Tour of Veneto and Northern Lakes

Arrive in Venice and check-in at the hotel (check-in starts at 4:00 pm). Then meet with your guide for a presentation of the tour. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This is a day to discover the magnificence of Venice. In the morning you will begin your guided tour of the city discovering St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and all the main monuments and squares of the city. We will enjoy the sights of the city known as “La Serenissima” with a walk through streets, squares, and canals that intertwine creating a unique urban fabric. We will admire some of the more than 400 bridges as well as

the ancient and colorful palaces and artisan workshops. In the afternoon, there will be free time for shopping and sightseeing on your own. As an alternative to the afternoon free time, you can participate in an ImperaExperience: purchase this optional excursion at point-of-booking to explore the Islands of Murano and Burano, or enjoy a gondola ride. Afterward, return to the hotel in the Padua/Mestre area. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and then we depart to Verona. Verona's historic center is a maze of cobblestone streets flanked by elegant medieval and Renaissance palaces, creating a unique atmosphere. One of its best-known treasures is the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater famous for its shows, including world-renowned operas. Another attraction beloved by tourists is Juliet's House with its romantic balcony that Shakespeare based his Romeo and Juliet on. At the end of the tour, we will drive to Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian lakes. Lunch is included during the excursion. Arrive in Sirmione, where Lake Garda offers its visitors a scenery of luminous beauty, with the soft tones of the ancient olive trees surrounding the landscape that rises above the blue waters. We will take a boat trip to admire the Sirmione Peninsula, the ruins of the villa of Catullus, and the Scaligero Castle. We will leave Veneto and transfer to the hotel in the greater Milan area. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will dedicate the whole day to discovering the enchanting Borromean Islands. We will depart from Stresa, a small town on Lake Maggiore, and after a short boat ride, we will arrive at Isola Bella, where we will meet our local guide. We will explore the sumptuous palace and magnificent Italian gardens. This place was shaped by the vision of Vitaliano Borromeo in 1632 when he began the construction of the Baroque palace and gardens that still retain the opulence of that era. We will then move on to Isola dei Pescatori, a charming medieval fishing village, where we will break for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue by boat to Isola Madre to explore its botanical garden and majestic palace. This is the largest and most characteristic island of the Borromean Islands, famous for its relaxing and evocative atmosphere, where peacocks, parrots, and pheasants move freely among the gardens. Finally, we will return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is dedicated to visiting Lake Como. In Como, we will immerse ourselves in the history of this charming city, famous for its silk production. We will explore the elegant squares, where architecture and culture intertwine in fascinating ways. Along the picturesque shores of the lake, we will enjoy a relaxing stroll and admire the lakeside scenery. The next stop will be Bellagio, known as the “pearl” of the lake. We will arrive in Bellagio by boat* and will be greeted by its cobblestone streets that will take us to the historic heart of the town. The majestic villas and manicured gardens will capture our attention. The highlight of Bellagio will be the breathtaking panoramic views from the surrounding hills, offering an unforgettable visual spectacle. We will return to Milan in the afternoon and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is dedicated to discovering Milan, the capital of Lombardy, rich in art, history, and tradition. A local guide will take us on a walk through the historic center during which we will admire the exterior of the Sforzesco Castle and park and the La Scala Theater, one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Finally, we will enjoy the luxurious Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and visit the interior of the Duomo located in the homonymous square. Then the tour will shift focus to the fashion aspect of Milan and we will discover the most famous fashion capital in the world. This part of the tour will reveal how Milan became a fashion pillar through innovative ideas and great brands of international renown. We then return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This marks the end of our tour.