Historic Milan, Romantic Lake Como & Charming Lake Maggiore - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Milan

Welcome to Milan! Arrive at the Milano Malpensa or Linate airport, then transfer to the city center and check in to your hotel. Milan is known as the non-official capital of Italy, the place where everything happens. The city is a center for business, shopping, fashion, and culture, as well as medieval art and beautiful architecture.

A large number of Milan's old monuments and buildings were destroyed during World War II bombings, and the new construction and modern architecture give Milan a sophisticated vibe. Because of this, Milan is known as Italy's "new" city and represents modern Italy.  Many of Milan's famous historical sights are clustered together in the heart of the city so it's straightforward to explore on your own today while you get acquainted with the city. 

After you settle in, visit some lesser-known attractions and explore Milan's art and culture. Depending on your interests, we recommend the following options to make the most of your time: 

• Stroll leisurely around the cobbled streets of the bohemian Brera District to see art academies, galleries, and fine dining restaurants and bars. Find a nice place you'd like to return to for dinner and make a reservation.
• Castello Sforzesco is a castle located in the heart of the city. The Duke of Milan built this magnificent structure in the 15th century which now contains historic and artistic masterpieces from around the world. 
• Stop to taste local street food. Arancini (delicious deep-fried risotto balls) are great as an on-the-go snack. 

The rest of the afternoon and evening is all yours to find a great restaurant for dinner. Milanese food is quite rich and luxurious, renowned for delicious risottos. Try out a local osteria or a trattoria in the arty Brera district.

Day 2: History & Art Walking Tour

Milan has a rich history, and much of it is visible in the city's art and architecture, including sites from the Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance periods. Today you will experience the main highlights on a walking tour with a local guide, beginning at the Piazza del Duomo to visit the iconic Milan Cathedral. It took almost 600 years to complete the Duomo's shiny marble facade and striking late Gothic architecture, and today it is the symbolic monument of Milan. We recommend heading to the roof to enjoy panoramic views across the city (definitely worth the climb).

As you exit the Duomo, you'll walk towards the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century shopping mall. Take a stroll through the airy halls and admire the ornate architecture and skylights. Be sure to look up at the beautiful glass ceiling as you pass by the historic restaurants, bars, and trendy shops. You will recognize the famous Italian designers and brands housed in this mall, as Milan is the fashion capital of Italy.

Continuing onward, your next stop is La Scala Opera House, one of the most renowned in Europe. It was first built in the late 18th century and was beautifully restored in 1943 after it suffered great damage during World War II. Today it is an emblem representing the history of art in Milan, and is still at the heart of the city's artistic scene. Tip: although it requires planning ahead, we recommend buying tickets to enjoy a show.  

Next, you will come to the highlight of the day, the chance to see Da Vinci's "The Last Supper." As you will already have tickets ahead of your arrival, you won't need to queue. The renowned work is highly regulated and the painting can only be viewed by appointment. The masterpiece is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, painted in Milan by Leonardo da Vinci between 1495 and 1498. Marvel at the painting and admire the architecture of the convent until you're ready to head back into the 21st century. 

In the evening head to the Navigli at Porta Genova, Milan's ancient network of canals and passages used for transporting goods and supplies across the city. At night these streets transform with crowds of locals and tourists meeting friends at bars and enjoying aperitivos. Come for the buzzing energy, stay for the wine bars and people watching.

Day 3: Milan to Lake Como

The best way to travel in Italy is by train, and today you'll depart from Milano Centrale Station to Lake Como. Trains run regularly, and the journey is around 40 minutes, so you don't need to rush your breakfast. After enjoying a final walk through the city streets, you'll head north into rural Italy.

Lake Como is one of the three main lakes in Italy's Lake District, alongside Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Lake Como is grand yet peaceful and quiet, surrounded by forests that add to the serenity. The lake is popular with travelers from around the world and has attracted numerous celebrities who own villas along its shores, including George Clooney and Madonna.

You'll be based in the town of Como on the southern end of the lake while you spend the next few days exploring. City highlights include the Gothic 14th-century Cathedral of Como, sprawling Villa Olmo park, and the Museo Didattico della Seta (Museum of Silk), which chronicles the region's historic silk industry. See the sights with a ride on the funicular railway up to Brunate, a small town located high up in the mountains above Lake Como. Tour the terraced gardens and beautiful interiors of Villa Balbianello - Lenno and the Villa Serbelloni and enjoy the views with a stroll on the waterfront promenade.

In the afternoon, spend the rest of the day exploring Como's historic and natural sites with these suggested activities: 

• Learn about local history in the Museo Archeologico
• Experience the elegant charm of Villa Balbianello - Lenno and Villa Serbelloni as you tour the terraced gardens and beautiful interiors
• Rent an electric bike and go for a ride along the lake
• Go rock climbing on the granite and limestone cliffs that surround Lake Como 
• Rent a kayak and enjoy a few hours on the water
• Go wine tasting at Cantine Sorsasso, Lake Como's oldest winery 

You'll find good restaurants close to the lake, but also in the center of Como near the cathedral. There are plenty of options to choose from, so take your pick of a rustic trattoria or something more sophisticated depending on your taste.

Day 4: Bellagio Tour and Boat Ride

Spend the day exploring the beautiful lakeside town of Bellagio, which sits on Lake Como about an hour to the north. You'll take a scenic boat trip to reach Bellagio, then go for a three-hour guided tour to see the little-known vantage points and sights which many visitors miss.  

