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Lake Como
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Italian Lakes by train: Maggiore, Como, and Garda
Lake Como
Lake Maggiore
Milan City Centre
Piazza delle Erbe
Lake Como
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Isola Madre
Sforzesco Castle
Verona
Ponte Pietra, Verona
Itinerary
Day 1 Milan
Welcome to Milan! The Northern Lakes adventure commences upon our arrival. We'll enjoy a day of leisure to discover the attractions of the "Northern Italy's Hub" on our own, such as the Duomo with its picturesque terraces, the magnificent Castello Sforzesco, the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the renowned fashion and shopping districts. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Overnight stay in Milan in a 4* hotel.
Please note that the arrival transfer is not included
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Day 2 Lake Maggiore
After your breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Milan Central Station where we will take our train to Lake Maggiore. The shores of this lake are shared between Switzerland and Italy. The name Maggiore derives from the fact that it is the largest of the lakes in the area, but among the Italian lakes, it is the second largest after Lake Garda.
Our train will take us to Stresa, the most famous resort on the western shore. After checking in at our hotel, we can spend the rest of the day strolling through the beautiful and picturesque streets of this town and letting ourselves be enchanted by the wonderful views of the lake.
Overnight stay in Stresa in a 4* hotel.
Breakfast
Stresa
Day 3 Lake Maggiore
After breakfast at the hotel, we dedicate the day to visiting the famous Borromean Islands, a small archipelago that owes its fame to its three main islands: Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Ile) and Isola Bella.
The first stop will be Isola Madre, the largest of the three and the most important island on Lake Maggiore. On the island is a 16th-century palace set in a magnificent English-style botanical garden dating back to the late 19th century. From Isola Madre one then goes to Isola dei Pescatori which is the only public island of the three and is also the only one permanently inhabited by a small community. Isola Bella, on the other hand, is famous for its paradisiacal Italian garden with the Teatro Massimo at its centre, composed of ten terraces forming a truncated pyramid adorned with statues and fountains; the scenographic layout is of rare beauty!
The garden and palace were commissioned by Count Vitalino Borromeo in 1650, but it took a good four centuries to transform a rock into the magnificent work we visit today. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay in Stresa in a 4* hotel.
Breakfast
Isola Bella
Day 4 Lake Como
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we say goodbye to Stresa and the beauty of Lake Maggiore and board our local train that will take us to discover the beauty of another famous Italian lake: Lake Como.
Our train will pass through valleys and landscapes typical of northern Italy, moving from Piedmont to Lombardy, before arriving in the charming town of Como. Como is known for its Gothic-style cathedral, the panoramic funicular railway and the pedestrian path along the lake. The Educational Silk Museum illustrates the history of Como's silk industry, while the Tempio Voltiano is a museum dedicated to the physicist Alessandro Volta. To the north are the lakeside gardens of Villa Olmo and other elegant villas.
Afternoon free to stroll through the streets of this beautiful town or take the funicular and enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake from above. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay in Lake Como in a 4* hotel
Breakfast
Lake Como
Day 5 Lake Como
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, today we will dedicate the day to discovering the beauty of Lake Como, on the stretch of the lake that leads from Como to Bellagio. Our ticket allows us to get off at each stop and visit the various villages on the western shore.
Arriving in Bellagio, we could devote some time to visiting this romantic town, situated exactly between the two arms of Lake Como. Bellagio is known for its cobbled streets, elegant buildings and the Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden overlooking the lake. Be careful not to be distracted by such beauty and be sure to check the ferry return times to Como! On the way back to Como, you can admire the changing colours of the lake in the late afternoon light.
Overnight stay in Lake Como in a 4* hotel.
Breakfast
Bellagio, Lake Como
Day 6 Verona
After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, time to take a last look at the lakeshore and we head towards Como station, ready to reach our next stop: Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. This is in fact where one of the poet William Shakespeare's most famous works is set, and as we approach by train we begin to savour the timeless charm of this city, located close to Lake Garda and nestled between the Italian Alps and the Po Valley.
Upon our arrival in Verona, we check into our hotel and have the afternoon free to explore the city, take a leisurely stroll, or even pay a visit to the iconic Arena di Verona. For those who wish, an excursion by train to nearby Lake Garda is also possible. Desenzano di Garda and its station are only 20 minutes away by train.
Overnight stay in Verona in a 4* hotel.
Breakfast
Arena di Verona
Day 7 Verona
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. This morning we visit Verona with the help of an expert local guide in a small group tour. The guide will take you on a tour where you will meet people from the past who helped build the Verona of today and learn about legendary stories that have made the city famous throughout the world. You will see the main monuments, such as Juliet's balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, the Lamberti Tower and the Arena (visit from the outside).
You will also discover that there is a medieval castle in the centre and that some bridges have withstood more than one war. So the visit will become more than just a historical tour and you will also learn more about the way of life and thinking of the Veronese people.
The afternoon is free for shopping or exploring the charming surroundings of Verona, whether it's the Prosecco hills or the art cities of Mantua, Vicenza, or Padua.
Overnight stay in Verona in a 4* hotel.
Breakfast
City of Verona
Day 8 Verona
Breakfast at the hotel. End of services.
Breakfast
Italian Lakes by train: Maggiore, Como, and Garda
Italy
From AUD 2,787pp
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From AUD 2,787pp