8-Day Italian Alps, Matterhorn Views & Northern Italian Lakes

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL

Arrive independently at Lake Maggiore, which shares its shores with both Italy and Switzerland. Enjoy an overnight stay at a hotel beside the lake.

DAY 2 – LAKE MAGGIORE

After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide and begin your day’s boat excursion around Lake Maggiore. On this tour, you can visit the lakeside towns of Baveno and Stresa or simply admire their luxurious lakeside mansions from the water as you pass.

Your boat tour will take you to the Borromean Islands; three tiny islands in the middle of the lake which are elegant, historic and very scenic. Isola Pescatori is quiet and picturesque, with many lovely small restaurants, whereas Isola Bella is home to a grand mansion and a very impressive set of gardens and the largest Isola Madre features a palace that is open for visitors.

The scenery from the boat is truly stunning, with villages perched on the slopes that lead down to the lake right up to the water’s edge. You will return to the shore of Lake Maggiore in the afternoon, and enjoy your evening independently before another night’s stay in your hotel.

DAY 3 – FREE TIME

Your third day has been left empty so that you can decide how you want to spend your time, whether that’s relaxing beside the water or setting out to explore the region. Monferrato is perfect for those who have an interest in wine and vineyards, whereas driving to Zermatt will allow you to admire some sensational Swiss scenery and a view of the Matterhorn.

You will spend another evening in Lake Maggiore for your final night in this area.

DAY 4 – MILAN

After breakfast, you will travel from Stresa on Lake Maggiore to Lake Como, stopping for a guided tour of Milan.

Milan is best known as the capital of fashion in Italy, with many famous designers coming from or training in the area as well as popular fashion shows. Art is also everywhere in Milan, and this tour will take you to see masterpieces such as Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Architecture fans will enjoy visiting the impressive Teatro alla Scala and the incredible marble cathedral that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After exploring Milan, you will meet your driver again and continue to the city of Como, where you will spend the night near to the famous lake.

DAY 5 – COMO

Day five of this trip will begin with breakfast in your hotel, followed by meeting your private guide for a walking tour of the city of Como. Como has a varied and interesting history and impressive art scene, but is also a modern city that is full of energy and classic Italian culture.

After walking the streets of Como, you will be taken on a boat ride to the quiet and historic town of Bellagio, travelling on a traditional vaporetto (water bus). Along with views of the surrounding Alps, Bellagio is full of ancient, narrow roads and streets and is home to an impressive Romanesque cathedral, still home to its 12th-century interior elements.

Bellagio is more than just an ancient site, with luxury hotels lining the shore of Lake Como and some elegant streets of shops. After your boat trip, you will return to your hotel and spend another evening beside Lake Como.

DAY 6 – LAKE GARDA

After a final breakfast at Lake Como, you will be met by a private driver and journey to the resort town of Sirmione. The drive will be broken up by trips to other villages on the shores of the iconic Lake Garda.

Lake Garda is one of Italy’s most popular destinations, with palm-covered shores, countryside full of groves and vineyards, and many secluded beaches, parks and nature reserves. It’s a good way to experience a slice of beachside life without being anywhere near to the coast, with the whole area known for its mild weather and very pleasant water temperatures.

With rustic villages lining the shores and hills, delicious local ingredients featuring in every restaurant, and wonderful historic architecture ranging from castles to churches, Lake Garda will enchant you from the very moment you arrive.

DAY 7 – LAKE GARDA

Your last full day of this tour is left free for you to explore the many wonders of Sirmione and the Lake Garda area, or just to spend the day relaxing on the shore or sipping cocktails as you overlook the water.

DAY 8 – DEPARTURE

The tour service ends today, and you will depart Sirmione independently.