Fantastic North Lakes, Venice and Milan with Bernina Express
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, selected dinners and local food experiences
Why we've chosen this tour
A compact northern Italy itinerary with a strong mix of lakes, wine country, Venice, Milan and a headline alpine rail journey.
Is this tour for you?
Best suited to travellers who want an escorted small group format, included transfers and scenic variety without a long trip duration.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
This is northern Italy at its most generous: lagoon light in Venice, Roman and Renaissance layers in Verona, sparkling wine country in Franciacorta, lake towns with mountain views, and Milan’s elegant cultural heart. The pace is compact but varied, with guided sightseeing balanced by time to enjoy waterside promenades, old town streets and the rituals that make each region feel distinct.
The Bernina Express gives the journey its alpine flourish, climbing from St Moritz through high mountain scenery before descending towards Tirano. It is a beautiful contrast to the lakes and cities: less about ticking off sights, more about watching the landscape shift from Italian elegance to Swiss alpine drama in a single day.
Arrival and departure transfers are included, along with guided touring in Venice, Verona and Milan, scenic boat transfers, a Franciacorta tasting lunch and a Milan aperitivo.
Inclusions
- Transfer from Venice airport to the hotel
- Transfer from the Milan hotel to the airport
- Guided tours in Venice, Verona and Milan
- Spritz or prosecco with Venetian cicchetti
- Light lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta
- Lake Garda and Lake Como sightseeing with scenic boat transfers
- Bernina Express rail journey
- Milan aperitivo with one drink included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Venice
Arrive in Venice and meet your driver for the included airport transfer to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Venice
After breakfast, transfer to Piazza San Marco for a guided introduction to Venice’s landmark sights, including the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards, enjoy a spritz or prosecco with cicchetti, then spend the afternoon exploring the canals and laneways at leisure before returning to the hotel.
Day 3 - Venice, Verona, Franciacorta and Bergamo
Travel to Verona for a guided visit through Roman, medieval and Renaissance heritage, including the area around Juliet’s house. Continue to Franciacorta for a light lunch with local food and wine, then proceed to Bergamo for the overnight stay.
Day 4 - Lake Garda
Set out for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Visit Sirmione and take a boat tour past its shoreline, castle and the Grottoes of Catullus, then continue to Desenzano del Garda with time to enjoy its lakeside promenade and historic centre. Dinner and overnight in Bergamo.
Day 5 - Bergamo, Como, Bellagio and Milan
Travel towards Lake Como for time around Como and Bellagio, combining lakeside towns, mountain-backed views and scenic transfers before continuing to Milan for the evening.
Day 6 - Milan, Bernina Express and Milan
Meet your driver after breakfast and travel to St Moritz for free time before boarding the Bernina Express. Cross alpine villages, tunnels and mountain scenery over the Bernina Pass towards Tirano, where your driver will meet the group for the return journey to Milan.
Day 7 - Milan
Enjoy free time in Milan before a guided afternoon walk through Porta Venezia, Corso Venezia, the Giardini Indro Montanelli, Viale Manzoni, La Scala, the exterior of the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco. Finish with an included aperitivo, then spend the evening at leisure.
Day 8 - Milan
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Tour Highlights
- Included arrival transfer from Venice airport and departure transfer from Milan hotel to airport
- Guided sightseeing in Venice, Verona and Milan
- Spritz or prosecco with Venetian cicchetti
- Light lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta
- Lake Garda and Lake Como scenery, including boat transfers
- Bernina Express alpine rail journey
- Milan aperitivo with one drink included
- Small group format with 25 passengers or fewer
Accommodation
Planned hotels include B&B Hotel Venezia Laguna or Hampton by Hilton Venice Isola Nuova in the Tronchetto area of Venice, Hotel Cappello d’Oro in Bergamo, and Hotel Concorde Milan or Ramada Plaza Milano in Milan, or similar hotels.
Please note, the room types are standard and the hotels are touring hotels. If you want to upgrade to a superior or deluxe room please let us know and we can give you a quote.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This escorted itinerary includes guided walking tours, time on cobbled streets and boarding scenic boats and trains. Travellers should be comfortable walking at a steady pace and managing luggage during transfers.
Exclusions
- City tax is not included and is payable directly at hotels.
- Drinks are not included with meals unless specifically noted as part of an experience.
- Personal expenses, optional experiences and travel insurance are not included.
Important Notes
- Prices are per person.
- The 7 June 2027 departure is connected with a special event period in Milan; final pricing should be confirmed before booking.
- English, Portuguese and Spanish departures are available
- Hotels and itinerary details may change and should be reconfirmed before booking.
- The room types are standard and the hotels are touring hotels. If you want to upgrade to a superior or deluxe room please let us know and we can give you a quote.
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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