Visit four of the must-see lakes in the Italian Lake district as well as the city of Verona, on a 4-day tour from Milan! With a mix of free time and tours, explore the tranquil hideaway of Lake Orta, mountain-framed Lake Maggiore and glamorous Lake Como. Discover elegant lakeside towns around Lake Garda - Italy's largest lake - and see Juliet's House and more on a Verona tour. Boat rides on the lakes are included as well as 4-star hotel accommodation in the lively towns of Como, Brescia and Verona.
Day 1: Milan
Leave central Milan in the morning, and relax on your journey north by air-conditioned coach. First stop is Lake Orta, a pretty stretch of water thats said to be the most secluded and romantic of the Italian Lakes. Lake Orta sits on the banks of Orta San Guilio, a charming medieval village, so enjoy a stop to stretch your legs and soak up the lakeside views. Perhaps take a stroll down Via Olina, the villages main street, or people watch in Piazza Mario Motta.
Hop aboard a boat and ride across Lake Orta to the tiny island of San Guilio, thats covered almost entirely by just one building: the 12th-century Basilica of San Guilio. Spend some free time exploring, and then return to Orta San Guilio and continue your journey into the Italian Lake district by coach.
Stop in the bohemian town of Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore and enjoy some free time for lunch (own expense). Gaze out at the snow-capped peaks of Monte Mottarone framing the tranquil lake, and then ride by boat to Fishermens Island (Isola dei Pescatori), and then Bella Island with its magnificent Borromeo Palace, enjoying free time to explore each place. Return to Stresa and continue to Lake Como where your hotel awaits.
Day 2: Milan
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel, and then meet your guide for a tour of the town of Como. Stroll around the tangle of streets that comprise the lakeside towns center, and learn about the architecture and history of Como. Admire Gothic churches and Como Duomo in all its marble glory, and then board a sightseeing boat on the lake.
Ride across the water to the picturesque village of Bellagio, popular for its elegant gardens and luxury villas that look out over the waterfront. Hop off your boat to enjoy some time at leisure in the village, perhaps finding a restaurant for lunch (own expense) or relaxing on the tranquil pebble beach. Then, take another boat ride to the town of Varenna on Lake Comos east bank. Gaze at its candy-colored houses etched into the hills around the lake as you dock, and then travel through the town by coach to admire all of its sights. Travel out of the town, and away from the Italian Lake district.
Spend your afternoon in the town of Bergamo, just outside of Milan, and see its sights on a walking tour. The town is split into two distinct parts - the modern town center and the pretty hilltop Old Town. Explore the Old Towns pretty cafe-strung piazzas and narrow alleyways lined with bakeries and shops. Return to your coach, travel to Brescia in Lombardy and check in to your hotel.
Day 3: Milan - Brescia
Check out after breakfast and travel east to Lake Garda, Italys largest lake. Sit back and relax as you travel around the west coast, watching the landscape change from the towering Dolomite Mountains in the north, to the gently sloping hills of the south.
First stop of the day is in Sirmione, a little peninsula town thats famous for its crumbling Roman ruins and the 13th-century Scaligero Castle. Hop aboard a sightseeing boat, and cruise around Lake Garda, enjoying views of the castle and the ruins at the Grotto of Catullo from the water.
Travel by coach to the northern shore of Lake Como and enjoy free time for lunch in Riva del Garda - a town thats famous for its stunning Venetian architecture. Visit a lakeside restaurant for lunch (own expense), and then hit the road again. Travel to the romantic city of Verona, and check in to your hotel.
Day 4: Brescia
After breakfast, explore Verona on a walking tour with your guide, Famously the setting for Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, the enchanting city has gained UNESCO status for its collection of monuments from eras stretching back to 1st century BC. Learn about architectural influences from Mediterranean and Nordic regions, and stop for photos in front of top Verona attractions like Piazza della Erbe and Juliets House.
After a break for lunch (own expense), return to central Milan where your 4-day tour finishes.
