Highlights
- Clink glasses of Prosecco while floating along the canals of Venice at sunset
- Spend time exploring three lakes: Garda, Maggiore, and Como
- Ride a cable car to the top of Monte Baldo for views over Lake Garda
- Admire extravagant villas while on a private Lake Como boat tour
- Have a royal moment walking through the ornate gardens of Borromeo Palace
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Venice, Sunset & Aperitivo Gondola Ride | Venice |
| Day 2 | Self-Guided City Tour of Venice, Transfer to Malcesine | Malcesine |
| Day 3 | Monte Baldo Cable Car, Free Afternoon in Malcesine | Malcesine |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Varenna, Free Time on Lake Como | Varenna |
| Day 5 | Scenic Boat Tour of Lake Como | Varenna |
| Day 6 | Cooking Demo & Lunch at a Local Home | Varenna |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Stresa, Market Tour & Dining Experience | Stresa |
| Day 8 | Free Morning in Stresa, Half-Day Culture & Wine Experience | Stresa |
| Day 9 | Borromean Islands Boat Tour | Stresa |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Milan, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Sunset & Aperitivo Gondola Ride
Buongiorno and welcome to Venice! This Italian city, famous for its network of canals and charming gondolas, is the perfect romantic start to your dream Italian vacation. On arrival, take a water taxi directly from the airport to your accommodation. En route, you'll get your first taste of the floating city and its atmospheric canals. Most of the day is yours to settle in, refresh, and explore on foot.
Close to dusk, you'll board a Venetian gondola for a private sunset canal ride. Step on board and crack the bottle of bubbly Prosecco to sip on while you enjoy this quintessential city activity. Watch the skill of your gondolier, whose forcoles allow them to position oars in different ways to navigate the long, slender vessels through Venice's narrow waterways. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the sun sinks into the horizon and the city starts to sparkle.
Day 2: Self-Guided Venice Tour, Transfer to Malcesine
Use today to explore the great sights of Venice on foot. Start in the center of it all at Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square). Take a moment to take in the sights and sounds of the city's famous square, then venture into the impressive Basilica San Marco and admire its incredible mosaics. If you have the energy, climb the campanile (bell tower) to gain a bird's-eye view over Venice. After, pop by the ancient Doge's Palace, a symbol of Venetian history. During the Venetian Republic, this was the home of the ruler and the center of government. Step inside to see incredibly lavish interiors.
Wander over to the Grand Canal to see the Bridge of Sighs, an ornate Baroque-style bridge that connects the palace to the first-floor prison. Then, continue over to the famous Rialto Bridge. A little further down, find the Rialto Market, a buzzing food market open in the mornings. Visit another bridge or two that cross the Grand Canal, such as the Ponte dell'Accademia, and round out your sightseeing with a glass of wine and cicchetti—the Venetian version of tapas. Late in the day, a private transfer will take you 2.5 hours to Malcesine on the shores of Lake Garda.
Day 3: Monte Baldo Cable Car, Free Afternoon in Malcesine
Today is yours to explore the beauty of Lake Garda, but there's no rush. You're on vacation, so enjoy a lie-in and a slow breakfast at your accommodation. Once you're ready to venture out, head to the Funivia Malcesine Monte Baldo cable car terminal. This high-tech cable car soars to almost 6,000 feet (1,800 m) to reach the top of Monte Baldo in just a few minutes, and the unique rotating cabins offer an ever-changing view. From up here, you'll gaze out as a sea of blue, with the lake and sky blending into a beautiful mountain landscape with snow-covered Alpine peaks in the distance.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Lake Garda at your own pace. You could set off on one of the trails of Monte Baldo or return to lake level and stroll along the lakeside promenade. Stop by one of the charming lakeside cafés for an espresso or gelato break. If you're feeling adventurous, rent a bike or take a boat tour to explore other hidden coves and picturesque villages like Sirmione. History enthusiasts should visit the ancient Castello Scaligero in Malcesine. End your afternoon with a visit to a local winery, sampling exquisite Garda wines as the sun sets over the tranquil lake.
Day 4: Transfer to Varenna, Free Time on Lake Como
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
This morning, after breakfast, a private driver will collect you for the three-hour drive from Malcesine to Varenna, one of the most beautiful towns on the edge of Lake Como. You'll arrive right on time for lunch, so drop off your bags and seek out an authentic trattoria to taste rustic and regional dishes from this area. This afternoon you'll have free time to explore the breathtaking lake, colorful buildings, and elegant villas.
