The lakeside town of Menaggio on Lake Como
The lakeside town of Menaggio on Lake Como

Milan & the Italian Lakes

  • Duration8 Nights
  • StylePrivate Tour
  • When to GoApr - Oct
  • Price Guide:
    From £5,950 pp
    Price includes all accommodation, experiences, guided tours and transfers. Price is based on traveling off-peak and may increase if travelling over peak season dates. Price excludes international flights but these can be arranged on request.
Explore the vibrant city of Milan and the Italian lakes on this 8-night tour. Your journey begins in Milan, where you’ll tour the city and view Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. Leaving the city, you’ll begin your exploration of three lakes, first visiting Lake Como. You’ll travel at a leisurely pace, mixing time spent exploring the lake by boat and e-bike with a private guide along with time spent exploring on you own. From Lake Como you’ll journey to Lake Maggiore, known for its lush gardens and the pretty Borromean Islands. Your last night will be spent in the lesser-known Lake Orta, a tranquil lake located close to Milan Malpensa Airport where you can relax and unwind before your journey home.

At a Glance

  • Days 1 - 2
    • Milan

      • Arrival into Milan & private transfer to your hotel
      • Private half-day walking tour of Milan with the Last Supper
  • Days 3 - 5
    • Lake Como

      • Private transfer to Lake Como
      • Private half-day boat tour of Lake Como with Villa Balbianello
      • Private half-day e-bike tour of Lake Como and Lake Lugano
  • Days 6 - 7
    • Lake Maggiore

      • Private transfer to Lake Maggiore
      • Private full-day boat tour exploring the Borromean Islands
  • Days 8 - 9
    • Lake Orta

      • Private transfer to Lake Orta
      • Private transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport
  • Meet Our Expert

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    Stephen

    Europe Specialist

    I specialize in complex tailor made journeys with an aim for the experience to be seamless and for the travel to go beyond the ordinary to allow for transformative and unforgettable memories.

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    What's Included

    • 8 nights in 4 or 5-star accommodation
    • Daily breakfast at all hotels
    • Private arrival and departure airport transfers
    • All mentioned airport transfers and road transport on a private basis
    • All mentioned tours and sightseeing on a private basis with private driver and English-speaking local guides
    • Entrance fees for any mentioned sightseeing, permits, local taxes, etc
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated staff
    • Flexible, personalized itinerary based on your interests

    What's not Included

    • International flights from your country of origin
    • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, hotel staff
    • Any meals, tours, or activities other than those specifically mentioned in itinerary

    Day by Day Itinerary

    • DAY 1

      Milan: Arrival into Milan

      Milan: Arrival into MilanMilan: Arrival into Milan image 2

      Your Milan & Italian Lakes exploration begins with your arrival into Milan Malpensa Airport. Your private driver will be there to welcome you and provide transfer to your hotel in the city, an international capital of fashion, architecture, and industrial design as well as Italy’s hub for commerce and finance. After settling in you might go out to explore Milan’s cafe culture and enjoy an espresso while watching the world go by, or head to the Navigli area of the city and have an aperitivo on the edge of a canal.

      Accommodation Options:

      • the square milano duomo exterior front view

        The Square Milano Duomo

      • Hyatt Milan main

        Park Hyatt Milan

    • DAY 2

      Milan: Half-Day Milan Walking Tour

      Milan: Half-Day Milan Walking TourMilan: Half-Day Milan Walking Tour image 2

      Today you’ll be met by an expert guide for a tour of the city, including a visit to Santa Maria Delle Grazie church where you’ll see da Vinci’s famous mural, The Last Supper. Delve into Renaissance times, the city’s golden era, when the powerful Sforza family hoped to turn it into northern Italy’s artistic capital, inviting some of the greatest artists of the period, including da Vinci and Bramante. When you marvel at da Vinci’s remarkable mural, you might look for hidden messages in the painting as so many others do, having been inspired by the thriller novel/film, The Da Vinci Code. Your tour also includes a visit to Castello Sforzesco which holds the last unfinished masterpiece by Michelangelo, Rondanini Pietà.

      Take the rest of the day to explore at leisure, perhaps exploring the city’s famous shopping districts, or enjoying a drink in a cafe in Piazza Duomo while taking in the views. For an amazing view over it all, head to one of the rooftop terraces at the Duomo.

    • DAY 3

      Milan to Lake Como

      Milan to Lake ComoMilan to Lake Como image 2

      Following a relaxed final morning in Milan, a private transfer escorts you from the city’s avenues to the serene shores of Lake Como. You spend the next three nights in Menaggio, a small lakeside town that’s located in the middle of the lake allowing for panoramic views of the lake and the mountains that surround it. Settle into your accommodation before spending the afternoon exactly as you please. You may wish to lounge by the pool, gaze out over the water, or wander around the village, exploring its narrow streets and alleyways.

