This 11-Day Milan, Venice, Dolomites and Italian Lakes tour is a comprehensive tour of Northern Italy’s highlights. The itinerary includes northern Italy’s natural beautys the Dolomites and the Italian Lakes. Plus it includes Northern Italy’s two famous cities Milan and Venice.
In the Dolomites region the tour includes visiting Trento, Cortina, and Bolzano.
In the Italian Lakes region the tour stays on Lake Maggiore. it includes an excursion to Como on Lake Como. It includes a stop in Sirmione on Lake Garda. And there is an optional excursion to Lake Orta.
Submit the form for the price of the Northern Italy tour wih airfare from your home city.
Highlights
Milan, Venice, Dolomites and Italian Lakes Sightseeing Highlights
- MILAN – walking tour of historic cneter with local expert tour guide. See outside of the Duomo and La Scala Opera House.
- VERONA – a stop in the town for time to see the center and Romeo & Juliet balcony.
- TRENTO – walking tour of the pristine streets decorated with stone castles and modern edifices during an orientation of this alpine city.
- BOLZANO – Explore the streets and squares to admire the Tyrolean-style architecture of this town flanked by impressive mountains.
- CORTINA – Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cortina, a small town framed by magnificent alps as your Travel Director conducts an orientation.
- VENICE – see glassblwojng demonstration by local artisans.
- VENICE – With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark’s Square and see the Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica.
- VENICE – Delight in the magic of this charming city as you glide along the canals by gondola.
- LAKE GARDA – Excursion to Sirmione on Lake Garda.
- LAKE MAGGIORE – Visit Italy’s second-largest lake and see the beautiful towns, villages and gardens
- BAVENO – During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
- COMO – Take in the exquisite views of the lake and its alpine backdrop as you enjoy an orientation of this magnificent town.
- ITALIAN LAKES – This tour includes optional experiences on three Italian lakes; Lake Como, Lake Orta, lake Maggiore
Milan, Venice, Dolomites and Italian Lakes Tour Package Includes
- 7-nights fist class accommodations
- 9 buffet breakfasts and 4 authentic northern Italian dinners
- Luxury air-conditioned coach
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
- An expert Tour Director
- Audio Headsets Provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
Accommodations
Milan, Venice, Dolomites and Italian Lakes Tour Accommodations
Milan 1 Night: Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City
The chic designed Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City is centrally located and offers minimalist rooms with a comfortable feel.
Trento 1 Night: NH Trento
Located in the newly created Albere district, both the hotel and surrounding area were designed by famed architect Renzo Piano.
Cortina d’Ampezzo 2 Nights: Hotel de la Poste
The oldest hotel in Cortina, the De La Poste started in 1804 as post station and later becoming an inn. Run by the Manaigo family from its early years, today it is honored by the exclusive recognition of the “Historical Places of Italy”.
Venice 2 Nights: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio Venice is a hotel with traditional and modern elements complete with a door opening onto a canal.
Baveno 3 Nights – Hotel Simplon
Hotel Simplon is located mere minutes from the center of Baveno, along the banks of Lake Maggiore. Its pink façade showcases the famous local marble, while the interiors provide a classic, luxurious feel. The hotel features a permanent art exhibition of famous paintings displayed along one of its corridors.
Optional Tours
Optional tours are subject to change. Optional tours are available at added cost. They are arranged with the tour director while traveling.
Bolzano Visit and Ötzi the Iceman
With our Local Expert, we’ll discover some of the spectacular highlights of Bolzano, including the Archaeologic sensation, media star, research topic and museum object: Ötzi in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. Ötzi is a glacier mummy from the Copper Age, who, thanks to extraordinary circumstances, has been preserved to the present day.
Highlights of Innsbruck
Travel through the splendid Alpine valleys of the Brenner highway, this scenic route leads us to the enchanting city of Innsbruck. Explore the magnificent Ski Jump and the awe-inspiring Wilten basilica.
Immerse yourself in the heart of the city as we discover its grandeur with our Local Expert, including the iconic Golden Roof and the charming, colorful houses that line the streets. With time to indulge in some shopping as well as to savor the delicious specialty of the regional cuisine.
This optional will only run when the resort activities are in low season.
Grand Tour Of The Dolomites
Explore the colorful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites – one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps.
Your full-day of discovery includes a thrilling cable car ride to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking 360 degree views.
In a unique combination of nature and history, learn about the incredible war waged in the mountains with a visit to a WWI museum. Complimentary coffee and strudel is included.
Please note this optional is weather and season dependent.
Dinner in the Mountains
This evening we’ll drive through the countryside to the foot of the Tofane Mountain in the heart of the Dolomite Ranges, where we’ll enjoy fantastic cuisine in a superb setting.
We’ll soak in the atmosphere of a popular local restaurant while enjoying traditional Northern Italian hospitality and sampling delicious regional specialties and local wine.
Please note this optional is weather and season dependent.
Burano Excursion & Meal
Leave the hustle of St Mark’s Square behind on a delightful private cruise around the islands of the Venetian lagoon. At the island of Burano, a photographer’s paradise, famous for its candy colored houses, artisan lace makers and leaning bell tower that would give Pisa a good run for its money. Enjoy a superb meal sampling the local specialties with wine included.
Hidden Venice
To only experience Venice’s big set pieces is to miss out on a hidden world full of surprises! Join a Local Expert for a fascinating walk through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. The back lanes and ‘campi’, small squares, where tourists seldom tread are full of history and great places to sample local life.
Venetian Splendor
Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world and, after the crowds have left, it’s at its most beautiful.
We board our private water taxis and are whisked down the most famous canal in Venice – the Grand Canal! We witness the beautiful and spectacular palazzi adorning the most famous ‘street’ in Venice then travel under the remarkable Rialto Bridge to arrive in the center of it all, Piazza San Marco!
