THE MAGIC OF THE ITALIAN LAKES

DAY 1 -COMO

Arrival in Malpensa Airport, Milan. Transfer to your hotel on Como Lake. Check in by hotel In the afternoon, for those who wish, we suggest to take a walk in the large pedestrian area for shopping in the exclusive boutiques of Como city centre, where you may purchase garments bearing the famous "Made in Italy" labels. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

DO NOT MISS

 

• Restaurant "Solito Posto", founded in 1888 and presenting the best Italian cuisine dishes


• Craftmen’s shops in Como city centre

DAY 2-COMO LAKE, BELLAGIO AND VILLAS

In the morning, meeting in Hotel with private English speaking guide and departure by ferry for Bellagio. Short visit of this wonderful village on own. After the visit of Bellagio you will enjoy half day on a private yacht visiting the beautiful Varenna. Afterwards, you reach "Comacina", the only island of Lake Como where you will enjoy an excellent typical lunch. After lunch visit to the most famous Villas on the lake, "illa Carlotta" & "Villa Balbianello". Return to Hotel and dinner on own. Overnight in Como.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Bellagio, the "pearl" of Lake Como, undoubtedly the most famous resort on the lake.
  For centuries its scenic location has enchanted artists and writers, not only from Italy, but also from abroad.
  
  
• Villa Carlotta, known all over the world for its marvelous gardens and Villa.
  Balbianello, famous for the romantic seclusion of its location; both villas date back to the Neoclassic age.
  
  

ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

• Exclusive visit by private yacht in Varenna: the oldest part of the village has maintained its medieval layout.


• Lunch at the "Locanda dell’Isola Comacina", one of the most famous restaurants of the Como area.
  

DO NOT MISS:

 

• Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio, a wonderful garden directly overlooking the lake.
  
  
  

DAY 3-MAGGIORE LAKE, STRESA AND ISLANDS

Departure from your hotel by private car to Maggiore Lake. Arrival in Stresa, check- in at your hotel and meeting with the local English speaking guide for a visit of the area. Lunch at leisure. Afterwards you will be taking a private ferry to visit the 3 main "gems" of Lake Maggiore "Isola Madre", "Isola Bella", "Isola dei Pescatori". You will visit all the 3 islands, their palaces and gardens. Return to the hotel. Dinner on own. Overnight in Stresa.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• The beautiful Stresa, known throughout Europe for its great inclination towards tourism and for its wonderful Borromeo Island.
  


• Isola Bella, the most charming island of the Lake Maggiore, where you can visit the Baroque Palazzo Borromeo, where Napoleon was once a guest.
  

ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

• Private ferry for an exclusive visit of the main Lake Maggiore Islands.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• All the elegant and luxurious Liberty hotels dating back to the 19th century, overlooking the Maggiore Lake


• Stresa festival, a musical international festival taking place from July to September.
  
  
  

DAY 4 - GARDA LAKE, SALO’

In the morning, departure for Salò, check-in at your hotel and meeting with your guide to discover one side of the Garda Lake: in the morning you will visit Salò, a charming village overlooking the lake. Lunch on own. In the morning, explore the famous Vittoriale palace. After the tour, balance of the day at leisure to relax and visit the surroundings. Dinner on own and overnight.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Salò, with its luxurious palaces and villas owned by VIP people. In Salò, you will have the possibility of visiting some important and historical churches, an ancient library with precious books; you will stroll down its quaint streets and relax on the lake river.
  


• The Vittoriale, , the bizzarre palace built for Gabriele d’Annunzio, one of the most important Italian poets. Full of history, precious objects and legends, the Vittoriale will leave you speechless thanks to its charm and luxury.
  
  

DO NOT MISS:

 

• The Sostaga restaurant in Salò: it presents a panoramic veranda and a liberty hall, warmed by candle lights and antique fire places. In spring and summer, each guest will be spoilt by the light breeze, that caresses the Panoramic Terrace, the small Gazebo and the small port, savouring tasty and unusual recipes, accompanied by excellent wines.

DAY 5-GARDA LAKE, VALEGGIO AND SIRMIONE

Check-out and transfer to Valeggio sul Mincio, one of the most beautiful natural areas in Italy. Visit of the natural area on own. Afterwards, transfer to Sirmione, an ancient fortress and fishermen's village that features a wonderful city centre. Lunch on own and balance of the day at leisure. Check-in in your hotel in Sirmione, dinner on own and overnight.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Valeggio sul Mincio’s natural area: you will admire this green reserve, full of attractions such as the avenue of the roses, the maze, the stone of eternal youth, the great lawn, the medicinal herbs’ garden and so on.
  
  
• Sirmione quaint city centre and Catullo’s archeological park, an area with roman ruins directly overlooking the lake.
  
  

DO NOT MISS:

 

• An ice cream in one of the several ice-cream shops in Sirmione.


• Reading Catullo’s immortal lines while sitting on the archaeological park’s stones and admiring the wonderful panorama.
  
  
  

DAY 6-GARDA LAKE, RIVA AND LIMONE

For your last day in Italy, you will spend the whole day visiting another part of the lake. In the morning you will discover the beauties of Riva del Garda. Lunch on own. In the afternoon, transfer to Limone sul Garda for a walk on the lakeshore. Return to Sirmione and balance of the day at leisure. Dinner on own. Overnight in Sirmione.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• Riva del Garda and its surrounding areas, that offer a kaleidoscope of cultural interests with castles and historic buildings.


• Museo Civico la Rocca in Riva del Garda, that hosts an exhibition of archaeological artefacts pertaining to the history of the town.


• Limone sul Garda with its walking paths on the lake shore and in the surrounding natural ambiance.
  
  
  

DAY 7-CHECKOUT

Check-out and transfer to Milano Malpensa Airport.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE TOUR: 3*, 4*, 5* HOTELS, VILLAS AND HISTORICAL RESIDENCES, ALL THE TOURS CAN BE PERSONALIZED AND TAILOR MADE PRICE: ON REQUEST AT INFO@ESSENCEOFITALY.IT