7-Night Opulent Italian Lakes and Cities

Day 2

Accommodation

4-Star Lakeside Spa Hotel - Bellagio, Lombardy Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time: 3:00 PM
Check-out time: 10:00 AM

Included Unique Activities

Aperitivo with Wine and Nibbles

The glamorous Italian tradition of an Aperitivo as the sun is setting is loved all over the world. For your Aperitivo experience, you will be hosted in a local 17th century wine cellar and shop where you will taste 3 regional wines with a full description and explanation made by professional sommelier. The wine tasting is accompanied by a tray of local cheeses and cold cut, olives and bread.

Private Como Lake Boat Tour

At 1,300 feet deep, Lake Como is the deepest European lake outside Norway. The lake is cupped in the shadow of snow-covered alps and lush, green hillsides and it's blue waters are mesmerizing. So sit back and relax on your private wooden boat whilst your captain transports you into the magical world of Lake Como’s prestigious waters. Stops can also be arranged either in advance via our concierge or on the day directly with your captain.

2 Hour Duration.

Suggested Sightseeing

Bellagio, Lombardy Region

On the map: Bellagio is situated on a promontory near the center of Lake Como, about 19 miles (30 km) northeast of the town of Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. 

Bellagio is considered the pearl of Lake Como, a top lakeside vacation destination, and one of the most romantic places to visit in Italy. Bellagio boasts panoramic lake views and a fairly mild climate. The charming lakeside promenade leads to Villa Melzi with its beautiful gardens. The village features picturesque stone lanes and stairways with little shops, gelato bars, cafes, and restaurants. Nearby is the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and performances, and the Romanesque San Giacomo Church. Bellagio has been a favored summer resort since Roman times.  They planted olive and laurel trees, and later Italians grew camellias and rhododendrons around their villas.  You can launch into the lake, or stroll through town. 

Lake Como, Lombardy Region

On the Map: In Italian it’s Lago di Como, also called Lario, Latin Lacus Larius, a lake in Lombardy, northern Italy, 25 miles (40 km) north of Milan.

Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times. Villas and palaces abound, including Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta. Well-known people have had homes on the shores of Lake Como since Roman times, and still do.  (At 1,300 feet deep, it is the deepest European lake outside Norway.  The blue waters are gorgeous.)  The lake is cupped in the shadow of snow-covered alps and lush, green hillsides.  The historic downtown, and what’s left of its 12th century walls, is charming. Como’s economic base has been silk for centuries—go shopping. Besides visiting the villas, go to the Basilica di San Fedele. Some of it dates from the 12th century, and there are dazzling windows and frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries. A craft and antiques market fills its piazza on Saturdays.

Overnight Location

Bellagio, Lombardy Region

On the map: Bellagio is situated on a promontory near the center of Lake Como, about 19 miles (30 km) northeast of the town of Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. 

Bellagio is considered the pearl of Lake Como, a top lakeside vacation destination, and one of the most romantic places to visit in Italy. Bellagio boasts panoramic lake views and a fairly mild climate. The charming lakeside promenade leads to Villa Melzi with its beautiful gardens. The village features picturesque stone lanes and stairways with little shops, gelato bars, cafes, and restaurants. Nearby is the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and performances, and the Romanesque San Giacomo Church. Bellagio has been a favored summer resort since Roman times.  They planted olive and laurel trees, and later Italians grew camellias and rhododendrons around their villas.  You can launch into the lake, or stroll through town. 

Day 3

Accommodation

5-Star Belle Époque Lakeside Mansion - Stresa, Piedmont Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time: 2:00 PM
Check-out time: 12:00 PM

Included Unique Activities

Village of San Guilio Private Tour & Bellagio-Stresa Transfer

After your picked up from your hotel in Bellagio, you'll be whisked off to the Village of San Giulio before being transferred to your hotel in Stresa. 

Spend about 3 hours strolling along the picturesque streets of San Giulio; a favorite place for romantic souls, the village is a maze of narrow cobbled lanes, flanked by old stone walls and doorways topped with triangular architraves. The little squares, reminiscent of the campielli of Venice, are enlivened by the presence of craft boutiques, antique shops and lively cafés. There is a splendid view of Lake Orta from the 15th century Church of Maria Assunta, a favorite for weddings, from where a flight of broad granite steps leads to Piazza Motta, the main square of the village. Walk down between two rows of 16th century houses and arrive in the historic Palazzo della Comunita square where two side streets lead off to Moccarolo and Villa.

The Moccarolo district in the southern part of the village has an elegant row of villas and townhouses, all with colorful flower-filled gardens overlooking the lake. The houses in the Villa area are period townhouses embellished with pretty little wrought iron balconies; see them to best advantage along the narrow, picturesque Via Olina.

The best views are from the Sacro Monte of Orta, a complex of chapels built between the 16th and 17th centuries, in the woodland setting of the Sacro Monte Special Nature Reserve. After you depart from San Giulio, your driver will drop you off at your hotel in Stresa.

Suggested Sightseeing

Bellagio, Lombardy Region

On the map: Bellagio is situated on a promontory near the center of Lake Como, about 19 miles (30 km) northeast of the town of Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. 

