Northern Italian Lakes & Countryside
From CAD $3,289 Was CAD $3,655
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Discover the Italians’ favorite holiday haunts on this irresistible Italian Lakes trip. Linger over a sweet gelato on the shores of Lake Maggiore, sample authentic balsamic vinegar in Modena, then ease into the easy-going local way of life in enchanting lakeside villages.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Be My Guest
- Solferino: Join the Serenelli family for a Be My Guest dinner featuring home-grown produce. Learn about their local history and the formation of the Red Cross as you explore their didactic farm.
Dive into Culture
- Modena: Celebrate all things Ferrari, past, present and future, at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena. This pit stop includes intriguing exhibitions and an immersive experience that you'll never forget.
Iconic Experience
- Como: Take in exquisite views of the lake and its alpine backdrop as you enjoy an orientation of this magnificent town.
- Bergamo: See Bergamo's characteristic bell towers and admire the city's captivating Renaissance architecture.
- Verona: Join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing walk along Verona's charming central streets. See the bronze statue of Juliet and the Roman arena.
- Mantua: Visit UNESCO-listed Mantua with a Local Specialist. See the central arcade and grand dome of the basilica as you stroll past gold-toned façades.
- Modena: Delve into the history and culture of Modena with a Local Specialist. Stroll through the Old Town streets and see the beautiful arcade of the Piazza Grande.
- Milan: See Milan's central highlights on an orientation tour with your Travel Director.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Modena: Enjoy a gourmet interlude at a historic, traditional acetaia with a tasting of some of the world’s finest balsamic vinegar. As pioneers in organic and biodynamic production, they place sustainable practices and soil care at the heart of their craft. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Verona and Modena
- Visit Lake Como and Lake Garda and the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena
- View Bergamo’s Piazza del Duomo, Juliet’s Balcony and Roman Arena in Verona, Modena Cathedral and Milan’s Duomo and La Scala Opera House
- View Bergamo’s Piazza del Duomo, Roman Arena in Verona, Modena Cathedral and Milan’s Duomo and La Scala Opera House
Trip Details
Product Code: 28232
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Luxury
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 44.157B
Starts: Milan, Italy
Finishes: Milan, Italy
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,289 ($365 /day)
Itinerary
A favorite summer retreat for the who's who of Italy for centuries provides an enchanting backdrop for your first day in Italy. Airport transfers will be provided at set times from Milan Malpensa Airport to your hotel in the charming resort of Baveno on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a Light Supper with a drink this evening to meet your fellow travel companions and Travel Director before embarking on your journey together.
Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Torino
Meals: Dinner
Journey through Italy's exquisite Lake District to scenic Lake Como. Walk along the beautiful Como waterfront or relax by the lake indulging in a tasty gelato. Then it’s time to ease into la dolce vita, strolling along the lake shore at Baveno – the gentle sounds of this lakeside setting are a soulful way to enjoy your afternoon. Spend free time exploring Baveno with its Romanesque bell tower and octagonal baptistery.
Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Torino
Meals: Breakfast
The enchanting lanes of Bergamo, near the foothills of the Alps, yield architectural and artistic treasures which we will have an opportunity to explore this morning. Wander past centuries-old Renaissance fa��ades and into the exquisite Piazza Vecchia built on the site of an ancient Roman forum, the heart of political power in the city for several centuries. See the ornate Contarini Fountain and 12th century Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, which the people of Bergamo built to thank the Virgin Mary for coming to their aid in the midst of the plague during the 12th century. We continue our love affair with the Italian Lakes, traveling to the Lake Garda area for a relaxing five-night stay, where long, lazy days are a way of life.
Accommodation: Hotel Leonardo da Vinci
Meals: Breakfast
Romance is in the air today as we journey to Verona, the home of Shakespeare's tragic star-crossed lovers. Our walking tour with a Local Specialist will take us to Juliet's Balcony, as well as the incredible Roman arena, still in use today. There is also plenty of time to explore the city at leisure - see the seven medieval towers of Castelvecchio, relax under the shady trees in Verona's expansive Piazza Bra or clamber up Lamberti's Tower for magnificent views.
Accommodation: Poiano Resort
Meals: Breakfast
A leisurely start to your day could see you stroll along the lakefront and enjoy a quiet coffee. Later today, you’ll embark on a half-day excursion to Mantua, a European 'Capital of Gastronomy' renowned for its significant role in the history of opera. Surrounded by lakes, this historic city with its UNESCO-listed center is a delight to explore as you’ll come to discover during your visit with a Local Specialist. See architectural treasures and artifacts, elegant palaces and Renaissance cityscapes before returning to the picturesque lakeside setting of Lake Garda. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience featuring local fare with the Serenelli family. On this memorable Be My Guest experience, you’ll hear all about the farm’s incredible role in Napoleon’s Battle of Solferino, the bloody aftermath of which inspired the establishment of the International Red Cross.
