Fantastic North Lakes, Venice & Milan with Bernina Express 2026
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, one dinner in Bergamo, plus Venetian cicchetti and Franciacorta tasting lunch
Tour Details
Fantastic North Lakes, Venice & Milan with Bernina Express is a north‑Italy itinerary that combines three signature experiences: Venice’s atmosphere and aperitivo culture, the elegance of Italy’s great lakes, and one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys through the Alps.
You begin in Venice with an included airport transfer and settle into the Venice area for an easy start. The next day pairs guided highlights around St Mark’s with a classic spritz & cicchetti experience—an ideal introduction to Venetian flavour and rhythm, with time afterwards to wander canals and hidden corners.
From Venice you travel to Verona for guided sightseeing among Roman and medieval landmarks, then continue into Franciacorta for a light lunch and wine tasting—one of Italy’s most celebrated sparkling‑wine regions. Your base then shifts to Bergamo, setting you up for two lakes days: Lake Garda’s shoreline towns (including Sirmione with a boat tour to view the castle and shoreline) and Lake Como’s iconic pairing of Como and Bellagio, with scenic boat and ferry transfers across the water.
The final section is based in Milan, where you take the Bernina Express via St Moritz to Tirano—an alpine highlight of the trip—before finishing with a guided Milan walk through key city landmarks and a relaxed aperitivo-style local food experience. A transfer to the airport completes the itinerary.
Inclusions
- Transfer in Venice from airport to hotel
- Transfer out from Milan hotel to airport
- Guided tours in Venice, Verona and Milan
- Spritz & cicchetti experience in Venice (light lunch)
- Franciacorta light lunch and wine tasting
- Scenic boat/ferry transfers on Lake Como
- Boat tour in Sirmione (Lake Garda)
- Bernina Express ride
- Happy hour/aperitivo local food experience in Milan
- Hotel accommodation in Venice area, Bergamo and Milan with breakfasts
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Venice
Meet your driver at the airport and enjoy your included transfer to the hotel.
Check in at your hotel for a restful overnight stay.
Day 2 - Venice (B, Local Food Experience)
After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco and visit Venice’s iconic landmarks: the Palazzo dei Dogi and the famous Bridge of Sighs.
After the walking tour, relax with a spritz or prosecco, the perfect way to conclude your visit. Enjoy a taste of Venetian “cicchetti” (light lunch), a local tapas variation. Spend the afternoon exploring Venice’s canals at your leisure.
In the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3 - Venice > Verona > Franciacorta (light lunch and wine tasting) > Bergamo (B,L)
After breakfast, visit Verona, a city rich in history and culture. Explore Roman ruins, medieval structures, and Renaissance palaces on a guided tour. Don’t miss Juliet’s house and balcony, famous from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
Then, travel to Franciacorta, known for its ideal winemaking soil, for a light lunch with local food and wine.
After this, head to Bergamo for the overnight stay.
Day 4 - Bergamo > Sirmione > Desenzano del Garda > Bergamo (B, D)
After breakfast, set off for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Enjoy a panoramic tour along the west coast, passing the Brenta Dolomites and Moraine Hills, surrounded by lush vegetation.
In Sirmione, take a boat tour to admire its picturesque shores, the Castle, and the Grottoes of Catullus.
After free time for lunch, head to Desenzano del Garda with its elegant lakeside promenade and historical center that reflects traces of Venetian influence.
Dinner and overnight stay in Bergamo.
Day 5 - Bergamo > Como > Bellagio > Milan (B)
After breakfast, enjoy a brief visit to Como, renowned for its breathtaking views of Lake Como and the surrounding Alps.
From Como, you will embark on a boat to Bellagio,an elegant village nestled at the junction of the lake’s two southern branches, famous for its charming streets, luxury hotels, historic villas, and lush gardens.
Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where you will meet your driver and begin your journey to Milan.
Overnight stay in Milan.
Day 6 - Milan > Bernina Express > Milan (B)
After breakfast, meet your driver and travel to St. Moritz for some free time. Then, board the Bernina Express and enjoy one of the world’s most scenic train rides through the Swiss Alps. Marvel at alpine villages, tunnels, and breathtaking mountain views as you cross the Bernina Pass toward Tirano.
Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you back to Milan.
Day 7 - Milan (B, Local Food Experience)
After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, meet your local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city. Begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gate with medieval and Roman origins, and continue to Corso Venezia. Walk through the Giardini Indro Montanelli, pass by the Galleria d’Arte Moderna and continue along Viale Manzoni. From the outside, see the iconic Teatro alla Scala and admire the majestic façade of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo).
The tour ends at Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress, followed by a relaxing aperitivo. Free time before returning to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Milan.
Day 8 - Milan (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Arrivederci!
Tour Highlights
- Airport transfer in Venice and airport transfer out from Milan
- Guided Venice highlights plus spritz & cicchetti experience (light lunch)
- Guided tour of Verona, including classic landmarks and historic streets
- Franciacorta light lunch and wine tasting
- Lake Garda day featuring Sirmione and a boat tour
- Lake Como boat travel: Como → Bellagio, then ferry across the lake
- Bernina Express scenic rail journey (St Moritz → Tirano)
- Guided Milan walking tour plus happy hour/aperitivo local food experience
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged in three well-chosen bases to keep touring smooth: the Venice area at the start, Bergamo for easy access to Lake Garda and Lake Como, and Milan at the end for the Bernina Express day and city touring. Hotels are 4‑star standard and selected for comfort and practical access for transfers and sightseeing.
Hotel examples listed:
- Venice area: Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto) / Hotel Delfino 4-star (Mestre)
- Bergamo: Hotel Cappello D’Oro 4-star
- Milan: Hotel Concorde 4-star / Hotel Ramada Plaza 4-star
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Moderate: walking on cobblestones and bridges in Venice, steady walking in towns, boat/ferry boarding for lake transfers, and comfort with full sightseeing days paced between coach travel and guided walking.
Exclusions
- City tax (payable directly at hotels)
- Drinks not included (unless specifically part of included tastings/experiences)
- Lunches and dinners not explicitly included
- Personal expenses, tips/gratuities, travel insurance
General Notes
- Two departures are also available with a French-language option (May 4 and September 14, 2026, as marked)
- Lake experiences and boat transfers are subject to local operating conditions
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
Gallery
Ready to travel?
Tell us about your plans and our team will get back to you with everything you need to know about Fantastic North Lakes, Venice & Milan with Bernina Express 2026.
- We respond within 1 business day
- Your details are kept completely private
- Happy to speak by phone
- Australia-based team, Italy experts
A Week In Venice, Florence & Rome
Travel from Florence through the Chianti hills, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, on a day trip to Badia di Passignano; the hilly landscape, basking in golds and greens, is filled with
Italian Lakes Discovery Tour 2026
Explore Northern Italy’s Lakes on a 9-Day Small Group Tour!
Fantastic Milan with Bernina Express, Liguria & Venice 2026
An 8-day small-group journey from Milan to Venice featuring the Bernina Express, Ligurian coast gems, Cinque Terre rail exploration, Ferrari heritage, and Modena balsamic tasting.
Veneto & Venice Tour 2026
Journey through the Veneto in 2026 – Venice, Vineyards and Villas