Bellagio is considered the pearl of Lake Como, a top lakeside vacation destination, and one of the most romantic places to visit in Italy. Bellagio boasts panoramic lake views and a fairly mild climate. The charming lakeside promenade leads to Villa Melzi with its beautiful gardens. The village features picturesque stone lanes and stairways with little shops, gelato bars, cafes, and restaurants. Nearby is the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and performances, and the Romanesque San Giacomo Church. Bellagio has been a favored summer resort since Roman times.  They planted olive and laurel trees, and later Italians grew camellias and rhododendrons around their villas.  You can launch into the lake, or stroll through town. 

Lungolago di Stresa, Piedmont Region

For a delightful afternoon stroll alongside Lake Maggiore head for the Lungolago (lakefront) di Stresa. The mile-long lakefront promenade meanders through beautifully manicured gardens and past grand Liberty-style hotels, with views of Bella Island jutting up from the water. The journey northwest from the Stresa ferry dock takes you past cafes, fountains, and statues. A convenient turn-around point is the ferry dock at Carciano, which is also a base station for the Mottarone Mountain cable-car.

Overnight Location

Stresa, Piedmont Region

On the map: Stresa is a town of about 5,000 people on the shores of Lake Maggiore, just across from Verbania, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, about 56 miles (90 km) northwest of Milan. It is on the road and rail routes to the Simplon Pass, a high mountain road between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.

The name of this town first appeared in documents in 998 AD. By the 15th century it had become a fishing community, and eventually ended up under the control of the Borromeo Family. In 1948 Ernest Hemingway visited Stresa—he had set part of his novel, A Farewell to Arms, in the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. Stresa has a front and center view of sunrise over Lake Maggiore. It also has the feel of a bygone era of decadence and elegance. In the center of town, the Piazza Cadorna is shady, and a nice place for coffee or a wine break. There are ancient cobblestone streets that weave through town—they’re perfect for exploring. Enjoy a cable car trip up Monte Mottarone. You’ll have amazing views over the lake, including those of the gorgeous, little islands. Take a ferry to the Borromean Islands and wander the lush gardens. Consider taking The Lago Maggiore Express, a one-day train trip to Domodossola, and switch to the Hundred Valleys train to Locarno, Switzerland. (You can take a ferry back to Stresa.) Stresa is an exceptional town.

Day 4

Accommodation

5-Star Belle Époque Lakeside Mansion - Stresa, Piedmont Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time: 2:00 PM
Check-out time: 12:00 PM

Included Unique Activities

Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

Island-hop at Lake Maggiore, and discover the tiny Borromean Islands with a hop-on hop-off ferry ticket. Use the
1-day pass to venture out from Stresa, and spend your day sightseeing as you wish. Step onto the shores of
Isola Bella, home to the Borromeo family ‘palazzo’; wander amid the houses of pocket-sized Isola dei Pescatori;
and admire the greenery of Isola Madre where botanical gardens beckon. Hop-on hop-off 1-day ferry ticket
around Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. Travel in style on a comfortable, modern ferry. Soak up
beautiful views of the lake and dramatic slopes Move between the three islands as and when you please,
hopping on and off the ferry Explore botanical gardens and palatial residences on Isola Bella and Isola Madre
See the quaint old houses and traditional fishing boats of Isola dei Pescatori.

Suggested Sightseeing

Isola Bella, Stresa, Piedmont Region

On the map: Isola Bella is one of the 3 Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, less than a quarter mile off Stresa, and can be reached in a few minutes from Verbania, Baveno, Stresa and Arona.

Literally meaning “beautiful island” Isola Bella is a treasure one cannot miss. Dominated by its sumptuous Baroque palace, along with a luxuriant Italian-style garden, laid out on ten terraces and reaching a height over 120 feet. Many parts of the palace are open to visitors: richly furnished rooms and opulent salons are embellished with priceless artworks.  

The garden is full of flowers and exotic plants of great rarity, which grow thanks to the particularly mild climate of the Borromean Gulf. Everything on the island has been designed to create a scenic effect, including the “Theatre” constructed at the end of the superimposed terraces, dominated by a statue of a Unicorn, the heraldic emblem of the Borromeos, which is flanked by statues representing Nature and Art. The huge, extraordinary garden is further decorated with ponds, fountains and a plethora of statues dating from the second half of the 17th century. The white peacocks that wander over the manicured lawns add their grace to this enchanting spot.

Overnight Location

Stresa, Piedmont Region

On the map: Stresa is a town of about 5,000 people on the shores of Lake Maggiore, just across from Verbania, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, about 56 miles (90 km) northwest of Milan. It is on the road and rail routes to the Simplon Pass, a high mountain road between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.

