Enchanting Waters: Discovering the Lakes of Italy, Self-Drive

Choose this self-drive tour in the Lombardy region and spend 8 memorable days exploring the beautiful landscapes and culture of Italy. Visit mesmerising lakes of Maggiore, Como and Garda, take a boat to Bellagio and admire the beauty and tranquillity of the scenery that surrounds you. Walk through the medieval streets of Bergamo and visit Verona, a city full of history. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for a lifetime.  

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Lake Maggiore: located on the south side of the Alps is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes in Italy

Lake Como: set at the foothills of the Alps, the third-largest lake in Italy is known for its dramatic scenery 

Bergamo: a charming town with Word Heritage Venetian walls that surround the city

Verona: a city that offers some evidence of every era: Roman, medieval, Renaissance. It’s famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet"

Day 1: ARRIVAL MALPENSA OR LINATE AIRPORT / CAR HIRE PICK-UP – LAKE MAGGIORE (60km – 1hr / 115km – 1.5hr)

Arrival at the Milan Malpensa or Linate Airport and pick-up the car. Night spent in the region of Lake Maggiore. Please note that this tour is a suggested itinerary. While the sites listed may be visited independently, the package does not cover any applicable entrance or tour fees.

Overnight in Lake Maggiore area.

Day 2: LAKE MAGGIORE: STRESA AND THE BORROMEO ISLANDS

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is entirely dedicated to the discovery of Lake Maggiore. Leaving from the loading dock of Stresa by ferryboat to visit, by crossing the Borromeo bay, the three islands of this little archipelago: L’Isola Bella, l’Isola Madre and l’Isola dei Pescatori. On the Isola Bella the Borromeo Palace will be visited where it is possible to admire the thirty main rooms distributed over two floors. Recently the gallery of the “General Berthier” was opened to the public. The baroque garden of the Isola Bella, which is composed of 10 terraces, is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens of Italy. The next island is L’isola dei Pescatori, which has still 50 inhabitants and was built in the sixth century. Its main characteristics are the narrow streets, the little boutiques and many restaurants which serve mainly the fish of the lake. There is also a very beautiful little church consecrated to San Vittore. And to finish off, the last Island to visit is L’Isola Madre, where the English-style botanical gardens dominate the scene with thousands of plants and flowers. In the palace there are period furniture and the puppet theatre. In the garden of the Isola Madre the peacocks, the pheasant and the parrots combined together, create a joyous atmosphere.

Overnight in Lake Maggiore area.

Day 3: LAKE MAGGIORE – LAKE COMO – LAKE MAGGIORE (250km – 5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lake Como. You will succumb to the charm of this region and discover an explosion of Mediterranean colours of the gardens filled with camellias, oleanders and luxurious palm trees around the light blue lakes. In Lenno it will be possible to visit Villa Balbianiello and then in Cernobbio Villa d’Este. Moving on to Tramezzo where you will visit Villa Carlotta, an example of life of the nobility of Lombardy. They loved living in very beautiful houses surrounded by magnificent gardens and full of treasures of art. Villa Carlotta houses works of Canova, Tadolini and Thorvaldesen. Departure by boat (pax + car) of Cadenabbia (near Villa Carlotta) to Bellagio, known as “the pearl of the lake”, a “charming villa full of history”. Here we will walk to La Punta Spartivento where you will be able to admire the bifurcation of the lake and the mountains which surround this enchanting landscape. Then visit some magnificent gardens of Villa Melzi, in addition to the visit of the superb Botanical Garden. Departure to Como and short visit of the city, where we suggest you see some examples of very different but very interesting architecture: The Dome with the Cupolas of Filippo Juvara and la Casa del Fascio (House of the Fascists) which is an extraordinary example of Italian rationalism. You will have the possibility to do an excursion by funicular to Brunate, to admire the breathtaking view over Lake Como. At the end of the afternoon, you will leave for Lake Garda. Night spent in the region of Lake Maggiore.

Overnight in Lake Maggiore area.