There we have seats reserved outside a famous Venetian cafe, in front of a live orchestra! We enjoy a drink and gaze out at illuminated St Mark’s sights while being serenaded.
This is Venice at its most unique and magical. An evening not to be missed, with images and sensations you’ll never forget!
Lake Orta Cruise
With our Local Expert, we’ll experience the historical and spiritual heart of Lake Orta, one of the hidden gems of the Italian Lake District.
From the comfort of our private launch, we’ll enjoy the natural beauty of the lake, its backdrop of wooded hills and the mystical sacred island of San Giulio.
Lake Como Cruise
Enjoy a scenic cruise on Italy’s most famous lake. See some of the most beautiful villas in Italy – homes to the rich and famous where many have stayed including Gianni Versace, Sophia Loren, George Clooney, Mussolini and Churchill just to name a few.
Afterwards there is free time to enjoy shopping in the boutiques of Como, famous for its silk products.
Isola Bella
The premier attraction of Lake Maggiore is the Borromean Islands. We’ll take a private boat over to Isola Bella, the most famous island, renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens. Our Local Expert will take us on a guided tour of this privately-owned palace, with free time to admire the gardens. A must!
Milan, Venice, Dolomites and Italian Lakes Tour Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Depart the United States
Depart on overnight flight from the United States to Milan.
Day 2 Arrive in Milan
Transfer from Milan airport to Milan hotel.
Later meet your Travel Director and join a local historian to navigate through Milan’s history. See the impressive facade of Milan Cathedral and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Linking the two is the elegant glass vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques.
Mingle and get to know your fellow travelers during dinner at a local restaurant.
MEAL(S): Dinner
HOTEL: Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City
Day 3 Milan to Trento via Verona
Cross the fertile plains of Lombardy to fair Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers.
Explore its maze of elegant squares and visit the well-preserved Roman Arena, still used for opera performances.
Explore Verona with choice of two walking tours. You may opt for a walking tour through the grand piazzas, see the statue of Dante and admire the Gothic tombs of the Scala family.
Alternatively, embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Afterward, continue on to Trento, regarded as one of Italy’s most appealing cities to live in.
MEAL(S): Breakfast
HOTEL: NH Trento
Day 4 Bolzano and Cortina d’Ampezzo
Follow the Adige River north into the magnificent mountains and the distinctive limestone peaks of the Dolomites.
Arrive at the town of Bolzano, where Italy and Austria culturally collide and you are at leisure to explore the arcaded streets and squares.
Afterward, continue along the zig-zagging scenic route to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most exclusive ski resort and a beautiful alpine haven during summer.
MEAL(S): Breakfast & Dinner
HOTEL: Hotel de la Poste
Day 5 Free Day to Explore Cortina
Enjoy a day at your leisure in this fashionable playground of the rich and famous, surrounded by towering cathedrals of rock.
Take in the fresh mountain air as you stroll the pedestrianized Corso Italia, lined with designer stores and backed by the impressive green and white bell tower of the parish church.
Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks for magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites?
MEAL(S): Breakfast
HOTEL: Hotel de la Poste
Day 6 Travel from Dolomites to Venice
Travel down through more majestic Dolomite scenery to one of the world’s most breathtaking wine regions.
Protected by the Alps to the north and caressed by the warm breezes from the Adriatic, the vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine, prosecco.
Stop in Conegliano, where great care is taken to ensure these hand-picked grapes produce the world’s finest prosecco. See how production differs from its more famous French counterpart, champagne. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavors.
Afterward, continue on to the unique and remarkable island city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic and check into your hotel.
MEAL(S): Breakfast
HOTEL: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Day 7 Venice
The day begins with a traditional glassblowing workshop, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.
Afterward, see Venice from a private boat, cruising past palazzos and churches to St. Mark’s Square. See the gilded basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs.
Then the magical Venice day continues with a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy traditional local songs, as you drift along in romantic awe.
Afterward, spend the afternoon as you wish.
As night falls, consider joining an option exerience to savor the magic of St. Mark’s Square with its orchestras and alfresco cafes.
MEAL(S): Breakfast
HOTEL: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Day 8 Venice to Italian Lakes via Lake Garda
Depart enchanting Venice and journey to Lake Garda. Admire the castle and views over the lake from the stylish resort of Sirmione perched on the tip of its peninsula.
Afterward, cross the fertile lands of Lombardy to Lake Maggiore where Baveno beckons.
Later you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.
MEAL(S): Breakfast & Dinner
HOTEL: Hotel Simplon
Day 9 Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, enjoy the glamour of the Italian Lakes, a prime people watching spot where Europe’s rich and famous like to spend their time.
Today enjoy an excursion to Como. Revel in the ambiance of Como town, renowned for its celebrity clientele, beautiful silk scarves and lakeside location, which you can admire during your orientation.
MEAL(S): Breakfast
HOTEL: Hotel Simplon
Day 10 Lake Maggiore
Relish a full day to relax and enjoy this popular resort and beautiful lake. Napoleon came here to plan his Italian Campaign, and Mussolini and Chamberlain met here before World War II to sign the Treaty of Stresa.
Perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? Isola Bella is where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace.
Savor delicious Farm-to-Table cuisine during your dinner, accompanied by some exquisite Italian wines. Raise a glass to your travels and newfound friends.
MEAL(S): Breakfast & Dinner
HOTEL: Hotel Simplon
Day 11 Depart Milan for United States
Your journey draws to a close in the morning and transfers arrive at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. For trasnfer to be included plane must depart after 11:30AM.
Click here to see all trips to Northern Italy
