Northern Italy Tour: Cities, Dolomites, and Lake Como

Set off from your centrally located hotel on a fascinating walking tour of the city of canals. Accompany your local expert along the winding alleyways to see some of the hidden gems of this charming city that has been featured in countless works of art and literature. Soak in the architectural beauty of the buildings around the historic Piazza San Marco, Venice’s main public square. Stroll past landmarks such as the Italo-Byzantine Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale also known as the Doge’s Palace, the iconic Clock Tower, and Procuratie, the three-building cluster. Saunter across the splendid Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo square where you find the Basilica also known as the Pantheon of Venice. Listen to lesser-known historical facts and anecdotes as you amble by the erstwhile residence of the famous explorer Marco Polo and admire Malibran Theater that dates back to the 17th century. Make your way back to San Marco along the bustling Mercerie with its numerous luxury boutiques. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 1000 hrs; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Moderate. Please note this is a walking tour and the guide will meet you directly at your hotel; It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and bring along a light raincoat or an umbrella depending on the weather.)

Visit the famous islands of the Venetian lagoon that are known for their handicrafts. At the scheduled time, you will be guided from your hotel in Venice to the meeting point. Once you reach, settle into a comfortable boat and travel to Murano. Along the way, your guide will point out interesting landmarks and small islets. At Murano, walk along the narrow streets to a glassblower’s workshop. This small island is world-famous for its exquisite pieces of glass art. Watch a skilled glass blower craft delicate pieces of glassware right in front of you. You could then browse the collection of finished products and explore the island on your own. Later, board the boat for the ride to Burano, famed for its handmade lace, once considered the best in Europe. Make your way past vibrantly painted houses, lined along the canal, to a lace-making facility. See the women use centuries-old techniques to stitch beautiful swathes of lace. Afterward, check out some of the local bakeries and sample their wares before heading back to the boat. (Duration: half day; Shared activity; Group size: max 20 ppl; Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4183, 30122 Venezia- at the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II; Fitness level: moderate, please note that this tour is not suitable for wheelchairs or people requiring special assistance; Boat round trip and glass and lace-making demonstrations included; Please be at the meeting point at least 15 mins prior to scheduled departure time; Pick up assistance from the hotel to the meeting point is included; Carry hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water; There is a lot of walking involved, so comfortable shoes are recommended).

Spend a day in the Dolomites, hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop that is approximately 8.8 kms (6 miles) long. Set out from Rifugio Auronzo and follow the wide gravel track. Take in views of the serrated pinnacles that stretch across the skyline. Follow a well-maintained trail that curves along the base of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Ramble along slopes of high Alpine meadows, while soaking in views of the jagged peaks. Pass by lush green valleys and see numerous snow capped mountain tops that dot the horizon. Follow the path across lofty rugged ledges and along scenic mountain vistas. Proceed uphill, to the crest at Forcella Lavaredo, from where the landscape reveals the Three Peaks at 2,454 m (8,051 ft) above sea level. View masses of scraggy summits in a variety of twisted shapes. They resemble a crumbling forest of stony skyscrapers. Amble along a winding track peppered with highland flowers. Continue onward, through a mix of uphill and downhill sections that provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. (Duration: full day; Seasonal: May-Oct, daily; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: difficult; The hike is 6 miles long and the elevation is 2,454m above sea level; Please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; Please wear trekking shoes and bring your own trekking gear; Operates subject to weather conditions)

Venture on a 2.25-mile loop hike that circles Lake Braies, the largest natural lake in the Italian Dolomites. Part of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, Lake Braies is known as the ‘Emerald of the Dolomites’. Fed by underground springs and streams, its clear glacial waters provide a perfect reflection of the snow capped mountain peaks of the Seekofel massif. Take a short stroll from the car park to the boathouse. Walk along the lakeshore and admire the scenery. Pass by Hotel Lago di Braies to reach Cappella di Maria, a chapel designed by architect Otto Schmid in 1904. There’s also the film set, which was built for the Italian TV series ‘Un passo dal cielo’. Amble uphill, through the wooded path that goes all the way around the lake. Trek along the walkway and soak in Alpine vistas at every turn. Along the way, stop for photos at shingle beaches that are backed by sheer rocky cliffs and experience the solitude of the forested lakeshore. (Duration: full day; Seasonal: May-Oct, daily; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: moderate; The hiking trail is 2.25 miles long; Please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; Please wear trekking shoes and bring your own trekking gear; Operates subject to weather conditions)

Explore the charming Alpine vineyard town of Bolzano during this immersive trip. Meet your chauffeur at your hotel lobby after a leisurely breakfast. Be driven through a rolling highland landscape framed by the Italian Alps, with the Dolomite Mountains in the distance. Bolzano sits nestled in a beautiful valley with highland vineyards overlooking it. On reaching the town, stroll through the narrow winding lanes at your own pace. Note down the interesting medieval buildings and landmarks you come across. Walk down the old town square, or Waltherplatz, which is surrounded by historic structures. Stop by the imposing Duomo di Bolzano Cathedral and admire its intricate Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Have a good lunch at any one of the local restaurants, pizzerias or cafés that line the lively square. Finally, return to your waiting car and chauffeur and be driven back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: morning activity; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes & bring light raincoat or umbrella depending on weather)

