5-day Northern Italy Lakes Tour + Bernina Express

5-day Northern Italy Lakes Tour + Bernina Express

Day 1: Milan

Welcome to Milan! We'll pick you up at the city's airport and take you to the hotel to drop off your luggage.

In the afternoon, we'll pick you up again and enjoy a full guided walking tour of Milan. For 3 hours, we'll stroll through the heart of the "capital of design", admiring all of its highlights. We'll pass through Porta Venezia to cross the Public Gardens, where we'll also admire the Museum of Modern Art.

We'll continue walking along the elegant Viale Manzoni until we reach La Scala Opera House. And, of course, we have to visit the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and see the Duomo di Milano, the Gothic Renaissance cathedral of the city.

Finally, we'll visit Via Dante, a street full of 18th and 19th centuries palaces. Then, we'll see the imposing Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress built by the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza. As the icing on the cake, we'll stop at a pastry shop to taste a local sweet!

Day 2: Milan - Bernina Express - Milan

We'll start with breakfast at the hotel and then head to Tirano, where one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world starts. Upon arrival, we'll board the regional train Bernina Express!

During the train tour, we'll travel into the foothills of the Alps and enjoy spectacular scenery with charming villages and towns. The Bernina Express runs for 2 hours on each section and will take us to the town of Saint Moritz, where you'll have free time to explore and admire all the town's charms.

Finally, we'll return to Tirano and take you back to your hotel in Milan.

Day 3: Milan - Como - Bellagio - Varenna - Bergamo

After breakfast at the hotel in Milan, we'll drive to Lake Como, one of the most popular destinations in the area. Upon arrival, we'll explore this huge pre-Alpine lake, full of glamor thanks to the villas, gardens, and luxury hotels that surround it.

Next, we'll depart for Bellagio via a cruise on Lake Como. This luxurious villa has inspired the creativity of numerous artists and writers. You'll be free to have lunch in the city. Then, we'll meet again and travel to Varenna, another charming village where you can enjoy the idyllic scenery.

After Varenna, we'll take the road that leads to Bergamo and visit the city center to delve into its Renaissance past. We'll end the day in this charming city where you'll have dinner on your own and stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 4: Bergamo - Sirmione & Lake Garda - Bergamo

We'll start the day with breakfast at the hotel in Bergamo and then depart for Sirmione, a medieval village located on the shores of Lake Garda. The village is located on a peninsula where a sturdy castle stands tall. To get to know it better, we'll board a boat and enjoy fascinating views of the surroundings. Afterwards, you can have lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, we'll take a panoramic tour of the small town of Riva di Garda before heading back to Bergamo for dinner on your own and rest at the hotel.

Day 5: Bergamo - Verona - Franciacorta - Milan

We'll begin our last day bright and early with breakfast at the hotel. Then, we'll leave Bergamo behind and drive to Verona, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. We'll take a guided tour of the town where we'll visit the exterior of Juliet's House and the Amphitheater Arena, which still preserves its Roman-era structure. We'll also walk through the main streets of the historic center where the most outstanding Renaissance palaces of the city are located!

Afterwards, we'll continue our journey to the territory of Franciacorta, whose gravel and sandy soil on limestone is perfect for growing grapes – we'll learn all about this wine-growing region! At noon you'll have free time for lunch in the area.

Finally, we'll return to the center of Milan and say our goodbyes.

Accommodation

This tour includes 4 nights' accommodation and breakfast in the following establishments:

• Milan: Starhotels Ritz or similar
• Bergamo: Starhotels Cristallo or similar

The prices shown are per person in a single, double, or triple room.