Venice, North Lakes & Milan - 8 Days

Welcome to Venice! On arrival, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Italy's canal city.

After breakfast, we transfer to Piazza San Marco to visit some of Venice’s most famous landmarks, including the Palazzo dei Dogi and the Bridge of Sighs. Following our walking tour, we relax with a spritz or prosecco – the perfect way to round off the morning – and enjoy a taste of Venetian cicchetti (light lunch), the city’s version of tapas. The afternoon is free for you to explore the canals and hidden corners of Venice at your own pace.

Venice - Verona - Franciacorta - Bergamo. After breakfast, we travel to Verona, a city steeped in history and culture. On our guided tour, we explore Roman ruins, medieval landmarks and Renaissance palaces, including a visit to Juliet’s house and balcony, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We then continue to Franciacorta – renowned for its vineyards and ideal winemaking soil – to enjoy a light lunch with local food and wine. Later, we head to Bergamo for our overnight stop.

Bergamo - Lake Garda - Bergamo. After breakfast, we set off for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. A panoramic drive along the west coast takes us past the Brenta Dolomites and the Moraine Hills, framed by lush vegetation. In Sirmione, we enjoy a boat tour to admire the town’s picturesque shoreline, the Scaliger Castle and the Grottoes of Catullus.

After free time for lunch, we continue to Desenzano del Garda, known for its elegant lakeside promenade and historic centre with traces of Venetian influence. We return to Bergamo for the night. Dinner is included.

Bergamo - Lake Como - Milan. After breakfast, we make a brief visit to Como, renowned for its stunning views of Lake Como and the surrounding Alps.

From here, we embark on a boat to Bellagio – an elegant village at the junction of the lake’s two southern branches, celebrated for its charming streets, luxury hotels, historic villas and lush gardens. Lunch is at your leisure. In the afternoon, we take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where we meet our driver and continue to Milan.

Milan - St Moritz (Switzerland) - Tirano (Italy) - Milan. After breakfast, we meet our driver and travel to the Swiss resort town of St. Moritz, where you have some free time to explore at your own pace.

Later, we board the Bernina Express for one of the world’s most scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps. Along the way, we pass charming alpine villages, dramatic tunnels, and stunning mountain views as we cross the Bernina Pass towards Tirano. On arrival, our driver will be waiting to take us back to Milan.

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, we meet our local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city. We begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gate with medieval and Roman origins, before continuing along Corso Venezia. Our walk takes us through the Giardini Indro Montanelli, past the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, and along Viale Manzoni. From the outside, we see the world-renowned Teatro alla Scala before admiring the striking façade of Milan’s Cathedral (Duomo).

The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress, where we finish with a relaxing aperitivo. You then have free time before returning to the hotel.

Your tour comes to an end today. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before check-out and an included transfer to the airport.