Milan Explorer, Lakes & Alpine Train - 8 Days

Welcome to Milan! Meet our driver at Milan Malpensa Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.

This morning is free to relax in the hotel, or head out and explore Milan at leisure. This afternoon, commencing at approximately 14:30 from the hotel, we embark on a three-hour walking tour of central Milan. We head down Via Spallanzani to reach Porta Venezia, one of the city's historical gates with medieval and possibly Roman origins. This gate also lends its name to the surrounding district. There's a local legend that it’s also known as "Porta Renza" because Renzo Tramaglino, a character from Alessandro Manzoni's novel The Betrothed, entered Milan through this gate.

Next, we continue along Corso Venezia, taking a shortcut through Giardini Indro Montanelli, a public garden. Across from the gardens, we pass by the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GAM). From there, we walk down Viale Manzoni towards the La Scala opera house, which was inaugurated on August 3, 1778, and underwent major renovations between 2002 and 2004. Then, we see the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), where our guide will explain its main features. The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, a 15th-century fortress built by Duke Francesco Sforza. Nearby, we'll relax at a bakery with a typical aperitivo (happy hour). After the aperitivo, there's more free time to explore or return to the hotel on your own.

Milan - St Moritz (Switzerland) - Milan. Today we ride the famous UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, a heritage 100-year old railway that travels through the Italian and Swiss Alps, boasting some of the most incredible alpine scenery in Europe.

After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to Tirano near the border with Switzerland, and it is here that we board the train. We will be guaranteed seats in the panoramic carriage, the best place to admire the sweeping alpine views! During our two hour train ride we pass through impressive mountain tunnels and chug through quaint alpine towns and villages. See the peaks of the Swiss Alps as we cross the border, before arriving in the exclusive ski resort town of St Moritz. There's free time to explore the Swiss town before we meet our driver and travel by coach back to Milan, where the evening is at leisure.

Milan - Lake Como - Bergamo. Departing Milan, we drive first to stunning Lake Como, the most famous of the Italian Lakes. Boasting shimmering waters and dramatic alpine scenery, it is little surprise that celebrities flock here from all over the world - George Clooney, Donatella Versace and Madonna are just some of the stars known to own houses around Lake Como.

Lake Como is famous for it's Y-shape, and we'll enjoy a boat ride to Bellagio, a small town that sits idyllically where the two southern arms of the lake fork away. There is free time to explore this small town and enjoy the surrounding views before we head back across the lake and journey to Bergamo, a city split between the modern citta bassa (lower town) and the medieval citta alta (upper town). The evening is at leisure.

Bergamo - Lake Garda - Sirmione - Riva del Garda - Bergamo. Today we take in another of the Italian Lakes - Lake Garda. We enjoy a panoramic tour of the lake's west coast, admiring the scenery of the UNESCO-listed Brenta Dolomites and the Moraine Hills. There will be time for you to try some of the local olive oil or wine.

Our next stop is Sirmione, on the shores of the lake. We'll enjoy a short boat tour, during which we'll see the lakeside Sirmione Castle and the ruins of Catullus's Villa. Back on land, there is free time to find a quaint local restaurant for lunch. We then return to Bergamo, making a stop in Riva del Garda en route, in order to admire its beautiful Venetian-style historical centre.

Bergamo - Verona - Milan. This morning we drive to Verona, where an expert local guide will lead us on a guided tour. Walking down the city's narrow streets you can embrace the fascinating history of Verona, from its Roman origins to its Renaissance palaces.

Two of legendary playwright William Shakespeare's plays were set in Verona: Two Gentlemen of Verona and of course, Romeo and Juliet. We pay a visit to "Juliet's Home" and see the legendary balcony which is said to have inspired the famous "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" scene.

Making our way back to Milan, we stop in the winemaking region of Franciacorta for an included lunch and a glass or two of wine. Arriving back in Milan, the evening is free to relax at the hotel or head out and explore.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a free morning to perhaps visit Milan’s Fashion District, the heart of Italian fashion. Explore the Quadrilatero d'Oro (Golden Rectangle), where you'll find prestigious haute couture boutiques like Versace, Prada, and Armani.

In the afternoon, we meet in Alzaia-Naviglio Grande for a boat tour of Milan's beautiful Navigli district, known for its canals and vibrant nightlife. On the boat, we cruise along the Naviglio Grande, enjoying a cocktail and delicious snacks. We pass by old buildings along the canal, with ground floors now housing bars, restaurants, and art galleries. As we continue upstream, we can see San Cristoforo sul Naviglio, one of Milan's oldest churches, the historic Canottieri Olona sports club, and the famous Vicolo dei Lavandai, an open-air wash house used from the 18th century to the 1950s. You can listen to the audio guide for some history or simply enjoy the ride and chat with your travel companions. Our final night in Milan is at leisure.

Today our tour comes to an end after breakfast at the hotel. There is an included transfer to the airport. Ciao!