The name of this town first appeared in documents in 998 AD. By the 15th century it had become a fishing community, and eventually ended up under the control of the Borromeo Family. In 1948 Ernest Hemingway visited Stresa—he had set part of his novel, A Farewell to Arms, in the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. Stresa has a front and center view of sunrise over Lake Maggiore. It also has the feel of a bygone era of decadence and elegance. In the center of town, the Piazza Cadorna is shady, and a nice place for coffee or a wine break. There are ancient cobblestone streets that weave through town—they’re perfect for exploring. Enjoy a cable car trip up Monte Mottarone. You’ll have amazing views over the lake, including those of the gorgeous, little islands. Take a ferry to the Borromean Islands and wander the lush gardens. Consider taking The Lago Maggiore Express, a one-day train trip to Domodossola, and switch to the Hundred Valleys train to Locarno, Switzerland. (You can take a ferry back to Stresa.) Stresa is an exceptional town.

Day 5

Accommodation

WorldHotel Casati 18 - Milan, Lombardy Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 12.00pm noon

Included Unique Activities

Small Group Milan City Tour with The Last Supper & Duomo

Everyone needs to visit Milan once in their lives, and what better place to experience this vibrant city than on a comprehensive Milan Walking Tour with Last Supper? We designed the perfect visit to one of the most exclusive paintings in the world – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. You will visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie where you will get privileged access to view this painting in a group as small as 30 people, making it possible to get up close to one of the most prized works of Italian heritage. Your tour begins with a highlight and only gets better from there. Milan Walking Tour with Last Supper will also take you to the San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore which is known as the Sistine Chapel of Milan, an historic pastry shop, the financial district of the city, Milan Duomo and plenty more.

Suggested Sightseeing

Milan, Lombardy Region

On the Map: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome.

Milan is a fast-paced global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it's a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," testify to centuries of art and culture. 

Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Lombardy Region

The Sforzesco Castle, or the Castello Sforzesco is one of the best-known historical buildings in Milan, witness of several historical events in the past centuries. Built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification, it was later renovated and enlarged, in the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Extensively rebuilt by Luca Beltrami in 1891–1905, it now houses several of the city's museums and art collections and has become a symbol of the city itself and of its history.

Overnight Location

Milan, Lombardy Region

On the Map: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome.

Milan is a fast-paced global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it's a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," testify to centuries of art and culture. 

Day 6

Accommodation

WorldHotel Casati 18 - Milan, Lombardy Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 12.00pm noon

Included Unique Activities

Milan Street Food Tour

Rub shoulders with the Milanese locals as you scout out seasonal produce. Here you'll find the best cheeses available, perfect for a chic aperitivo, or the ideal tomatoes to garnish your “cotoletta alla Milanese.” Experience the delights of everyday Milan, behind its fashionable facade, and dive into your destination like a local foodie. Explore your guide’s most trusted artisanal food shops, tasting as you go. Share your passion for Italian gastronomy with other like-minded travelers as you make new friends in this small group, street food tour. 

Suggested Sightseeing

La Scala Opera House, Milan, Lombardy Region

Milan's most opulent spot is undoubtedly the velvet-draped theater known as La Scala (Teatro alla Scala). It is probably the most renowned opera house in the world, known as the premier place to perform or see an opera or ballet. It was commissioned by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria during her cultural enrichment of Milan, which also instituted the Brera Gallery, botanical garden, national library and observatory in the city. The theater has four tiers of separate loggias, gallery seating on the floor, and an upper level known as the Loggione, where the "cheap seats" are located, famous for its enthusiasts through the centuries who either cheered or jeered boisterously.

Royal Palace, Milan, Lombardy Region

One of the most prestigious and history-rich buildings in the city, the Palazzo Reale di Milano (Royal Palace of Milan) in northern Italy's Lombardy region, is a must see for any art aficionado. It has been home to the city government since the 16th century. Its heyday arrived two centuries later under Austrian rule when it was refurbished in neo-classical style with contributions from architects and artists such as Pelagio Palagi and Francesco Hayez. Despite severe bombing during World War II, the Royal Palace has been hosting a flurry of art exhibitions since the 1950s. Between the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, exhibitions will be dedicated to influential Japanese artists such as Hokusai, Hiroshige and Utamaro; the Baroque of Rubens; and sculptures by Arnaldo Pomodoro are planned.

Overnight Location

Milan, Lombardy Region

On the Map: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome.

Milan is a fast-paced global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it's a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," testify to centuries of art and culture. 

Day 7

Accommodation

WorldHotel Casati 18 - Milan, Lombardy Region

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 12.00pm noon

Included Unique Activities

Private Fashion & Design District Tour

Join a special walking tour around the best shopping district in Milan. This itinerary includes the fashion industry’s most dazzling locations and includes museums, showrooms, shops, and galleries by worldwide famous architects and designers. Highlights of the tour may include the Mudec Museum, the Armani Museum by Japanese architect Tadao Ando; or the Gianfranco Ferrè Foundation. The tour ends with a special Aperitivo in the most glamorous cocktail bar in the neighborhood.

Overnight Location

Milan, Lombardy Region

On the Map: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome.

Milan is a fast-paced global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it's a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," testify to centuries of art and culture. 

Day 8

Depart From

Milan, Lombardy Region

On the Map: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome.

Milan is a fast-paced global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it's a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," testify to centuries of art and culture.