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Verona. Explore Piazza Bra, the largest square in Verona. It contains a number of historic buildings, such as the Arena di Verona, the city’s answer to the Colosseum in Rome. Built in 30 AD, this amphitheater could hold 30,000 spectators and is still used for concerts. Visit Castle Vecchio, which stands on the banks of River Adige. Built almost 700 years ago, it houses a museum dedicated to its history. Attached to the castle is Castle Vecchio Bridge, which was once the longest bridge of its kind in the world. Built from red brick, it offers clear views of the river. See the Basilica of San Zeno, one of the most important religious buildings in Verona, and Shakespeare’s setting for the marriage of Romeo and Juliet. You can also visit Casa di Giulietta, the building where Shakespeare placed Juliet on the balcony to talk to Romeo. Inside you will find displays related to the play and the building. Take a stroll through the Giusti Gardens or a boat ride on Lake Garda. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose from our recommendations what best suits your interests and pace. Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities)

Departing from Verona in your private vehicle, you will spend the day exploring beautiful Lake Garda on a tour by public ferry with your guide. Head to the ferry terminal and set sail along the southern shores of Lake Garda. While gliding on the placid waters, learn about the blue paradise in the shadow of the Alps from your guide. Your first stop is the resort town of Desenzano del Garda. Explore the waterfront and head up its winding streets to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena. This Baroque cathedral preserves a painting of the ‘Last Supper’, by Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Afterward, visit the Roman Villa with its polychrome mosaics depicting hunting scenes and harvesting tools. Then, take a short ferry ride to historic Sirmione. Tour Scaliger Castle and learn about its ancient legend of the ghost. Head to the Grottoes of Catullus and its adjacent Archaeological Museum. Next, sail to Isola del Garda, Lake Garda’s largest island. Take a guided tour of this majestic villa, built in the Venetian Gothic Revival style, and stroll through its terraced fruit gardens before heading back to Verona. (Duration: full day; Private activity and transfers; All entry fees & ferry tickets are included; Meals included: no)

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Bellagio. Begin with a walk in the pretty medieval town center. Its ancient streets and narrow alleys are filled with colorful houses along steep stone staircases. In the Piazza della Chiesa, Bellagio’s main square, there’s the Basilica of San Giacomo. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries in the Como-Lombard Romanesque style, it contains many interesting artworks, frescoes and artefacts. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, soak in the scenery and stop for a coconut and limoncello gelato. Then, go on a guided tour of the gardens of Villa Serbelloni. This hillside botanical garden is replete with native and exotic plants, statues, caves and water features. Next, visit Punta Spartivento at the tip of the peninsula and admire views of Lake Como and the snowcapped Swiss Alps. Feast alfresco on robust regional fare at Ristorante La Punta. Later, go shopping for silk souvenirs, leather items imprinted with gorgeous designs and sample delicious local cheese. (Self-explore activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Choose from our recommendations what suits your interests and pace. Please note that you may not be able to do all our recommended activities.)

Enjoy a ferry ride on Lake Como and explore a centuries-old villa on this tour. Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and escort you to the ferry dock in Bellagio. Board a public ferry with your guide and travel south on Lake Como towards Villa del Balbianello, an 18th century mansion surrounded by gardens that is located on a wooden promontory. Enjoy a guided tour of the property, which has appeared in numerous movies, including blockbusters such as Star Wars and Casino Royal. You will also see an exhibition dedicated to Guido Monzino, a former owner of the villa and one of Italy’s greatest adventurers. The exhibition includes items related to Monzino’s travels to the North Pole and Mt. Everest. Then board the ferry for Como. Enjoy the views of the picturesque towns and villas that line the shore. At Como, your guide will give you a tour of the town’s historic center. Then enjoy some free time before catching a ferry back to Bellagio. (Duration: 6 hrs; Not available Mon & Weds; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: moderate)

Embark on an exciting tour of this beautiful village nestled on the banks of picturesque Lake Como and its surroundings. Explore the historic attractions of the region starting with Limonta, a quaint hamlet with a serene little church that seems suspended on the edge of the cliff, making it a great spot for some excellent photographs. Pedal on to Punta Spartivento, set at the tip of the Bellagio peninsula, near the heart of the lake. Savor splendid views of the lake where it branches out into three sections with the magnificent mountains in the background. Cycle across the narrow alleyways of the village along the beautiful gardens of Villa Serbelloni to arrive at the fishing village of Pescallo. Soak in the beauty of your surroundings as you cycle across the hills to the Aureggio village set on the upper portion of the peninsula. Pass by lush gardens, olive groves, elegant villas, and Romanesque churches as you cycle downhill to the port of Loppia known for its rare 19th-century Larian gondolas. Make your way to a family-owned hotel and restaurant overlooking Bellagio to sample a glass of fresh local wine. Afterward, set off to explore the spectacular gardens of Villa Melzi situated just steps away. Saunter around the landscaped grounds to your heart’s content before turning back. (Half Day; Tasting Included; Private Activity; Fitness level: difficult, please note that all or some part of the tour is done on paved roads with normal traffic, please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; This tour is weather dependent and may be canceled in the event of a rain forecast. Do let us know of any of your special dietary requirements. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for cycling, which will cover a total distance of about 12.5 miles (20 km). Tickets to Villa Melzi will be provided by the guide.)

Embark on a fascinating exploration of cultural and historical landmarks of the beautiful city of Milan. Walk by La Scala Opera House, which has hosted some of Italy’s most famous opera and other performances. This 18th-century theater is one of the main cultural landmarks of Milan. Saunter out to the magnificent 19th century glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the country’s oldest active shopping arcade, and walk through the Duomo Square, enclosed by its iconic gothic cathedral, one of the largest in Europe. Make your way to Sforza Castle, which houses several of the city’s museums and art collections, and explore the medieval fortification from the outside.(Half Day; Private Activity; Fitness level: moderate, this tour involves a lot of walking. Please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance).