Lake Como, Northern Lakes & Dolomites: Italy Small Group Tour

24 Jun - 04 Jul 2024 (11 Days / 10 Nights)
AUD $6,864

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What can you expect?

Spectacular Scenery

This tour is designed for small groups to enjoy and experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Lago di Como (Lake Como), Lago di Garda (Lake Garda) and the Dolomites welcome visitors to an oasis of peace and tranquillity in an unspoilt environment. 

Rich Culture

These areas are rich in ancient culture and tradition and dotted with beautiful villages; all with their own special charm and unmatched hospitality.

Explore Milan’s Famous Architecture

The tour starts in Milan, the economic heart of Italy, where the group will enjoy a two day visit of the centre of Milan which will include a special tour of Castello Sforzesco and the famous gothic styled Duomo. 

Experience The Breathtaking Lake Como And Lake Garda

After Milan, we travel to Italy’s most beautiful lake: Lake Como. Our stay will be in the picturesque town of Bellagio. A special ferry ride will take the group on a scenic ride around the lake to enjoy the romantic settings of Menaggio, Tremezzo and Cernobbio. Then we set off to Lake Garda before the scenic spectacle of La Grande Strada delle Dolomiti (the Great Dolomites Road).

Your expert tour leaders, together with their team of local experts, will give you the opportunity to experience these very special parts of Italy. There will be daily strolls with many stops at mountain retreats which provide wonderful eating delights together with unparalleled views. This tour is characterised by a la carte menus and delicious local wines.

The tour comes to an end in beautiful Venice in Piazzale Roma.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore famous Milan, the global capital of fashion and design.
  • Experience Italy’s most beautiful lake, Lake Como (Lago di Como). The group will take a slow boat and meander from village to village before reaching the beautiful town of Bellagio.
  • See everything the Northern Lakes has to offer, from Milan to Riva del Garda to Lake Misurina to Venice.
  • You will be personally guided by the experienced directors of Vita Italian Tours and their team of local experts. With deep knowledge of the area through generations of family living in these areas, experience the areas only the locals go.
  • An exclusive experience with a maximum of 14 guests in our small group tour.

 

2024 Tour Departure: Northern Lakes & Dolomites Tour (11 Days/ 10 Nights)  

  • 24 June 2024 – 04 July 2024 (Final Places)

2025 Departure: Northern Lakes & Dolomites Tour (11 Days / 10 Nights):

  • 23 June 2025 – 03 July 2025

Early-bird bookings for the 2025 departure. Places are limited.

Contact us to find out more.

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Private Tour/Independent Travel: If the tour dates do not fit with your travel plans or independent travel is more your style, why not let Vita Italian Tours plan a tailor-made self-drive or chauffeur driven private itinerary/tour for you. Contact us to enquire today.

What’s included?

  • All land travel in air-conditioned and comfortable mini buses.
  • Accommodation for 10 nights in superior 3 to 4-star hotels in Milano/Bellagio/Riva del Garda and in a mountain hotel in the Dolomites.
  • 10 Breakfasts.
  • 2 Lunches.
  • 8 Dinners.
  • A la Carte meals accompanied by local wines and mineral water.
  • Admission and guided visits of Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi.
  • Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary.
  • Personally guided tours to all the towns mentioned in the tour.
  • Ferry ride across Lake Como from Como to Bellagio.
  • Mid-lake ferry ticket from Bellagio.
  • Return chairlift ticket from Cortina to Faloria.
  • The services of the experienced professional tour leaders throughout the tour.

Detailed itinerary

Meals Included: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Day 1 Milano (D)
Your tour leaders will meet you at the hotel in the centre of Milano at 4.00pm. Introductions and a small talk on the tour will precede an evening walk of the city. We will visit Piazza Duomo and the impressive Cathedral. The first day will finish with a special dinner in a traditional restaurant, giving you a taste of the delights of Italian cuisine.
Day 2 Milano (BD)
Day 2, a local guide will take the group on a walking tour of the historical centre of Milan. Travellers will visit the imposing Castello Sforzesco and its museums, the shoppers’ paradise – Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza dei Mercanti and La Scala Opera House. The itinerary will allow the group to visit one of the greatest masterpieces: the ‘Rondanini Pieta` by Michelangelo’. In the afternoon, there will be free time to visit nearby sights such as Palazzo Reale or perhaps window shop down some of the most famous fashion strips.
Day 3 Milano / Lago di Como / Bellagio (BD)
After breakfast, we make our way to the wonderful Lake Como. Our first destination is the city of Como where the group will have free time to explore the historical centre of the City. In the afternoon, the group will take a slow boat and meander from village to village before reaching the beautiful town of Bellagio. Our three days on the lake will be in a hotel with lake views in the centre of the town. After check-in, there will be time for a rest and then dinner in a truly magnificent setting on the edge of the lake.
Day 4 Bellagio / Lenno (BL)
Our second day on the lake will be a special experience. Firstly, a small ferry ride will take us to Lenno for an interesting guided tour of the famous and mysterious Villa Balbianello with its amazing lake views. The rest of the afternoon is free. During this time you may wish to visit Villa Carlotta: a luxurious palace, completed in 1690, with stunning English gardens. There are also the beautiful towns of Tremezzo, Menaggio and Varenna, also worth exploring. You will then have a free evening in Bellagio.
Day 5 Bellagio (BD)
A peaceful tranquil day on the lake with the morning spent visiting the famous gardens of Villa Melzi on the edge of the lake. The afternoon is free for you to relax and take in the scenery or further explore the small streets of Bellagio. Dinner will be enjoyed in a local restaurant in Bellagio.
Day 6 Bellagio / Riva del Garda (BD)
After breakfast, we make our way to Lake Garda: the largest of all Italian lakes and famous for its tranquillity and breathtaking scenery. Upon reaching the lake, our morning drive will take us along the southern area before a stop at the picturesque town of Bardolino. After some free time for lunch, we continue to Riva del Garda, passing some of the lake’s delightful towns surrounded by lush groves of olives, vines and citrus trees. We will then conclude day 6 with a dinner in Riva del Garda.
Day 7 Riva del Garda (BL)
After breakfast overlooking the beautiful town square of Riva, a local guide will escort the group through the narrow streets of the historical centre of Riva to learn about the history and culture of this beautiful part of Italy. After the guided walking tour, there will be lunch at a traditional trattoria. The afternoon and evening are free to soak in the sun and enjoy the tranquil scenery of the lake.
Day 8 Riva del Garda / Dolomite Road / San Vito di Cadore (BD)
On day 8, we slowly make our way to the Great Dolomites Road which links Bolzano with Cortina D’Ampezzo. It is 100 km of some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe: gorges, waterfalls, glaciers, high passes, bell-laden mountain cows, thick forests and incredible mountains characterise the whole of the journey. Our stay in the Dolomites is close to Cortina in San Vito di Cadore. Dinner will be in a local restaurant.
Day 9 San Vito di Cadore / Cortina D’Ampezzo (BD)
Following breakfast, we continue to experience the scenic spectacle of the Dolomites. Our first stop will be the nearby town of Cortina, known as the “Queen of the Dolomites” where travellers will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful mountain village. The group then catch the Faloria cable car and have lunch at the Rifugio Tondi at 2,327m. We’ll finish a delightful day with dinner in a traditional restaurant in San Vito.
Day 10 San Vito di Cadore / San Candido / Lake Misurina (BD)
Day 10 sees us journeying to the South Tyrol town of San Candido. It has a historical centre closed to traffic making it perfect for exploring the many shops and the collegiate church which dates back to the 8th Century. Then, we will take a short ride to the beautiful Lake Misurina to admire more unforgettable views of the Dolomites. There will be an opportunity to have lunch in one of the many lakefront restaurants or take the Auronzo Chairlift up to 1,573m to view one of the iconic mountain landscapes of the Dolomites: Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Dinner in San Vito di Cadore.
Day 11 San Vito di Cadore / Venice (B)
We will enjoy our final breakfast in the Dolomites before we slowly make our way down to Venice. As we descend passing many beautiful mountain villages, there are opportunities to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains and valleys carved out by the receding glaciers. The group will be dropped off in Piazzale Roma in Venice as the tour concludes.

Pricing

AUD $6,864 pp twin share

The cost of the tour, land content only, is AUD $6,864 per person in twin share accommodation. 

A deposit of AUD $500 is required to reserve a place on the tour which is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled. The full balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Single supplements are available at an additional cost of AUD $1,296. 

The tour is priced on a minimum of 6 people travelling on the tour with a maximum number of 14 people.

Download the full itinerary here. The program appears to be busy and full; however, it is mixed with long restful lunches and leisure time for your enjoyment and comfort. If you need to, you can always take time off from the organised program.

We recommend that you carefully read the terms & conditions applying to Vita Italian Tours.

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Additional information

The weather: it is the height of summer and it can get quite warm and humid in Milan and on the lakes. For this part of the trip we recommend light and comfortable clothing with your favourite pair of walking shoes. You will be staying in comfortable accommodation with air-conditioning. In the mountains, the weather can be warm during the day with cool nights so we recommend bringing a light wind and/or rain jacket. 

Physical expectations: We do not place age limitations on the tour and welcome anyone with a moderate level of physical fitness. Please keep in mind that it is mountainous country, so you can expect it to be very hilly and in some parts the gradients can be quite steep. It is not a hiking tour; however, some walking is required. You should expect to stroll leisurely for up to two hours with many breaks for sightseeing, coffee and a taste of the local produce.

The program appears to be busy and full; however, it is mixed with long restful lunches and leisure time for your enjoyment and comfort. If you need to, you can always take time off from the organised program.

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us here.

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Items not included:

  • Airfares. 
  • Travel Insurance – it is compulsory for every traveller to have taken out a travel insurance policy in order to partake on a Vita Italian Tour. If you require, we can assist in organising a policy for you. Please get in touch to discuss your needs. 
  • Admission fees to places other than those specifically itemised in the itinerary.
  • Meals on the tour not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Drinks outside normal mealtimes or additional wine & other drinks in restaurants, including tea & coffee.
  • Personal transport costs, phone calls & any other personal needs
  • Tourist Accommodation Tax.
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