“Italy is the last country where people savor the joy of living.”
This extraordinary tour will take you to some of the most famous Italian locations. All of them gems in themselves and so different one from the other. We will visit places like Como Lake, Venice, and Sirmione. Sites visited repeatedly and yet, are always found delightful, with the capacity to inspire, amaze and awe the visitor every single time. Like the famous writer wrote many years ago:
‘Venice is a place that ‘grows upon you every day. There seems to be always something to find out in it. There are the most extraordinary alleys and by-ways to walk about in. You can lose your way (what a comfort that is, when you are idle!) twenty times a day if you like; and turn up again under the most unexpected and surprising difficulties. It abounds in the strangest contrasts; things that are picturesque, ugly, mean, magnificent, delightful, and offensive, break upon the view at every turn.’― Charles Dickens.
We will also visit the Italian Swiss area – Canton Ticino, to experience its distinct culture. Located on the southern side of the country and close to Italy, there is plenty to explore here. Rich in baroque architecture, Medieval castles, palm-lined promenades and Italian cuisine, tourists could not resist its delightful charm. .
HIGHLIGHTS:
Milan – Venice
This tour is ideal for someone who wants to enjoy Italy and the Italian Swiss area without haste. Prepare to enjoy Italy in the way Italians do: savoring the surroundings and stopping often to chat, drink coffee, or taste a gelato. Expect slow walking, and enjoy the Italian “dolce vita”. Because of the slow pace, it is ideal for visitors who will not enjoy a lot of walking or physical strain.
Get comfortable and board your overnight flight to Milan! We will meet you there!
Your host will meet you at Malpensa Airport. Then we will depart to visit Varese to start enjoying the view of the magnificent Alps. Varese, known as the “Garden City” due to its beautiful parks and gardens, is a charming small city, nestled on the shores of Lake Varese. The city is renowned for its natural beauty. In addition to its natural attractions, Varese has a rich cultural heritage. The city is home to several impressive historical buildings, such as the Renaissance-style Villa Panza, which now houses a contemporary art collection. The Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also a must-visit. This scenic pilgrimage route consists of 14 chapels, each depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. After our visit, we will check-in at our hotel for the evening.
LUNCH
After breakfast, departure to visit Lugano, sometimes referred to as the “Rio” or “Monte Carlo” of Switzerland, and surrounded by mountains and lining the shore of an enormous lake, Lugano is a city with a beautiful setting. Located in the Italian-speaking Ticino canton of Switzerland, this city is a lovely blend of Italian, Swiss, and Mediterranean influences.
After breakfast, we will visit la Bella Bellinzona, the capital of the Ticino Canton. The captivating city of Bellinzona, located in the Ticino region, features numerous historical attractions, fantastic architecture, and spectacular castles. There are three amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site castles to explore in Bellinzona: Castelgrande, Castello Montebello, and Castello Sasso Corbaro. Of these impressive fortresses, Castelgrande is the most awe-inspiring – not only is it a breathtaking sight, but it has its own museum and provides breathtaking views of the city too.
After lunch, we will visit Locarno, situated on Lake Maggiore (shared with Italy); It’s said to have Switzerland’s sunniest clime. Framed by towering mountains and laced with cobblestoned streets brimming with lush, subtropical flowers, it’s clear why the picturesque town is popular with locals from the region looking for a relaxing weekend getaway. There, we will also visit Piazza Grande, the ideal place to grab an espresso and people-watch to enjoy the place on our own.
Departure to our hotel in the evening.
BREAKFAST – LUNCH
After breakfast, we will depart to visit Italy, where we will check in at our hotel and enjoy our first view of Lake Como.
The beauty of Lake Como has been shining for centuries. Its honorary titles include ‘Most Requested Destination of the Aristocratic Gran Tour’ (19th century) and ‘Most Beautiful Lake in the World’ (2014). Across the centuries, numerous celebrities have made the lake their home, and it has been the set of multiple movies.
We will meet our local tour guide here and visit some of the top attractions of Como, including the Cathedral and the medieval city walls and towers. In the late afternoon, we will enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner.
