The Irresistible Atmosphere of the Northern Lakes 8 days / 7 nights

Day 1: Milan – Lake Maggiore

Arrival at Milan Malpensa airport, collect your car and start your travel throughout the magical landscapes of the Italian Northern lakes. First stop: Lake Maggiore, artistic heritage, rich of castles, villas and magnificent gardens. Accommodation at hotel and overnight.

Day 2: Lake Maggiore – Borromean islands

Breakfast at hotel. The day is dedicated to discover the charming Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori. The islands take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. Only the best architects and gardeners were called on by the famous members of the family, themselves art lovers and botanists, to breathe life into their ambitious projects. Departure from Stresa by boat to Isola Madre with the exotic atmosphere of its Garden, the tour proceeds to Pescatori island with its village unchanged by time, offers a fascinating simplicity. Lunch in a typical “trattoria” tasting a lake fish menu. It’s time of Isola Bella with its palace and gardens, epitome of opulence and luxury. Come back to Stresa and free walking tour on the lakeside. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Lake Como

After breakfast, departure to Lake Como with its romantic and peaceful atmosphere, that seduced some Hollywood stars and celebrities. Enjoy the historic centre of Como with its famous Sant’Abbondio Basilica, the Duomo, the Broletto and the Torre del Municipio. We suggest to walk along the Lino Gelpi Promenade, to visit Villa Olmo and take the funicular connecting Como with the village of Brunate, at about 720 meters above sea level. From there, the views take your breath away (the journey takes about 7 minutes). Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Lake Como – Lake Iseo

After breakfast, departure to Bellaggio, one of the jewels of Lake Como and the only place where you can contemplate the three “branches” of the lake, which has the shape of an inverted “Y” ( if you have time you can reach Bellagio also by public boat ). You can visit the elegant villas: Serbelloni and Melzi. The tour proceeds to Lecco, located in an extraordinary point, between high peaks of the Pre-Alps and Lake Como, the famous Manzoni’s Mountain. Free walking tour of its centre. Departure to Iseo Lake. On the way we suggest to have a stop in Bergamo, divided into the Lower City and the Upper Town, connected by a funicular. Its unique atmosphere gives it an unrivalled beauty, thanks to the mix of medieval, renaissance and baroque style. Arrived in Iseo, walking tour of the centre of Iseo Piazza Garibaldi, Pieve di Sant’Andrea, Oldofredi Castle and Santa Maria del Mercato Church.
Accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Lake Iseo – Franciacorta

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Franciacorta, the region par excellence for the production of the “Italian Champagne” using the method sparkling wines. Guided visit of the vineyard and cellars to learn the secrets, the philosophy, the traditional method of the famous “Italian Bollicine” but also of the production of Curtefranca wines, the typical wines of Brescia Area. At the end of the visit tasting of 4 different wines combined with local products. In the afternoon come back to Lake Iseo and departure by boat from Sulzano to Monteisola: the European bigger lake island, rich of natural beauties. Discover fishing and boat manufacturing ancient tradition. Return to Sulzano, overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Lake Garda

After breakfast, departure to Lake Garda. Walking tour of Sirmione rich of monuments: the medieval centre, the Scaligero Castle, Maria Maggiore Church, “Grotte di Catullo” villa. Tour by boat of of Sirmione Peninsula (40 minutes) including sparkling wine and fruit. The tour proceeds to the picturesque villages of Malcesine, Lazise and Peschiera. During the trips stop to Cisano to visit the oil mill Fratelli Pozzo and to the Biodynamic wine cellar in Bardolino: Villa Calicantus. The producer will bring you through each phases of the wine production, from the winery, to the vineyards in order to let you touch and live what does it means to produce wine. An unforgettable wine tasting overlooking Garda lake is waiting for you: Bardolino Chiaretto DOC (rosé), Bardolino Superiore DOCG (red) and Riserva Avresir Docg (red wine) will be matched with different kind of local products: homemade secret recipe of mushrooms, cheeses to taste with homemade marmalades, salami, homemade bread, our olive oil, all from local producers or homemade. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 7: Verona – Milan

After breakfast, drive to Verona and free walking tour through the centre admiring the famous Arena, Giulietta balcony, the Arche Scaligere, Piazza Dante, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Brà. At the end of the visit departure to Milan. According to the arrival time, free walking tour of the city centre, capital of fashion and design with an incredible patrimony of art and culture which includes one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s greatest masterpieces: the Last Supper. Accommodation at hotel and overnight.

Day 8: Milan

According to the flight departure, free time at disposal for personal visits or drive to the airport of Milan. Drop off your car and Arrivederci!