Day 4: LAKE MAGGIORE – BERGAMO – LAKE GARDA (225km – 4.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Bergamo and stop to visit the upper city (by funicular). Though the medieval streets, which still have their charm, we will go up to “la Rocca”, an ancient defensive point where you will be able to admire an unexpected view of the lower city and the valleys in the surroundings. Then we will arrive at Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the city, in which there are the ancient palaces of the city and the impressive “Campanone”. The majestic and unique Piazza del Duomo will welcome us with its basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, gem of the roman art, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Chapelle Colleoni, unique gem of the Renaissance. Then walk “la Corsarola”, the main street of the upper city with many ancient and modern shops, restaurants and cafés. Continuation to Lake Garda with a stop in the peninsula of Sirmione to visit this beautiful little city. We will visit the Scaliger caste (lords della Scala, of Verona), a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by the waters of the lake. The view of the dungeon is splendid. The visit of the famous caves of Catullo is very interesting and rich in terms of the views over the lake. It is a large ancient Roman villa. Take a stroll in this beautiful city and admire also the splendid villas, such as the villa of Maria Callas. Night spent in the region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in Lake Garda area.

Day 5: LAKE GARDA – VERONA – BORGHETTO – PARCO SIGURTÁ – LAKE GARDA (55km – 1hr)

Breakfast at the hotel. You cannot miss to visit Verona. The most beautiful places to see are: the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre, the symbol of the city where plenty of prestigious concerts take place and also the famous Verona festival (dedicated to the opera); the house of Juliette with its balcony; Piazza delleErbe, Piazza dei Signori; the Basilica of San Zeno, to understand that Verona is a city that offers some evidence of every era: Roman, medieval, Renaissance. In the afternoon you will go to Borghetto sul Mincio, considered one of the most beautiful small villages of Italy. Not far from Borghettosul Mincio you will find Parco Giardino Sigurtà, an extraordinary public park with a beautiful English-style garden. For anyone with an interest in history, you are very close to Solferino with its battlefield and where the Red Cross was created. Night spent in the region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in Lake Garda area.

Day 6: LAKE GARDA: WESTERM SHORE & NORTH SIDE OF LAKE GARDA LIMONE – RIVA DEL GARDA – LAKE GARDA (186km – 2.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. You will arrive at Torri del Benaco and then by ferry you will reach Tescolano Maderno on the western shore of the lake. You will keep heading northand stop at Gargnano, where it is possible to see the ancient orangeries. Through the panoramic road by way of Tignale and Tremosine, you will arrive at Limone sul Garda, the small harbour known for its mild climate. In the afternoon continue moving north to visit Lake Ledro, where there is the reconstruction of a prehistoric village and the Museum (not to be missed if you have kids between 8 and 15 years). You will go to Riva del Garda, the most northern point of the lake in the province of Trento. A beautiful little city, a paradise for surfers. In high season we suggest you reach Pregasina, 7 km from Riva, with a unique view over the lake. Night spent in the south-eastern region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in Lake Garda area.

Day 7: LAKE GARDA – MILAN (150km – 2hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Milan, this day is entirely dedicated to the visit of the city, from Piazza del Duomo where you can admire the Duomo, which is one of the most important symbols of Milan. From Piazza del Duomo you will go to the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, which was built around 1870 and it is called “Salotto di Milano”. Your tour will continue by way of the Galleria, you will walk to Piazza della Scala, where it is possible to see the famous theatre La Scala, the “temple of Opera”. From Piazza della Scala, the next place to visit will be Castello Sforzesco. This large building was the siege of Sforza, the Dukes of Milan. In the middle of Piazza Sempione there is l’Arco della Pace, a 25-metre tall monument from the Napoleonic period. It was built in the neoclassical style and decorated with the marble sculpture and the Corinthian columns. You will be able to admire the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, but, most importantly, do not miss the visit of La Cena of Leonardo da Vinci inside the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which must be booked in advance). Lastly you will walk and go shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele or in the famous Via Montenapoleone, the kingdom of famous fashion brands. Night spent in Milan.

Overnight in Milan.

Day 8: MILAN – DEPARTURE MALPENSA OR LINATE (50km – 1hr / 10km – 20min)

Breakfast at the hotel. Delivery of the vehicle at the Milan airports (Malpensa or Linate) and departure to your following destination.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for traveling in Italy. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.