Stroll around Punta Spartivento and gaze out at Lake Como. Tour the neoclassical Villa Melzi and the surrounding botanical gardens, which are filled with spectacular rare and exotic plants and a Japanese pond. The residence was built for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republic during Napoleon's time. Head inside the elaborate home to see works by Antonio Canova, Andrea Appiani, Giovan Battista Comolli and Giuseppe Bossi, then step into the adjacent Orangery to view a small museum of Napoleonic memorabilia. Spend some time here enjoying the views of Lake Como from the elegant terrace and gardens. 

Round out your tour with time in Bellagio's picturesque streets and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore some of the town's magnificent villas and beautiful parks:

• Go shopping for leather goods, clothing, and street food on the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 
• Tour the 12th-century Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo 
• Soak in the sunshine at the Lido di Bellagio and San Giovanni beaches 
• Visit Menaggio, a small town across from Bellagio, by ferry
• Rent a paddleboard and head onto the water to explore the lake

For dinner, enjoy a traditional Mediterranean meal accompanied by local wine before taking the boat back to Como for the night.

Day 5: Pasta Making Class in Como

Today you will learn how to make the quintessential Italian dish—handmade pasta. Discover why, exactly, handmade pasta tastes so much better during this 4-hour cooking class. Learn to make three different kinds of regional pasta—as well as pizza and other local specialties—before sitting down to enjoy your hard work, accompanied by a selection of wine.

In the afternoon, explore the city on your own. Recommended activities include:

• Learn about history, art, and archaeology in the Museo Storico Giuseppe Garibaldi and Civic Art Gallery 
• Explore Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, a beautiful villa built originally for an English Queen, with terraced gardens climbing the steep hill behind it
• Visit the botanic garden at Villa Carlotta, which sits in Lake Como's mildest spot, the Tremezzina Riviera, where foliage remains green all winter
• Visit the 13th-century Cluniac Abbey of Piona, which surrounds the 11th-century church of San Nicola and its beautiful Romanesque cloister
• Canoeing at Porlezza or Lenno, a fun way to explore Lake Como.

Day 6: Lake Como to Lake Maggiore

After breakfast, you'll travel to another classic Italian lake, Lake Maggiore. The nearby mountains shelter Lake Maggiore from cold northern winds, making the lake and its 11 islands a popular year-round destination. For centuries, both Italian and foreign artists have favored the serene environment of this lake.

Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are connected by train from Como's San Giovanni station to Stresa via a connection in Milan. Stresa is the main town along the lake and will serve as your home base. Enjoy lunch at a lakeshore cafe, then in the afternoon visit Isola Bella—the 'Beautiful Island'—with a hop-on-hop-off ferry ticket departing from Stresa. Visit the most famous of the Borromean Islands and tour the Palace Museum and Gardens. Be sure to stroll around the palazzos and villas that decorate the port and take photos of the fantastic views from the center of the lake.

Back in Stresa, enjoy a leisurely 1-mile walk along the lake's promenade at your own pace. Pause for a gelato or coffee and admire the beauty of the lake. The town is home to great markets and shops selling local products. Go shopping for fresh-cut flowers, fish from the lake, clothing, gifts, and everything in between at the Luino and Cannobio Markets (Luino is open every Wednesday, Cannobio on Sunday mornings).

In the evening, enjoy a dinner of Mediterranean seafood or pizza, accompanied as always by a glass of local wine. Afterward, grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset over Lake Maggiore.

Day 7: Free Day in Stresa

Lake Maggiore is one of Italy's most beautiful lakes and has long enchanted artists who favor the mild climate. It's the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name "Maggiore." The area, once a peasant settlement, has been transformed over the centuries into an exclusive holiday resort for the aristocracy, and later for wealthy bourgeois entrepreneurs from Lombardy. In 1748, Stresa and the western shore of Lake Maggiore came under Savoy rule, launching the region into a long period of prosperity and construction, including a new road across the pass and a railway tunnel. 

Spend some time exploring the streets of Stresa. The Main Tower or Castellana was built on a square plan and offers a sweeping view of the mountains and the shores of the lake. Adjacent to the main tower is the Ala Viscontea (Wing of Viscontis), and on the opposite side sits Ala die Borromei, named after the Borromeo family responsible for most of the alterations after the 15th century. The small 13th-century palazzo, Alla Scaligera, sits between the outer walls and the remains of an older tower. The fifth part of the castle is the 14th century Tower of Giovanni Visconti, near the southern end of the Ala Viscontea.

Today is a free day to take advantage of the beautiful weather and explore the area. Select from the following suggestions for a full day of sightseeing:

• Take in the panoramic scenery with a ride on the 'Bucket Lift' funicular above Laveno
• Visit Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino to see a variety of rare and beautiful flowers and animals, including the largest Kashmir cypress in Europe. The gardens are exceptionally beautiful with colorful camellias, rhododendrons, white peacocks, exotic birds, and tropical flowers on display.  See tree-lined avenues, terraced pools, and vibrant flower gardens. Villa Taranto is in the town of Pallanzan and accessible by local ferry.
• Learn about the region's ceramic history at the Museo Internazionale Design Ceramico
• Enjoy a ride on the Stresa to Mottarone cable car offering fantastic views over the Borromean Islands and Lake Maggiore. The cable car ride is about 20 minutes, but once at the top of the Mottarone mountain, you can walk around the trails and return to Stresa whenever you're ready.

In the evening, trust your sense of smell and wander the narrow side streets to find a good restaurant for dinner. In Italy, the best food can come from the smallest kitchen.

Day 8: Depart Milan

Time to say goodbye to Milan - for now! Catch up on some last-minute souvenir shopping, enjoy a cup of Italian coffee in a sunny plaza, then head to the airport for your connecting flight home. Safe travels!