      Accommodation Options:

      • Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa Beach Exterior

        Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa

      • Grand Hotel Tremezzo main

        Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Como

    • DAY 4

      Lake Como: Half-Day Private Boat Tour of Lake Como

      Lake Como: Half-Day Private Boat Tour of Lake ComoLake Como: Half-Day Private Boat Tour of Lake Como image 2

      Step aboard a private, open-top Venetian water taxi for a half-day guided tour along Lake Como’s western shores. As you glide comfortably across the water, your guide will share the fascinating histories of the grand lakeside estates that line the coast. You will step ashore to explore Villa del Balbianello, renowned for its exquisite Italian design and role as a backdrop in famous films. You’ll explore its beautiful gardens before continuing your journey back to your hotel.

      This afternoon you can choose to do as you wish. The popular town of Bellagio, often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Como” is easily accessible by ferry and is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon meandering the narrow alleys of the old town. You could also choose to visit the magnificent early 19th-century Villa Melzi, a private villa with gardens that are open to the public. The garden’s axis ascends the slope from the lakeshore to a high point above the villa and is crossed by multiple meandering paths. The Roman statues, Egyptian sculptures, and Japanese ponds add to the romantic atmosphere.

    • DAY 5

      Lake Como: E-Bike Tour of Lake Como & Lake Lugano

      Lake Como: E-Bike Tour of Lake Como & Lake LuganoLake Como: E-Bike Tour of Lake Como & Lake Lugano image 2

      Discover the quiet beauty of the region on a private e-bike tour that winds through the pristine landscapes between Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Leaving the lakeshore behind, you will ride with your private guide into the peaceful Val Sanagra nature reserve, passing ancient water mills and historic stone houses. The gentle route carries you upward toward mountain villages like Velzo and Naggio, flanked by lush vineyards and green fields. Your ride concludes with a sweeping downhill descent toward the serene shores of Lake Lugano, finishing in the Renaissance village of Cardano.

    • DAY 6

      Lake Como to Lake Maggiore

      Lake Como to Lake MaggioreLake Como to Lake Maggiore image 2

      In the late morning, a private transfer brings you from Lake Como to the elegant shores of Lake Maggiore. Your destination is Stresa, the lake’s main town, where your boutique accommodation sits perfectly positioned overlooking the lake. The rest of the day is yours to unwind at your own pace. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lakefront promenade admiring the grand buildings and villas that line the lake shore, or retreat to the hotel’s rooftop pool to take in the panoramic alpine scenery.

       

      • Boutique Hotel Stresa Hotel external view (420 280)

        Boutique Hotel Stresa

      • Hotel La Palma Hotel external view lake side pool (420 280)

        Hotel La Palma

    • DAY 7

      Lake Maggiore: Half-Day Borromean Islands by Private Boat

      Lake Maggiore: Half-Day Borromean Islands by Private BoatLake Maggiore: Half-Day Borromean Islands by Private Boat image 2

      Meet your expert local guide in Stresa to embark on a full-day, private boat tour of the magnificent Borromean Islands. Your first stop is Isola Bella, where a simple fishing settlement was transformed into a lavish palace surrounded by extraordinary Baroque gardens. Next, you may choose to explore either the rare botanical wonders of Isola Madre or the charming, narrow alleys of Isola dei Pescatori, the archipelago’s only inhabited island. After a leisurely lunch at a highly recommended local restaurant, you will continue uncovering the island’s unique heritage before your private boat returns you to Stresa.

    • DAY 8

      Lake Maggiore to Lake Orta

      Lake Maggiore to Lake OrtaLake Maggiore to Lake Orta image 2

      Your private driver will pick you up and driven you to the tranquil shores of Lake Orta, the most secluded and intimate of the Italian lakes. Located conveniently close to Milan, this lake offers an atmosphere of pure relaxation. Settle into your refined lakeside retreat and spend your final full day unwinding among the quiet beauty of the water. Whether enjoying the hotel facilities or exploring the lake, the day is yours at leisure.

      • Casa Fantini Lake Time external view with pool (420 280)

        Casa Fantini Lake Time

    • DAY 9

      Milan: Departure

      Milan: DepartureMilan: Departure image 2

      This morning you’ll want to get your bags packed and ready for departure. A transfer will take you to the short journey to Milan Malpensa Airport airport for your departure flight home.

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