You could take a half-hour walk up to ancient Castello di Vezio for views over the town. After, visit Villa Monastero, one of the lake's most beautiful villas. Located close to the central Piazza San Giorgio, the former monastery has a sprawling lakeside botanical garden filled with rare and exotic plants. Later on, take a 15-minute walk to the hamlet of Fiumelatte or venture down to the Riva to find a restaurant for dinner.
Day 5: Scenic Boat Tour of Lake Como
Lake Como is famous for its turquoise waters and extravagant villas, so the best way to explore is from the water. Today, you'll set off by private boat, learning about some of the magnificent homes and lush gardens that border the lake, including one owned by George Clooney. Between Torno and Blevio, your guide will show you a handful of pretty little villages with tall bell towers that line the shore. Then you'll pass by Comacina, the only island in the lake.
This little island, while largely abandoned now, was one of the first established settlements on Lake Como, and activity here predates the Romans. Next, visit the beautiful town of Bellagio, known as the "Pearl of the Lake." You'll stop to wander its pretty streets and little lanes—grab a gelato while here and explore local boutiques and artisan stores. Look up to see the impressive Villa Serbelloni, an extravagant hotel built in the late 19th century that towers above the town. Wander up here for a late lunch or find a quiet café in the town's center before starting back for Varenna.
Day 6: Cooking Demo & Lunch at a Local Home
There's no better way to experience Varenna's rich culinary culture than dining in a local home. This morning, you'll connect with a cesarina (home cook) and enter their house to taste beloved family recipes. Sitting around their kitchen table, you'll gain an intimate look at Varenna's traditions and learn about the city's culture and cuisine from your humble hosts. Your cesarina will give you a private cooking demonstration as they put the finishing touches on some traditional local dishes, such as pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese, a buckwheat pasta found in the Lake Como area.
Finally, you'll sit down for lunch. Enjoy a starter, pasta dish, main course, and dessert—all served with local wines and Italian espresso. After breaking bread together and sharing stories, you'll feel like a new member of their family—and take an apron and shopping bag home as a souvenir. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy in Varenna. If you didn't make it to Villa Monastero or Castello di Vezio the other day, use your afternoon to visit these landmarks.
Day 7: Transfer to Stresa, Market Tour & Dining Experience
This morning, after breakfast, a private driver will transfer you two hours to Stresa, on the edge of Lake Maggiore—your third lakeside destination for the trip. While Lake Garda is the largest, and Lake Como attracts an A-list crowd, many say that Lake Maggiore might be the most beautiful of them all. Drop your bags off at the hotel and set off on a walk to orientate yourself in the town.
Later today you'll delve back into the heart of authentic Italian gastronomy. Meet a local cesarina who will lead you around a real Italian market, teaching you about the seasonal produce and ingredients at the heart of Italian food. After the market, you'll head to the home of your cesarina for a three-course dining experience with regional dishes, including a starter, pasta, and tiramisu to finish. You'll make new friends, feel like one of the family, and eat like the Italians do!
Day 8: Free Morning in Stresa, Half-Day Culture & Wine Experience
Stresa is a true gem set on Lake Maggiore, and this morning is yours to explore the stunning villas, parks, gardens, and the flowery lakeside promenade. After breakfast, take a walk along the waterfront to admire the snowcapped Alps in the distance, the ever-changing vistas of the Borromean Islands, and the reflection of the elegant village in the water. Stop for coffee, grab a gelato as a mid-morning snack, shop for souvenirs, and find a trattoria for lunch.
This afternoon, you'll go off the beaten track on a half-day tour that combines culture, food, and wine. From nearby Baverno, meet your local guide and ride the ferry to Verbania Intra, a quiet yet charming lakeside town on the Borromean Gulf. You'll tour the town, starting in its heart at Piazza Ranzoni, then explore lesser-known sights, such as the Church of San Rocco or the impressive Basilica di San Vittore. After, sit down for a wine tasting at La Casera, accompanied by local cheeses and charcuterie.
Day 9: Borromean Islands Boat Tour
You can't visit Lake Maggiore without dedicating at least one day to the Borromean Islands. Stresa is the perfect launch point, so after breakfast, you'll board a boat for a unique island-hopping tour to discover the extravagant palaces and magnificent botanical gardens. A private boat will take you to Isola Bella, a small island dominated by a Baroque palace and its opulent Italian-style garden, both owned by the Prince of Borromeo.
After, choose between Isola Madre or Isola dei Pescatori for lunch. Your skipper can suggest some great local spots to experience Lake Maggiore cuisine. After lunch, you could request to cruise over to the lakeside hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a Roman Catholic monastery founded in the 12th century on the edge of a rocky cliff. Finally, return to Stresa for your final evening on vacation. Dress up and head out for one last dinner beneath Italian skies!
Day 10: Transfer to Milan, Depart
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