Visit the Lakes of Italy; the beauty of the landscapes will surely amaze you! Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, belonging to three regions (Veneto, Lombardy, and Trentino). More than a lake, it looks like a real sea! Its shores are dotted with villages and small towns, medieval fortresses, imposing buildings, and noble villas that add charm to its natural landscape. Lake Como, among the most beautiful lakes in Italy, boasts a great variety of landscapes with nature reserves, enchanting villages, and monumental towns that will make you dream. For those who love long walks, there is the Greenway, a 10 km walk that passes through 7 villages! Lake Maggiore, with no fewer than 11 islands to visit. Countless villages to visit, villas with the most impressive gardens in Europe, a true monument of beauty, nature, and history.
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Il programma
Arrival at Venice airport where the group will meet the tour leader.
The city of Venice has been for 1100 years the capital of the Serenissima Republic of Venice and, for this reason, is known (and sometimes also called) the “Serenissima”, the “Dominant” and the “Queen of the Adriatic”. For its urban peculiarities and its artistic heritage, it is universally considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and declared,
with its lagoon, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has contributed to make Venice the second Italian city most visit by tourists (the first is Rome) .
Transfer by coach to Mestre, the main center of the Venetian mainland, a mainly modern and industrial city, where traces of its ancient past linked to the Serenissima can still be found. Arrival at the hotel and check in. Briefing with the tour leader who will explain the tour program.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and departure with the tour leader by train to Venice Santa Lucia, where we will meet the local guide. Starting from the area of the Santa Lucia district, you will cross the most famous and unique alleys and neighborhoods of the city, including the Venice Ghetto and the Cannaregio district. The Ghetto was the neighborhood where Jews were segregated during the period of the Republic of Venice. It is located in the Cannaregio district and it still is the hub of the Jewish community in Venice, were beautiful synagogues and other religious institutions will be found. The lively Cannaregio district is also known for the “Strada Nova”, the famous shopping street, full of artisan shops where you are literally “enchanted” by the beauty of the most unusual and extraordinarily decorated masks of the famous Venetian characters. Even the side streets are still important destinations for lovers of crafts and vintage products. Restaurants, bars and clubs are located along the canal line and passing through Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta dei Ormesini (other important Venetian neighborhoods), we will arrive at the sumptuous Ca’ d’Oro palace (external visit), home to a unique Renaissance art collection. After this beautiful and interesting walk through the most unique and suggestive alleys, streets and neighborhoods of the city, we will reach the immense and unique Piazza San Marco dominated by the homonymous church, the Basilica of San Marco, with its imposing bell tower, whose images are known all over the world and from the famous Doges Palace (external visit of the monuments and palaces).
Free time for lunch and for afternoon to discover Venice by yourself, having the opportunity to go shopping in one of the most unique and suggestive city in the world.
Late afternoon, back to Mestre by boat and by train. Free time for dinner and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader. Departure by bus to Verona, the city of lovers par excellence!
The city is immersed in the gentle pre-alpine hills, the Po Valley, the river, vineyards and olive trees, which give to the city a mild climate all over the year. Meeting with the local guide and panoramic bus tour with non-stop passage from the Renaissance walls, the Basilica of San Zeno, the Scaligero Castle, the Romani Bridge and Theater.
Walking tour of this pretty town in the old city center, crossing the greatest historical and artistic places as the famous Piazza Bra (the largest square in Verona, where the grandiose amphitheater is located, better known as the Verona Arena – external visit -, one of the attractions most popular in the city and one of the best preserved monuments from the time of the Roman Empire), Piazza delle Erbe and, along an enchanting alley, the Juliet’s house and balcony where, according to what Shakespeare told us, Romeo declared the his love to Juliet. The walk continues to Piazza dei Signori, the Arche Scaligere and numerous other glimpses of Roman and medieval Verona. Free time for lunch.
After lunch, departure by bus to the suggestive landscape of the Valpolicella hills. Stop at a farm to visit it and to taste the famous wine of the area, Amarone. The wine will be accompanied by products that enhance its flavor, you will discover the genuineness and passion with which the family has been producing this nectar with a unique and refined taste for years.
After the visit we will reach the south of Garda Lake, which is the largest Italian lake for size. The hills which surround it, offer a mild landscape which make the lake as an important tourist destination, visited every year by millions of people .
