wine bars.

Afterwards, continue to beautiful Lake Garda, the largest of Italian lakes, surrounded by mountains and well known for its water sports and outdoor activities. It has both old charming villages and modern-day towns. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the small and well-known resort towns located around Lake Garda: Sirmione. Sirmione's small historic town is located on the tip of a long peninsula protruding from the southern shore of the lake. It also has thermal springs and was a spa destination even in Roman times.

Travel today approximately 220 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel BW CTC Verona or similar, Verona area

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, head to the historic city of Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage city and the home of Romeo and Juliet. A place of history, culture, music, architecture and high society.

The city of Verona was founded in the 1st century BC. Verona has preserved a remarkable number of monuments from the medieval and Renaissance periods, and represents an outstanding example of a military stronghold.

Enjoy a half-day guided tour and see the main historical sights, like Juliet’s balcony and the majestic Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra, built in AD 30. It is still in use and serves as a venue for large-scale opera performances. It is one of the best-preserved ancient structures of its kind. In ancient times, the arena's capacity was nearly 30,000 people.

In the afternoon, continue your adventure travelling to Bardolino, a picturesque village on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Bardolino is celebrated for the production of oil and wine and is the favourite destination for those seeking a little peace and relaxation. Enjoy a wine tasting (3 wine glasses) in one of the famous Bardoino wine cellars.

Today, travel approximately 60 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel BW CTC Verona or similar, Verona area

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, head to one of the unique Italian regions, the Dolomites, part of the majestic Alps.

This region bursts with natural beauty and diversity. The area offers the majestic Dolomite mountain peaks and excellent cuisine, a colourful mix of down-to-earth fare and Italian specialties.

Experience a landscape paradise, unparalleled in all seasons, a holiday region that attracts with its endless recreational activities.

Head to Pordoi Pass, one of the four passes of the Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, or the Great Dolomites Road, built at the beginning of the 20th century. Take the cable car to reach the famous Terrace of Dolomites. The trip by cable car and the view from the Sass Pordoi, the Terrace of the Dolomites at almost 3,000 metres above sea level, are ever-lasting holiday memories. From the top, you can enjoy the stunning 360-degree view of the whole Alpine Range for as far as the eye can see.

In the late afternoon, head to your accommodation in the Cortina D’ampezzo area.

Today, travel approximately 260 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel Passo Tre Croci or similar, Cortina D’ampezzo area

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, head to Brunico, nestled in the verdant Pusteria Valley, surrounded by breathtaking hiking trails and full of medieval alleys. Explore the old town and stunning mountain scenery. In the afternoon, stop by the picturesque Lake Braies. Located at an altitude of about 1,500 m above sea level in the picturesque Alta Pusteria, this mountain lake captivates with its turquoise-green colour and the imposing Seekofel massif (2,810 metres) that surrounds it.
 
Afterwards, visit the Bunker Museum (entry included). Immerse yourself in the mysterious past of a bunker that held strategic significance during the Cold War. Experience the history and atmosphere of this unique location, once designed to thwart a potential invasion from the Eastern Block.
 
In the late afternoon head to Cortina D’ampezzo. The the 'Queen of the Dolomites' sits in an ample valley surrounded by high peaks, and is one of the most famous mountain localities in the world. Host of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games and defined solely in terms of chic and ski, Cortina is a glitzy, glam symbol both on the Italian and international scenes. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this unique location.
 
Today, travel is approximately 130 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel Passo Tre Croci or similar, Cortina D’ampezzo area

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, continue your adventure to admire the beautiful Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or Three Peaks of Lavaredo, three distinctive battlement-like peaks in the Dolomites. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps. Enjoy a panoramic view of the massive rocky prominences rising up from the rolling scenery.

Continue to Misurina Lake, the hidden pearl of the Dolomites. Misurina is a beautiful village, known mainly for its lake, located at an altitude of 1,755 metres above sea level. Due to its special climatic characteristics and clean air, this place is extremely popular. Enjoy a relaxing walk around the lake through meadows green forests and exceptional landscapes and views.

Today, travel is approximately 30 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel Passo Tre Croci or similar, Cortina D’ampezzo area

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, enjoy a full-day tour exploring the Prosecco Hills in the Valdobbiadene area, surrounded by the captivating foothills of the Alps.

Enjoy a guided tour of the picturesque CastelBrando, or Brando Castle, a medieval castle situated on a dolomite limestone rock at an elevation of 370m above sea level. This majestic fortification, one of the largest and oldest in Europe, occupies a unique spot halfway between the captivating city of Venice and the breathtaking Dolomites. Nestled between the charming villages of Cison di Valmarino and Follina, CastelBrando is a true historical treasure immersed in one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes.

In the afternoon, continue to Treviso, also known for being the original production area of Prosecco wine, and is thought to have been the origin of the popular Italian dessert, tiramisu. Enjoy a beautiful walk with your tour Leader along the medieval walls or along the banks of the Sile River, just outside the city.

In the late afternoon, arrive at your hotel in the Venice area and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today, travel is approximately 70 kilometres.

Overnight: Hotel Holiday or similar, Mestre, Venice area

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Tronchetto Pier in Venice, where you will board a water bus to Venice city centre.

Take the time to admire the beautiful buildings and architecture as you cruise the canals. Upon arrival, be met by a local guide at Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) and begin your guided tour of Venice (approximately 2 hours).

The tour starts at the iconic St Mark’s Square, regarded as one of the most intricate and beautiful town squares in the world, and the hub of Venetian life. Surrounding the square, you will see the famous St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bell Tower (entrances not included). The church (St Mark’s Basilica) was built to house the body of Saint Mark, which was transported from Alexandria in AD 828. Inside the basilica, you can admire over 8,000 square metres of glittering Byzantine mosaics. The tour will continue onwards to Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge in the Grand Canal and an icon of the city. Upon conclusion of the tour, you may enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the beautiful city of Venice before being transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Holiday or similar, Mestre, Venice area

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, at the appropriate time, enjoy a final breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your own onward travel arrangements from Venice, Italy.

Meals included: Breakfast