DINNER
This day will be dedicated to visiting some of the other towns around Lake Como. We will start the morning by touring the lakeshore, where we will admire some of its villas, gardens, and monuments. We will visit the gardens of Villa Balbianello, a monastery converted into a summer house in the eighteen century. You will recognize it as it has been shown in movies like Star Wars, Episode 2, and Casino Royale.
Weather permitting, we can’t miss crossing the lake with a traghetto to Bellagio, the most famous town on the lake. Otherwise, we will visit other areas of the lake that can be reached by bus, like Villa Carlotta and Menaggio. Bellaggio is called the Pearl of Lake Como. It is famous for its villas, and its small yet charming alleys, full of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. We will spend the rest of the day visiting this town at our own leisure and finish the day with a dinner in a local trattoria.
Breakfast – Dinner
After breakfast, we will say goodbye to Como and go to Milan. After checking at our hotel, we will dedicate the day to visiting the city on foot and shopping in the world’s fashion capital. Like most cities in Italy, Milan is rich in history and culture. We will visit the Duomo, the famous gothic cathedral, and the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. After lunch, we will visit the most famous opera theater in the world, La Scala, and then proceed to visit the Sforza Castle. We will continue going alongside Via Montenapoleone for the rest of the afternoon and visit some famous Milanese boutiques. Dinner on your own.
Breakfast – Lunch
After breakfast, we will depart Milan to visit Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Lake Garda, with its 150 km (93 miles) of coastline, is dotted with charming towns and small villages, and all have something to offer. We will specifically visit Sirmione, a jewel city whose entrance to the historic center is guarded by the Scaliger Castle: the fortress owes its name to the noble Della Scala family, who ruled over Verona and the lake in the 13th century, but it was built on a pre-existing Roman fortification. We will take time to enjoy the surroundings and have our Lunch there.
Then, we will continue our trip to Verona where we will arrive at our hotel in the evening.
Breakfast – Lunch
After breakfast, we will visit Verona, made famous by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of the Shrew. It is unknown if Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy, but his plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities. The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. In fact, it has one of the nicest medieval centers in Italy. We will visit the historic Verona with a tour guide on foot, where we will find Juliet’s balcony, the Arena (outside), and Piazza Delle Erbe, once the city’s Roman forum. There will also be time to do the shopping and visit the city at our own pace.
We will finalize the day with dinner.
Breakfast – Dinner
After breakfast, we will depart to visit Venice. The next two days will be dedicated to visiting this unique city, ranked as the most beautiful (and romantic) city in the world. There is truly no place on earth like Venice. This city, built on the waters of the Adriatic Sea is dreamlike with its elaborate architecture, art-filled palaces, a palpable history that dates back over 1,000 years, and its network of picturesque canals. Venice consists of a tight cluster of islands around the Grand Canal, an iconic waterway plied by gondolas, water taxis, and canal boats. Since there are no cars in the city, we will walk or take a boat to see its many sites.
We will start by visiting Piazza San Marco and the surrounding areas, including the Duomo and Rialto Bridge. Our tour guide will be sharing with us some of the history and sights of this extraordinary city. Then, we will enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the local restaurants. The rest of the day will be dedicated to enjoying Venice on your own, maybe taking a gondola trip, exploring its many channels, or doing some shopping.
Breakfast – Lunch
After breakfast, we will take the Vaporetto to visit Murano, an island near Venice famous for its unique glass production. Although very close to Venice, the atmosphere in Murano is totally different. Stepping off the boat brings us to a different world: a quieter, almost melancholic island, complete with its own Grand Canal, fascinating glass shops, and romantic sidewalk cafes. Murano has been occupied since Roman times, and each century brought its own architectural style to the island. We will watch a blowing glass demonstration and visit the island.
Afterward, we will continue to visit Burano, a small island known for its lacework and brightly colored houses. In the evening, we will meet to celebrate a special farewell dinner in Venice.
Breakfast – Dinner
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Airport in Venice (if needed) for your return flight home!
Buon Viaggio!
