The Italian Lakes and Lombardy Tour 2024

The tour begins in Milan, where we provide a private transfer from Malpensa or Linate airport to our hotel. You can check into the hotel during the day to rest up for the excitement ahead or get a head start on sightseeing and shopping. We meet in the early evening for aperitivi and the chance to watch the Milanese fashionistas doing la passeggiata (the Italian promenade) before we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local trattoria. Overnight: Milan (D)

We begin our tour in the fashion capital of Italy, but before we start considering Italian designer ‘investment’ pieces, we’ll spend some time acquainting ourselves with the centre of Milan and visiting some of the major attractions. Our morning walking tour will take us to visit the Duomo, the second-largest gothic church in the world, with its famous facade covered in sculptures. We will walk through one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in the world, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, and see La Scala, the opera house that is home to some of the most famous operas that have shaped musical history. In the afternoon, we visit the Museo Poldo Pezzoli, a fascinating house-museum showcasing one man’s extensive collection of art and artefacts. Overnight: Milan (B)

This morning, we will explore some of Milan’s lesser-known attractions, including the stunning Renaissance frescoes in San Maurizio, the Castello Sforzesco and the Brera district. The afternoon is free time for you to stock up your wardrobe or visit one or two of Milan’s art galleries or museums, whose collections rival those of Florence and Rome. Overnight: Milan (B)

We say goodbye to Milan this morning and head northeast towards the charming medieval town of Bergamo, our base for the next three nights. We stop at the Certosa di Pavia, one of the most impressive monasteries in Italy, built as a mausoleum for the Visconti family. We drive on to Bergamo in the later afternoon, checking into our hotel, right in the medieval centre. Overnight: Bergamo (D)

We’ll spend our first morning discovering the marvels of this hilltop city. Its gargantuan walls have preserved some stunning medieval and Renaissance buildings and art and spared it from being overwhelmed by tourism. After a guided walking tour in the morning, the afternoon is free for you to relax. The città alta (or high city) where we stay is the old medieval part of the city. Some people might like to walk or get the funicular down to the città bassa to see the more modern city that flourished in the early 1900s. Overnight: Bergamo (B, D)

This morning, we head out to the Franciacorta region, a little-known wine-growing region that produces excellent wine in the Champenoise style. We will visit an award-winning, family-run cantina to learn how they make Franciacorta before sitting down to a meal in the agriturismo, accompanied by a selection of their wines. After lunch, we meander along the shores of two of Italy’s lesser-known yet equally beautiful lakes, Iseo and Endine. We’ll follow the stunning lakeside back to Bergamo, stopping for coffee and photo breaks as required. Overnight: Bergamo (B,L)

Today, we say farewell to Bergamo and take the road towards Lake Maggiore. It’s not much of a detour to Monza, where a local guide will show us around the centre, visiting the Duomo and the Chapel of Theodelinda, home to the “Iron Crown of Lombardy,” created in the early Middle Ages. The Iron Crown is purportedly the oldest Royal insignia in Christendom and was used to crown the Holy Roman Emperor for centuries. After lunch, we will drive on to our new base in Verbania in time to enjoy “la passegiata” – an evening stroll – along the lakeshore. Overnight: Verbania (B,L)

In the 1600s, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, set out to make two islands on Lake Maggiore a floating cornucopia of style and beauty. The Borromeo family still owns the islands, and successive members have all contributed to their development over the centuries up to the 1950s. We’ll take a private boat to visit the ostentatiously baroque palace and gardens on Isola Bella. The Palace is so grand that even Napoleon was tempted to stay! We visit the Isola dei Pescatori for lunch. You’ll arrive back in Verbania in the middle of the afternoon and have some free time to look around the town. Overnight: Verbania (B,L)

Just a short drive from Lake Maggiore, Lago d’Orta is one of the smallest and possibly the most charming of Italian lakes. We will visit the main town on the lake, Orta San Giulio, with its narrow lanes, proud buildings and enchanting promenade that looks out onto the island of San Giulio. We’ll also see its Basilica, one of Piemonte’s most important Romanesque (9th century) style buildings. After lunch, we’ll take a lovely walk with views over the lake to visit the Sacro Monte, the shrine devoted to Saint Francis, before heading back to Lake Maggiore. Overnight: Verbania (B,L)

After a late start, it’s goodbye, Lago Maggiore, as we head for our new base on Lake Como, the lovely lakeside jewel of Bellagio. Our route takes us across the border into Switzerland so you’ll have the chance to judge whether the “Swiss” side of the lake is any better! We’ll stop for coffee in Lugano in Switzerland before returning to Italy for a lakeside lunch. We’ll drive towards Lake Como, taking the ferry to arrive at our new base in Bellagio. Overnight: Bellagio (B, L)

After a reasonably long day travelling yesterday, we have a more leisurely itinerary planned for today. In the morning, we catch the ferry to Villa Carlotta, the magnificent villa that looks back across the lake to Bellagio. The villa is now a museum, housing works by Canova, Tadolini and Hayez, amongst others. The enormous botanical gardens of Villa Carlotta are very varied, with formal Italian gardens, a rhododendron forest, azaleas and various exotic plants. The afternoon is free time for you to explore Bellagio further, take a walk to the pretty hamlet of Pescallo or visit the gardens of Villa Melzi. There are lots of options we can help you plan. Overnight: Bellagio (B)

You’ll leave the shores of Lake Como behind this morning to visit the Valtellina, famous for its pretty mountain scenery, cheese and wine production. You’ll have the chance to learn more about, and try, the latter when you visit a historic winery for a guided tour and degustation. You’ll stop for lunch at a local trattoria before returning to Bellagio in the afternoon. Overnight: Bellagio (B,L)

You begin the day in style with a private boat tour of the central lake, seeing many of the towns and villas from the best vantage point: the water. We’ll stop to visit Villa Balbianello. The magnificent gardens and the property’s position on the promontory make this the most spectacular spot on the entire lake. Our boat will drop us to the town of Varenna, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the windy streets and quaint shops. Our final group dinner in Bellagio. Overnight: Bellagio (B,D)

Our tour ends after breakfast today. Stay for another relaxing morning in Bellagio, or take the group transfer back to Milan’s Malpensa airport and Milano Centrale station. We are happy to help those who wish to stay in Italy organise the rest of their trip or book a transfer to other destinations. Overnight: NA (B)