Accommodation: Poiano Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Indulge in a full day at leisure to soak up the picture-perfect setting of Italy's largest lake. Journey along its tranquil shores, stopping at lakeside villages to savor the intoxicating aroma of lemons around every turn. Enjoy the flavors of delicious local olive oils and cheese at local markets, stroll along flower-lined lakeside paths or visit the lake's extraordinary sights. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the magnificent Dolomite mountains, a World Heritage Site comprising 18 peaks over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
Accommodation: Poiano Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Your day starts with an introduction to the gastronomic hub of Modena, home of sparkling Lambrusco, salty prosciutto and the intense aromas of parmigiano, for an exploration with a Local Specialist. Wander past pastel-hued façades in the heart of the city that was the birthplace of Ferrari, Pavarotti and tortellini. Modena's Old Town and the magnificent Piazza Grande with its 12th century cathedral and Torre Civica, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the day continues, you will visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum where you'll Dive Into Culture and explore the history of this Italian icon. This afternoon you will enjoy a gourmet interlude at a historic, traditional Acetaia on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to taste the delicious sweet and sour flavors of some of the world’s best organic and biodynamic balsamic vinegar. This experience contributes to UN Global Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption. This evening, enjoy a leisurely dinner in an Italian lakeside resort.
Accommodation: Poiano Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In search of spires that reach the sky, we leave our tranquil lakeside setting behind for the chic northern capital of Milan. Admire the extraordinary Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and 19th-century Galleria with its impressive glass and iron-domed roof. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to jostle with the glamorous Milanese for your spot in the shopping district of Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea. This evening we indulge in a Farewell Dinner, joining our fellow travelers to celebrate the end of an exquisite holiday together.
Accommodation: Starhotels Business Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our leisurely jaunt through the Italian Lakes has come to an end. We say arrivederci to Italy and our newfound friends.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, November 2024
Solo Italian lake tour! Was good service. Everything was on time. The tour was good but I wouldn’t rate it as 5 star. would give it 3 star Yes Italy is beautiful and most of the food we had was beautiful. The food at the first hotel we stayed in was only average. I think for the price we paid for the tour some of those extra could have been included in the tour . When you add it all up at the end it works out away too expensive for the experience especially when you travel solo
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Trafalgar's service was excellent. The tour director was attentive to every need. The itinerary was excellent and the tour director and driver were excellent. The food at the dinners was not so good-it was average at best. The trip to the farm was a joke- everyone has seen horses and chickens and there was little interaction with the hosts.. It was not worth the drive out there. The choice of hotels left us stranded at dinner time. We were in the middle of nowhere and had to walk on a road with no sidewalks to get to the restaurants. The seat rotation on the bus was terrible. Those who started toward the back never made it to the front even though there were two empty seats, toward the middle and people still had to sit on the back row. Even with these annoying factors we enjoyed the trip and would go again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2024
Maria Taeschler - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent service, very attentive, and therefore you if anything went wrong. Carl was very compassionate to those who were having issues with anything. It was very well organized, and covered very special spots that I would not have seen on my own. Also, what really made my tour was my tour guide, Carl. He he showed up every morning with such positive energy and excitement for the day, you would’ve never known that it was his job and that he wasn’t just traveling with us. He made us laugh, he took the time to talk to us individually. He was actually the best tour guy I’ve ever ever had.!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2024
David Taeschler - Traveled, August 2024
Italian lakes review! Carl Taylor our tour director was great. Energetic and informed he was entertaining and knowledgeable. Great location and excellent tour director. Hotels were great and food was terrific.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/22/2024
Dale Roberson, Evin Roberson - Traveled, September 2024
Pleasant Trip to Sicily. Trafalgar's detailed attention to service made the trip more enjoyable. The tour guide and driver were experts. The tour guide was constantly doing things to make the tour more enjoyable. The tour guide was not only a guide but a wealth of information about southern Italy and Sicily. This was our 3rd Trafalgar trip, and the most enjoyable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, July 2024
Some of the optional excursions should be included as regular excursions and include them in your price. For the most part based on where you have positioned the hotels there would be nothing to do as they are not close to anything so you have no option but to take the optional excursions. Maybe rethink some of your hotels especially the one at lake Garda as although close to the lake it wasn’t close to anything. And it was also sub standard. Travel guide (***********) was superb.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2024
Optional tours are necessary for full enjoyment. The documents were quite clear about what we needed to do to prepare for the trip. If you do not take the optional tours, you be will left on your own in towns like Baveno which is very small. Also the drives to each location were quite long, and you did not stay very long in any one place.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2024
Loved the Lakes area! Drivers and TD did a good job getting us to our destinations. TD shared a lot of history. Beautiful area! Even though the itinerary looks relaxed, it really isn’t. Moving/touring every day, but there is a lot of bus time. They changed the 5 day hotel and it was not an improvement! Disappointed with Trafalgar for that reason.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2024
Our tour guide was the best part of Trafalgar's service. There should have had the optional tours as part of the included tour. There could have been more time spent in Verona and Milan. The Riva del Sole Hotel was not in a central location to do anything from there. There was not much to do at this hotel especially if the weather was not good to swim. A hotel in Verona or the first hotel - Grand Hotel Dino Vaneno would have been better.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2024
Paulette Staley - Traveled, June 2024
Awesome! Tour guide and bus driver does everything to make our travel stress free and fun. We saw places we would of never seen Stress-free and met some great people on our trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/13/2024
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