Accommodation in a hotel in the Desenzano del Garda area or surroundings. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader. Departure by bus to Garda and bus tour of the south of the lake crossing (without stopping) the most famous and well-known places of this magnificent lake and enjoying a magical atmosphere with Mediterranean flavors: Peschiera del Garda, Castelnuovo del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino, up to Garda. Garda is one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Riviera degli Ulivi, the town is located in one of the most beautiful coves on the Veronese coast of the lake; it is the place that gave its name to the lake, which derives from the German word “warte” (guard, lookout) and refers to the fortress, which in the Middle Ages was one of the most important observation points. In Garda there are numerous villas and palaces, the most beautiful and noteworthy are the Palazzo dei Capitani, Villa Alberini, Villa Canossa and the Hermitage of San Giorgio sulla Rocca. In Garda you can easily wander around for the wonderful walks on the lake and its small harbor full of typical Italian boats is one of the most loved photographic subjects.
Suggestive boat tour from Garda to Sirmione. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Sirmione. In the afternoon, walking tour of Sirmione, where we will visit (from outside) the Rocca Scaligera and the Grottoes of Catullus, ruins of an ancient Imperial Villa. Free time in Sirmione.
Return by bus to the hotel. Free time for dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader. Departure at about 07:45 by bus to Como (about 2 hours trip) where you will meet the local guide. Como has always been recognized as a renowned tourist destination of the Lario, (other name of Como Lake) which it is located in the Lombardy region on the western branch of the lake, it is an elegant and very vital town: its center is always animated all the year. With an international flair, Como finds its roots in the 1st century BC. in Roman times. Departure by motorboat to Bellagio, crossing medieval villages, Romanesque churches, breathtaking views, unexpected waterfalls, parks and villas. Villas once owned by the Milanese aristocracy, then by the nobles of the Grand Tour and now owned by most of the VIPs, such as the famous and amazing “Villa Oleandra” in Moltrasio, now George Clooney’s property. After about 2 hours of navigation we will arrive in Bellagio for a guided tour of the village characterized by steps and arcades full of shops. Free time for lunch and for enjoying the splendid climate of the charming town. In the early afternoon continuation of the guided tour by boat from Bellagio to Varenna, one of the most romantic and suggestive villages on the lake. Return by catamaran from Varenna to Como.
Transfer to the hotel in Como. Free time for dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader and the guide for the guided tour of Como. Departure from Piazza Roma, guided walking tour of the city center through its beautiful squares: Piazza Cavour, Piazza Volta, Piazza San Fedeli and Pizza Verdi, passing among the ancient houses, the historic buildings, the characteristic streets and towers, the extraordinary medieval walls, the beautiful Basilica of San Fedele (from outside), up to the enchanting Duomo, with a visit to its very fascinating and rich interior. Free time for enjoying Como by yourself and for lunch.
In the early afternoon, departure by bus to Lugano Lake, located at the southern end of Ticino, the holiday region south of the Alpine chain, and extends its branches to the Italian territory. Thanks to the mild climate, influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, lemons also grow here and vacationers can sunbathe under the palm trees. Visit of Lugano with a relaxing walk through Via Nassa, Piazza del Municipio, Piazza della Riforma until reaching the wonderful civic park, the Ciani.
Continue by bus to Maggiore Lake, one of the most beautiful Italian lakes that has enchanted great Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here. Considered the largest of the pre-alpine lakes, from which the name of Maggiore (“the most”), it has glacial origin and its shores belong to Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. Among the beauties of this lake are its 11 islands: between Stresa and Verbania, the archipelago of the Borromean Islands with Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. Splendid villas and imposing fortresses and castles rise around the lake and all are the proof that the history and culture of this enchanted place are fascinating. Nature lovers will find in this lake the ideal place to spend their holidays thanks to the existence of countless botanical gardens.
Arrival at the hotel in one of the most suggestive places on the lake, like Stresa, Belgirate or surroundings.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader. Transfer by bus to Stresa and from there, by boat for the tour of the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre. First stop for the visit of Isola Bella with entrance to the splendid Palazzo Borromeo with a guided tour of the palace and the wonderful Italian garden set on ten terraces sloping down to the lake. Continuation of the boat tour with a second stop at Isola dei Pescatori, the smallest of the islands of the archipelago is characterized by its ancient alleys and suggestive and enchanting views. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon continuation of the excursion with the third stop to visit Isola Madre, which is the largest of the archipelago, and which thanks to its botanical heritage and strong exotic footprint have made it the most voluptuous place seen in the world .
Return by boat to Stresa. Free time.
Return by bus to the hotel and free time for dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and meeting with the tour leader. Transfer to Milan airport.
Depending on flight departure time, you will have free time.