8 days The Magic Of The Italian Lakes
Discover the beauty of the Italian Lakes on this magnificent vacation. With the Alps for a backdrop, you’ll enjoy nature at its finest-with overnights in Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore. Plus, on this affordable Italian Lakes tour, you’ll spend one night in Milan, known as one of the world’s fashion capitals. Additionally, walk around medieval Verona, famous for the Roman Arena, home of the summer Opera Festival. Situated at the foot of the Alps, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake. With a temperate climate, you can relax and restore harmony to your life, participate in optional excursions, and enjoy the local specialties, such as wine and extra virgin olive oil. With its cobalt-blue waters surrounded by majestic mountains, Lake Como is one of Europe’s deepest lakes. Lake Como is lined with elegant 17th-century villas and lush gardens; it’s the perfect destination. You will enjoy a scenic boat trip to Bellagio and Varenna, both picturesque towns on Lake Como’s shores, where nature and culture come together. Explore the centuries-old buildings, cobbled stairways, cafes and shops. Lake Maggiore is a paradise of crystal waters, backed by towering mountains and surrounded by lush countryside. With its prestigious Italian gardens, intriguing palaces, and scenic landscapes, you can choose to relax or enjoy some of the many activities available. On the way to Lake Maggiore, you’ll travel to Lugano, set on gorgeous Lake Lugano, shared between Italy and Switzerland. Here-with a Mediterranean ambiance-you can stroll along the lakeside promenade or simply unwind as you enjoy a delicious gelato. Over centuries, Italy’s great lakes have been among Europe’s favorite vacation destinations, providing enchanting landscapes and a relaxing ambiance. Now is your time to enjoy them on this affordable Italian Lakes tour. It’s a lovely vacation, perfect for savvy, value-minded travelers.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRIVE IN MILAN, ITALY | Check into your hotel in Milan. Start exploring with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. |
| 2 | MILAN–SIRMIONE–LAKE GARDA | Start the day with an orientation tour of Milan, stopping to admire the famous Gothic-style Duomo. Travel east through the Po Valley, then catch your first glimpses of Lake Garda as you stop in Sirmione, the picturesque spa town on the south shore of Lake Garda. Stroll among the many shops and ice cream parlors that line the narrow cobblestone streets. Continue to your hotel on Lake Garda. Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 km (B,D) |
| 3 | LAKE GARDA | Enjoy a whole day at leisure in this beautiful area, situated at the foot of the Alps and surrounded by mountains to the north and the gentle slopes of moraine hills to the south. Check out the optional excursions available. (B) |
| 4 | LAKE GARDA–VERONA–LAKE COMO | This morning, visit the romantic, medieval city of Verona and enjoy some time at leisure. Continue to fascinating Lake Como, where you’ll spend two nights. Today’s Distance: 205 mi/ 330 km (B,D) |
| 5 | LAKE COMO. EXCURSION TO BELLAGIO AND VARENNA | Inspiring everyone from Roman senators and great composers to Hollywood actors, Como is the romantic image of the lakes. Its cobalt-blue waters are lined with magnificent mountains, lush gardens, and grand villas. Join the included boat trip to Bellagio, set in one of the most scenic position in all of Italy, and Varenna, an old fishing village. (B,D) |
| 6 | LAKE COMO–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND–LAKE MAGGIORE, ITALY | Depart Lake Como and cross the border into Switzerland. Head towards beautiful Lake Lugano and the stylish city that bears its name. Time to stroll along the lakeside promenade, window shop on refined Via Nassa, or sip an espresso on the Piazza Riforma. Leave Switzerland and cross back into Italy, driving to Lake Maggiore. Today’s Distance: 87 mi/ 140 km (B) |
| 7 | LAKE MAGGIORE | Set between Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore is a paradise of crystal waters, backed by towering mountains and surrounded by lush countryside. The day is yours to relax or to enjoy some of the many activities available around the lake. Maybe join an optional boat trip to the Borromean Islands of Pescatori and Isola Bella, with time to visit the extravagant Borromeo Palace, built like a ship anchored just off the shoreline. (B,D) |
| 8 | LAKE MAGGIORE | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Milan.) (B) |