Milan, Lago di Como and Verona
This itinerary focuses on the magnificent northern part of Italy, an area that is rich in history, art, culture, and beautiful landscapes.
It all begins in Milan, the ideal starting point thanks to its international airports. As the world capital of fashion and an icon of style, Milan is always at the avant-garde, and is rich in both economic and cultural terms. Our authorized guides will accompany you on your discovery of the hidden treasures of the center of the city: the poetic vistas, the Liberty-era buildings, and other architectural pearls ranging in style from the Gothic to the Romanesque. You will understand why millions of visitors come from around the world to visit this glamorous and fascinating city. While in Milan, you will enjoy a guided tour of Da Vinci’s world-famous Last Supper - and you won’t have to wait in line! As with all our museum visits, we make reservations for you in advance so that you don’t have to waste your precious time.
After a few nights in Milan you will travel – either by chauffeured car or by train – to the marvelous Lake Como, with its beautiful lakeside towns of Bellagio, Cernobbio, Brunate, and Como. This area has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries, including Flaubert, Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi and Vincenzo Bellini, who wrote the opera “Norma.” To this day the lake continues to attract celebrities and jet setters who appreciate the beauty of the lake and its charming towns. You will visit small villages, splendid villas, and manicured gardens. It will be relaxing, fun, and culturally fascinating. One of the many gorgeous villas is 16th century Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, used by Alfred Hitchcock in his film “The Pleasure Garden.” Another is Villa Erba, one of the most important 19th century villas on the lake. And finally, where the three tributaries of the lake come together we find the town of Bellagio, with the elegant and noble Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi, known for its botanic garden.
Heading south we reach the town of Lecco. Here we find Villa Manzoni, home of the great Italian writer Manzoni, who gave us the classic novel I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed), and the Manzoni Museum, which definitely warrants a visit.
Heading north, our experienced drivers will accompany you to the splendid towns of Varenna, Bellagio, and Colico, the location of the Abbazia of Piona. After a few nights of lakeside repose, a brief trip by train or private car will take you to the beautiful city of Verona, which takes center stage in Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet. This is a city that is rich in history, and at the same time elegant and relaxing. Naturally, our visit includes a private tour of the Arena and the home of Juliet. Accompanied by our professional driver, you will be taken to small towns in the Valpolicella, an area that is home to many important wines. Here in this beautiful and unspoiled valley, tradition is the key word. This is where the world-famous Amarone del Valpolicella DOC is produced and aged. It is considered the most important Veronese wine and one of the most important Italian reds.
At the conclusion of this itinerary, you will return to Milan airport either by private car or by train.
Duration of tour: approximately 8 days
It all begins in Milan, the ideal starting point thanks to its international airports. As the world capital of fashion and an icon of style, Milan is always at the avant-garde, and is rich in both economic and cultural terms. Our authorized guides will accompany you on your discovery of the hidden treasures of the center of the city: the poetic vistas, the Liberty-era buildings, and other architectural pearls ranging in style from the Gothic to the Romanesque. You will understand why millions of visitors come from around the world to visit this glamorous and fascinating city. While in Milan, you will enjoy a guided tour of Da Vinci’s world-famous Last Supper - and you won’t have to wait in line! As with all our museum visits, we make reservations for you in advance so that you don’t have to waste your precious time.
After a few nights in Milan you will travel – either by chauffeured car or by train – to the marvelous Lake Como, with its beautiful lakeside towns of Bellagio, Cernobbio, Brunate, and Como. This area has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries, including Flaubert, Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi and Vincenzo Bellini, who wrote the opera “Norma.” To this day the lake continues to attract celebrities and jet setters who appreciate the beauty of the lake and its charming towns. You will visit small villages, splendid villas, and manicured gardens. It will be relaxing, fun, and culturally fascinating. One of the many gorgeous villas is 16th century Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, used by Alfred Hitchcock in his film “The Pleasure Garden.” Another is Villa Erba, one of the most important 19th century villas on the lake. And finally, where the three tributaries of the lake come together we find the town of Bellagio, with the elegant and noble Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi, known for its botanic garden.
Heading south we reach the town of Lecco. Here we find Villa Manzoni, home of the great Italian writer Manzoni, who gave us the classic novel I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed), and the Manzoni Museum, which definitely warrants a visit.
Heading north, our experienced drivers will accompany you to the splendid towns of Varenna, Bellagio, and Colico, the location of the Abbazia of Piona. After a few nights of lakeside repose, a brief trip by train or private car will take you to the beautiful city of Verona, which takes center stage in Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet. This is a city that is rich in history, and at the same time elegant and relaxing. Naturally, our visit includes a private tour of the Arena and the home of Juliet. Accompanied by our professional driver, you will be taken to small towns in the Valpolicella, an area that is home to many important wines. Here in this beautiful and unspoiled valley, tradition is the key word. This is where the world-famous Amarone del Valpolicella DOC is produced and aged. It is considered the most important Veronese wine and one of the most important Italian reds.
At the conclusion of this itinerary, you will return to Milan airport either by private car or by train.
Duration of tour: approximately 8 days
