NEW! Northern Lakes, Venice, Milan with Bernina Express & Liguria 11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1:

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:

After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco, and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After the walking tour, allow us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco, as a delightful conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous "cicchetti," a Venetian variation of tapas. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 3:

After breakfast, reach “fair Verona”, a museum en plain air. A local professional will be waiting for you and take you on a guided tour. The fascinating mix of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic) is a blend of Nordic as well as Mediterranean influences that is both ancient and modern. A walk through its narrow streets will allow you to get in touch with Verona’s varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its medieval structures, its magnificent renaissance palaces, as well as the impressive fortifications protecting it. The combination of art and history will amaze you. Two of William Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona: “Romeo and Juliet” is by far the most famous one. We suggest taking a look at the so-called Juliet’s home (and its balcony, said to have been the legendary balcony of the famous “O Romeo, Romeo” tragedy’s scene). It is a medieval building located in via Cappello. Capello is the name of a family who resided in the edifice in the 14th century. After the Verona tour, you will drive toward the territory of Franciacorta, whose soil consisting of gravel and sand over limestone is ideal for the cultivation of grapes and for winemaking. This is why we chose this place for your next stop. This is where you will enjoy a light lunch and taste some local food as well as the renowned local wine. After this experience, you will head for Bergamo, where you will have the first overnight in Bergamo.

Day 4:

Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is the next destination. After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll embark on a panoramic tour of the lake’s west coast, immersing yourselves in the breathtaking natural landscape. This includes the Brenta Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the gentle slopes of the Moraine Hills of Lower Garda. You'll be surrounded by lush vegetation, from lemon trees to oleanders, magnolias, and bougainvillea. Upon reaching Sirmione, where Lake Garda and its surroundings are at their finest, you'll see the sun reverberating on the lake’s blue waters, the tree-lined shores, Sirmione Castle, as well as the ruins of Catullus’s villa also known as the Grottoes of Catullus – during a scenic boat tour. Once you’re through, you will have some free time for lunch before departing for 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:

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then prepare for a short visit to Como, a tourist destination for its vicinity to Lake Como and the Alps. Amazing views over the lake and the alpine valleys are guaranteed! The lake itself, sometimes called Lario, has long been famous for its y-shape and for Bellagio, that you will reach by boat. This little gem town lies at the intersection of the lake’s two southern arms, with the Alps dominating the horizon to the north, and is home to some of the most charming landscapes in Italy. Spend some time exploring this picturesque village and its small streets, luxury hotels, villas, and gardens, and have lunch at your leisure in one of the many restaurants or cafés. Later, continue by boat to Cadenabbia, where you’ll meet your driver and continue onward to Milan. Check in at your Milan hotel and overnight. 

Day 6:

This is the day of your Bernina Express tour, on board “the train that snakes its way up to the mountain peaks".  Just like sitting in a theater, you will admire unique views from your seat on board the Bernina Train, a piece of history (it is 100 years old) and a World Heritage train. After breakfast at the hotel, meet our driver and head to St. Moritz, where you’ll have some free time to explore. Then, board the Bernina Express and embark on one of the most scenic train routes in the world, offering breathtaking views of the Alps. As the train winds through the mountains, passing through tunnels and villages, several stunning highlights will capture your attention. Enjoy magnificent views of the Swiss Alps as you travel along the Bernina pass to Tirano. Once in Tirano, meet your driver at the designated meeting point for your return journey to Milan Overnight stay in Milan.

Day 7:

After breakfast, feel free to explore Milan this morning at your own pace. In the afternoon, meet your professional local guide at the hotel and set off on a three-hour walking tour through the heart of Milan. Going down via Spallanzani, you will reach Porta Venezia (literally Venice Gate), one of the historical gates to the city. It has medieval and maybe even Roman origins, and it gives the name to the city district all around it. An urban legend has it that the other name it is known as - “Porta Renza” - stems from Renzo Tramaglino, co-protagonist of the novel The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, who enters Milan exactly from this access. You will proceed toward Corso Venezia and 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). Your tour guide will illustrate its main features. The last stop will be the majestic Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress built in the 15th century by the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza. In its vicinity, we have chosen a refined bakery for you to be able to relax and taste a typical aperitivo (happy hour). At the end of the aperitivo, the tour is over and you will have some free time before returning to the hotel on your own. Overnight stay is in Milan.

Day 8:

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before leaving Milan by coach to reach the next destination: Liguria Region. Our first stop is the enchanting town of Santa Margherita Ligure, affectionately known as "La Perla del Tigullio," a town framed by the sea and cradled by mountains. Marvel at its picturesque port and the presence of numerous luxury hotels. Following this, a brief boat ride transports you to the enchanting town of Portofino, renowned for its glamour. The city boasts elegant luxury boutiques, and its colorful streets in the city center create a truly captivating atmosphere. Shaped like a crescent moon, this seaside village's beauty has been celebrated across the centuries by writers and poets, including Guy de Maupassant. Portofino is an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring Liguria! Enjoy leisurely moments in Portofino before resuming your journey and reaching Sestri Lavante, where you will delight in a wine and local food tasting. After this experience we will arrive to La Spezia, where you'll spend the night.

Day 9:

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before embarking on an unforgettable journey to one of the Mediterranean's most pristine and expansive regions: the Cinque Terre, which includes the charming villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.Exploring the Cinque Terre is like stepping into a world where five picturesque villages are nestled between the rugged coastline and lush hills. These villages, perched on cliffs and surrounded by terraced vineyards and olive groves, boast some of the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean. Once accessible only by mule tracks, train, or boat, this UNESCO-listed area is full of charm—from the colorful houses to the winding paths, and from local cuisine to breathtaking views. You’ll have ample free time to explore and enjoy a delicious lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, we return to La Spezia, where you'll spend another relaxing night.

Day 10:

After breakfast, depart from La Spezia and begin your journey inland, crossing scenic landscapes that blend rolling hills, ancient villages, and modern infrastructure. Your first stop is Maranello, the legendary home of Ferrari. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the Ferrari Museum, a temple of Italian automotive excellence. Discover iconic models, cutting-edge innovations, and the rich history of a brand that has become a global symbol of speed and style. After this thrilling experience, continue to a traditional acetaia - a family-run vinegar estate near Modena. Learn about the centuries-old process of crafting Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures. Delight in a tasting paired with regional specialties, and enjoy an authentic lunch in a warm, welcoming setting. In the afternoon, continue your journey northeast through the plains of Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto region, arriving in Venice in the early evening. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy free time to begin discovering this magical city on your own. Overnight.

Day 11:

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel as your tour with us comes to an end with the last service, transfer to the airport. End of our services.