Culture and Traditions crossing the Italian Lakes

Day 1

Arrival in Milan APT, where you will be waited in the Hertz Car Rental in Milan where you will take your car - Jeep Renegade, Nissan X-Trail or similar with automatic engine and CASCO insurance - With your new car, you will reach your hotel, a small piece of paradise in Stresa, which combines sumptuous elegance and tradition with the charm of the Italian luxury Grand Hotels. You will be close to Milano, on the shores of lake Maggiore. For the first day, we suggest to enjoy and relax the panoramas and the Italian flavours of the Lake.

Day 2

In the morning, after a great breakfast, your guide will lead you to the famous town of Stresa, located more than 650 feet above sea level with a view of the Borromean Islands. The local market brims with vendors with bright, fresh flowers and arrays of locally made cheeses and cured meats on offer. Board your ferry and make your way with your guide to reach Isola Bella, known for the grand palace and garden adorned with grottoes. 

Day 3

In the morning, after the breakfast, you will drive along the scenic route and into the Italian Alps to reach the town of Lake Como. For today, we propose a great exclusive private boat excursion in the Lake, discovering all the magnificent Villas that looks on the Lake, where the first one is certainly Villa del Balbianello, one of the most important Italian Unesco site, followed by Villa Carlotta, till Bellagio, a picturesque and romantic centre in the hearth of the Lake.

Day 4

After the breakfast, the direction for today is Milan, where you will meet your private guide who will lead you on an immersive exploration of Milan’s captivating highlights, beginning at the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Enter into the refectory to find Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, which was crafted in the 1490s and continues to captivate viewers with its representation of Jesus and the Apostles during the final meal. Continue your exploration of the city at Castello Sforzesco for a glimpse of the formerly powerful families that ruled the region of Lombardy from behind the dramatic gate tower. 

Day 5

Today you will experience a unique day in the shoreline of Lake Orta and the medieval cobbled lanes of the eponymous town. Locals refer to Orta as a secret hideaway from the movement of Lakes Como and Maggiore. After touring the town, you can continue to a cheese cellar run by a fifth generation artisan devoted the variety of Italian cheeses. In the tasting room, your guide will pair a selection of the cheeses with a tasting of the wines crafted at the local winery for a unique balance of flavours you never before imagined. 

Day 6

Verona… the town of Love… at your arrival, your private guide will escort you on a tour of the city and bring the connection between the gorgeous architecture, narrow lanes, and Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. You will reach the home of Juliet Capulet, located near Piazza delle Erbe and pass through the arched tunnel that leads to the courtyard. Love letters asking for the spirit of Juliet to help in matters of the heart spill out of the cracks in the walls of the tunnel, and the courtyard features a decorative balcony situated above a bronze statue of Juliet. In the late afternoon, you will reach the Hotel in the Lake Garda, the perfect a mix of comfort, modern sensibility, extraordinary style with an exceptional level of service in a unique, contemporary, and friendly environment. 

Day 7

Wake up with a view of Italy’s largest lake that fills more than 142 square miles. Vineyards roll along the hills and valleys of the southern shoreline as sailboats take to the sweeping winds of the northern waters in view of the staggering cliffs. The day is yours to indulge in the beauty of the landscape and the relaxed pace around the villas of Garda as you enjoy the view of the harbour from the cafes along the promenade. 

Day 8

After the breakfast, direct transfer with high speed train to Venice. Here you will meet your guide who will escort in a fascinating walking tour of Venice to admire the most important and characteristic locations of this unique city. We can combine the walking tour with a panoramic tour by water taxi, with your private guide on board. In the late afternoon, you will reach Verona with high speed train and, finally, the hotel with a private transfer. 

Day 9

Mantova, the city of the Gonzaga dynasty, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2008) and one of the most fascinating cities in northern Italy…. Your private guide will take you to the Ducal Palace, which is so grand and complete that it could be a city - with over 500 rooms, courtyards and gardens. You will see then the Palazzo del Capitano in Piazza Sordello and the nearby Piazza delle Erbe, accessible via a series of arcades.... In the eastern part of the city, the Palazzo Te makes for a worthy visit: a sprawling, and luxurious villa boasting monumental art and interiors, it is considered the most celebrated work of architect Giulio Romano. In the late afternoon, you will come back to the hotel. 

