Scenic road trip in the Italian Lake District
During this 10-day self-drive trip, explore the dazzling beauty of northern Italy’s lake district; dotted with dreamy lakes set against the majestic foothills of the Alps. These spectacular landscapes have inspired poets, painters, and musicians for centuries!
Highlights of this tour include; exploration of the magnificent Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, a full-day boat tour of the Borromean Islands, hiking through the mountains set beside Lake Maggiore, a winery visit and tasting, and a tour of hazelnut groves. Discover storybook lakeside towns, palatial villas, stately gardens, and the chic ambiance that draws in celebrities from across the globe.
Services
Included:
- Nine nights accommodation in four or five-star hotels
- Daily breakfast & one lunch
- Eight days car rental
- Airport transfers on arrival & departure days
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide on excursions
- Private walking tour of Milan
- Entrance ticket for the Villa Carlotta
- Private boat tour of the Borromean Islands
- Winery & wine tasting in Monferrato
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Hotel extras
- Any expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances
- Petrol & parking fees
Optional:
- Additional excursions; please ask your local experts for more information
Itinerary at a Glance
Milan
Welcome to Italy!
Milan
Exploring Milan
Milan - Lake Como
Drive to Lake Como
Lake Como - Bellagio - Lake Como
A boat to Bellagio & Tremezzo
Lake Como - Lake Maggiore
Hiking Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore - Borromean Islands - Lake Maggiore
Set sail on Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore
A day on the railway
Lake Maggiore - Monferrato - Alba
Wine tasting in Monferrato
Alba
Discover hazelnut production
Alba - Milan
Goodbye, Italy
Detailed Itinerary
Milan
Day 1: Welcome to Italy!
Welcome to Italy! Upon your arrival at Milan Airport, you'll be greeted and transferred directly to your hotel in the center of Milan - this marks the beginning of your Italian adventure.
Milan
Day 2: Exploring Milan
It's time to explore Milan. Grab breakfast and meet your guide for a private walking tour of Milan and the Duomo; one of the largest churches in the world whose construction lasted over 400 years.
After a morning of exploring the city, head to the Cenacolo Vinciano Museum, home to 'The Last Supper' considered to be the most important mural painting in the world.
Milan - Lake Como
Day 3: Drive to Lake Como
Check out of your hotel and head to Milan Central Train Station to pick up your rental car, then it's time to drive to Lake Como!
Once you arrive, check in to your accommodation and have the rest of the day to explore as you wish. Como has a long history as being the center for Italy's silk manufacturing, so it's a great shopping destination.
Lake Como - Bellagio - Lake Como
Day 4: A boat to Bellagio & Tremezzo
Take the public boat at the port of Como and sail to Bellagio. You have some time at leisure to discover Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como. Here you can find gardens galore!
After a few hours, take a boat from Bellagio to Tremezzo. Once in Tremezzo, visit Villa Carlotta. The villa welcomes its visitors with a magnificent botanical garden and masterpieces of art on over 70,000 square meters of garden and museum space.
As evening comes, take a boat back to Como and find somewhere for a nice evening meal.
Lake Como - Lake Maggiore
Day 5: Hiking Lake Maggiore
Take the short drive to Lake Maggiore, this will be your base for the next few days.
Today, how about a short walk or hike? There are several walks that are suitable for most abilities in and around Stresa. Take as long as you'd like exploring the area as you have the whole day free.
Lake Maggiore - Borromean Islands - Lake Maggiore
Day 6: Set sail on Lake Maggiore
Today you sail on Lake Maggiore and admire all the incredible scenery!
A full-day guided tour of the Borromean Islands awaits. The Borromean Islands are a group of three small islands and two islets located in the western arm of the lake. There is so much to see, quaint houses, fishing villages, and crystal waters.
Lake Maggiore
Day 7: A day on the railway
Another day of fun awaits. Explore the lake and valleys on board the Lake Maggiore boat and the Centovalli Train.
The Centovalley Train and Lake Maggiore Express is a day's round trip by narrow gauge train and ferry - cruise between the many lakeside towns, up to the northern part of Lake Maggiore.
Lake Maggiore - Monferrato - Alba
Day 8: Wine tasting in Monferrato
It's time to hit the road again. Today, you'll drive to the Langhe region! Once you arrive, settle in before taking a short journey to a local winery in Monferrato. Monferrato produces many excellent wines that are known worldwide, such as Barbera.
Take a tour of the winery before enjoying a tasting.
Alba
Day 9: Discover hazelnut production
The Langhe region may be known for its wine, but it's also home to some of the best hazelnuts in the world, which are also used to make the famous 'Nutella'.
Today, visit a local producer and take a tour of the hazelnut groves where you will learn how hazelnuts are grown (you'll also get to do lots of tasting).
Alba - Milan
Day 10: Goodbye, Italy
Your last day has arrived, check-out of your hotel and drive to Milan Airport where you'll drop off your rental car and take your safe flight home! Goodbye, Italy.
