Day 1 Lake Maggiore
- Pick up rental car from Malpensa airport and go to Lake Maggiore (approximately 34 miles)
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in the region of Lake Maggiore
Day 2 Stresa and the Borromeo Islands
- Discover Lake Maggiore, leave from the loading dock of Stresa by ferry boat. By crossing the Borromeo bay, you can visit the three islands of this little archipelago: L’Isola Bella, l’Isola Madre and l’Isola dei Pescatori.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in the region of Lake Maggiore
Day 3 Departure to Lake Como
- In Lennoyou can visit Villa Balbianiello and in Cernobbio Villa d’Este. In Tramezzo you can visit Villa Carlotta, an example of life of the nobility of Lombardy encompassing very beautiful houses surrounded by magnificent gardens and full of treasures of art. Villa Carlotta houses works of Canova, Tadolini and Thorvaldesen.
- Departure by boat (pax+ car) of Cadenabbia (near Villa Carlotta) to Bellagio, known as “the pearl of the lake”, a “charming villa full of history”. You can visit some magnificent gardens of Villa Melzi, in addition to the visit of the superb Botanical Garden. Departure to Como and short visit of the city,
- You will have the possibility to do an excursion by funicular to Brunate, to admire the breathtaking view over Lake Como.
- Leave for Lake Garda
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in the region of Lake Maggiore
Day 4 Lake Maggiore, Bergamo & Lake Garda (approximately 140 miles)
- Departure to Bergamo and stop to visit the upper city (by funicular).
- Go through the medieval streets up to “la Rocca”, an ancient defensive point where you will be able to admire an unexpected view of the lower city and the valleys in the surroundings.
- Arrive at Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the city, in which there are the ancient palaces of the city and the impressive “Campanone” and unique Piazza del Duomo with its basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, gem of the roman art, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Chapelle Colleoni, unique gem of the Renaissance.
- Walk “la Corsarola”, the main street of the upper city with many ancient and modern shops, restaurants and cafés.
- Continuation to Lake Garda with a stop in the peninsula of Sirmione and visit this beautiful little city. Visit the Scaliger caste (lords della Scala, of Verona), a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by the waters of the lake. The view of the dungeon is splendid. Visit the famous caves of Take a stroll in this beautiful city and admire also the splendid villas, such as the villa of Maria Callas.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in theregion of Lake Garda
Day 5 Lake Garda, Verona, Borghetto, Parco Sigurtà and Lake Garda (approximately 34 miles)
- Visit beautiful places in Verona, the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre and the Verona festival (dedicated to the opera); the house of Juliette with its balcony; Piazza delleErbe, Piazza dei Signori; the Basilica of San Zeno.
- In the afternoon go to the small village of Borghettosul Mincio and not far from there you will find Parco Giardino Sigurtà, an extraordinary public park. You will be very close to Solferino with its battlefield and where the Red Cross was created.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in the region of Lake Garda
Day 6 Western Shore & North side of Lake Garda – Limone/Riva del Garda (approximately 116 miles)
- Arrive at Torri del Benaco and then take the ferry to reach TescolanoMaderno on the western shore of the lake. Keep heading north and stop at Gargnano, where you can see the ancient orangeries. Through the panoramic road by way of Tignale and Tremosine, you will arrive at Limone sul Garda, a small harbor known for its mild climate.
- In the afternoon continue moving north to visit Lake Ledro, where there is the reconstruction of a prehistoric village and the Museum (not to be missed if you have kids between 8 and 15 years). You will go to Riva del Garda, the most northern point of the lake in the province of Trento, a paradise for surfers.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in the south-eastern region of Lake Garda
Day 7 Lake Garda & Milan (approximately 93 miles)
- Depart to Milan
- Visit the city of Milan from Piazza del Duomo to the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and it is called “Salotto di Milano”. Then walk to Piazza della Scala, where it is possible to see the famous theatre La Scala, the “temple of Opera”. Then visit Castello Sforzesco, this large building was the siege of Sforza, the Dukes of Milan. In the middle of Piazza Sempione there is l’Arco della Pace, a 82’ tall monument, from the Napoleonic period. It was built in the neoclassical style and decorated with the marble sculpture and the Corinthian columns.
- Admire the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio and visit of La Cena of Leonardo da Vinci inside the church of Santa Maria delleGrazie (must be booked in advance).
- Go shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele or in the famous Via Montenapoleone, the kingdom of famous fashion brands.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Milan.
Day 8 Milan, Milan Airport
- Return rental car at Milan Malpensa Airport
Includes:
- Car rental
- 7 nights hotel accommodations
- Daily breakfasts
- The daily distances in miles are calculated based on the most direct route.
Excludes:
- Airfare
- Hotel city tax
- Travel Insurance strongly recommended
Optional Tours & Add-ons:
- Airfare
- Private exploring with own personal guides
- Itinerary customized according to interests
Daily departures tailor-made by your Italian Destination Specialist
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