Day 10

Today we propose a tour full of flavours and traditions... in the morning, you will drive towards Modena, the medieval town of the Balsamic Vinegar. Gastronomy thrives within and along the medieval cobbled lanes of Modena. Your guide will escort you to traverse the arcaded streets and marvellous piazzas, grand palaces, and elaborate gardens as Ghirlandina Tower adorns the skyline at the height of more than 550 feet. Your guide will explain that to know Modena, you must understand the history and cultural significance of their famously sweet and tart vinegar and finally, in the tasting room, you will enjoy a private sampling of the vinegar produced on the property and find flavours of fig, molasses, and chocolate. 

Day 11

After your sweet awakening on Lake Garda, you will reach Firenze, till your hotel, a Renaissance historical villa, completely restored and transformed into a 5-star luxury hotel, ready to be discovered so as to provide an emotion that will remain forever marked in your memories. The rest of the day is your, for a relaxing dive into the pool or a cocktail in the garden, looking to the Dome in front of you! 

Day 12

In the morning, we suggest a private guided tour in the historical centre of Florence. The guide will talk about history and anecdotes between Middle-Age and Renaissance, an itinerary to discover the treasures of Florence: the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio...but also places and histories about Renaissance artists and their secrets. You will be amazed to learn how even the smallest details have been taken care of in order to make Florence, the town which gave birth to Dante and Michelangelo, the beautiful city that it is today. We can combine the visit with the carriage tour. 

Day 13

Today… Wake up and discover the beautiful Bologna, the town of the traditional “tortellini”, but also the town of the ancient University that first opened in the 11th century. As you stroll through the city, you will pass a salumeria, which dangles hardy cured meats in front of the window to entice passersby. Nearby, a traditional chocolaterie, which began producing chocolate in the late 18th century and nestled in one of Bologna’s most eclectically fashionable streets, you will meet your private chef at Il Salotto di Penelope culinary school. Enter the private kitchen where the ingredients to produce a traditional Italian meal are laid out and learn how to make your favorite classic Italian entrees and desserts from scratch. While you cook, your chefs at Il Salotto di Penelope cooking school will teach you the historical knowledge of Emilia Romagna’s gastronomic roots. You will indulge in your wonderful culinary creations and enjoy a glass of delicious local wine while you discuss the highlights of the day’s cooking lesson. In the late afternoon, you will come back to Firenze. 

Day 14

Today you’ll make your way south to the Chianti region, known for the sweeping vineyards, tasty wine, and the dramatic towers of San Gimignano. In the center of the city, you can see the top of numerous square towers peeking through the top of the buildings and creating the unique skyline. The two Torri Salvucci Towers were erected in the 13th century and overlooking the Piazza del Duomo. The day combine perfectly the cultural visit of San Giminiano to a province of Tuscany rich with vineyards and olive groves, where you can taste great wines and foods. 

Day 15

ciao Italia… according to the flight time-table, transfer to the Airport and... ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA! 

• Day 1: accommodation, car rental for 15 days with pick up in Milano and drop of in Florence, Casco Insurance 
• Day 2: accommodation, Stresa tour 
• Day 3: accommodation, private boat tour 
• Day 4: accommodation, Milano Tour 
• Day 5: accommodation, tour, tasting 
• Day 6: accommodation, Verona Tour 
• Day 7: accommodation 
• Day 8: accommodation, strains to and from Venice, Venice tour 
• Day 9: accommodation, Mantova tour 
• Day 10: accommodation, tastings, Modena tour 
• Day 11: accommodation 
• Day 12: accommodation, Firenze Tour 
• Day 13: accommodation, cooking class in Bologna 
• Day 14: accommodation, tastings. 
• One of our travel consultant will meet you at your arrival in Venice and will always be available online/phone 24/7.