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Italian Renaissance

North lakes, Milan with Bernina Express Experience

Days:

6 Days - 5 Nights

Cities:

Milan ⋅ Bernina Express ⋅ Como ⋅ Bellagio ⋅ Bergamo ⋅ Sirmione ⋅ Riva del Garda ⋅ Verona ⋅ Wine Tasting Franciacorta ⋅ Milan

Experience the beauty, culture, and flavor of Northern Italy on this immersive six-day journey. Begin in Milan, where a private transfer brings you from Malpensa Airport to your hotel before meeting your expert guide for a three-hour walking tour through the historic heart of the city. Stroll from Porta Venezia through elegant Corso Venezia, past the lush Giardini Indro Montanelli and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, continuing toward the iconic Teatro alla Scala. Admire the magnificent Duomo di Milano and end your walk at the imposing Castello Sforzesco, where a refined aperitivo awaits.

On the second day, embark on the legendary Bernina Express, a UNESCO-listed railway offering spectacular alpine scenery as you travel from Tirano to glamorous St. Moritz. Enjoy free time before returning to Milan.

Day three brings you to Lake Como, with a visit to charming Como and a scenic boat ride to Bellagio. Explore its elegant villas and narrow lanes, then continue to Bergamo for dinner and an overnight stay.

Discover Lake Garda on day four, including Sirmione’s castle, Catullus’s Grottoes, and the Venetian-influenced town of Riva del Garda. On day five, explore romantic Verona with a local guide, then enjoy a light lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta before returning to Milan for your final night.

Departure Dates

Contact us for departure dates


Itinerary

DAY 1

Welcome to Milan! Meet our driver at Milan Malpensa Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, meet your professional local guide at the hotel and set off on a three hour walking tour through the heart of Milan. Going down via Spallanzani, you will reach Porta Venezia (literally Venice Gate), one of the historical gates to the city. It has medieval and maybe even Roman origins, and it gives the name to the city district all around it. An urban legend has it that the other name it is known as - “Porta Renza” - stems from Renzo Tramaglino, co-protagonist of he novel The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, who enters Milan exactly from this access. You will proceed toward Corso Venezia and take a shortcut inside Giardini Indro Montanelli, a public garden. Opposite the gardens, you will go past GAM, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (modern art museum). Proceeding along Viale Manzoni, you will head for La Scala opera house (Teatro alla Scala), inaugurated on 3 August 1778. The theater underwent major renovations from early 2002 to late 2004.

 

Then, get ready to take in the stunning Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano). Your tour guide will illustrate its main features. The last stop will be the majestic Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress built in the 15th century by the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza. In its vicinity, we have chosen a refined bakery for you to be able to relax and taste a typical aperitivo (happy hour). At the end of the aperitivo, the tour is over and you will have some free time before returning to the hotel on your own.

 

Overnight stay is in Milan.

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DAY 2

This is the day of your Bernina Express tour, on board “the train that snakes its way up to the mountain peaks". Just like sitting in a theater, you will admire unique views from your seat on board the Bernina Train, a piece of history (it is 100 years old) and a World Heritage train. After breakfast at the hotel, meet our driver and reach Tirano. You will get on board there and start this ride along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world, with its unsurpassed alpine views. As the train winds its way over the Alps, occasionally passing through mountain tunnels, and puffing its way past a myriad of towns and villages, a number of highlights will catch your attention. Look out at the Swiss Alps as you ride along the Bernina pass to St. Moritz, and then enjoy free time to explore it. Meet your driver to return to Milan (meeting point in St. Moritz).

 

Overnight stay in Milan.

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DAY 3

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then prepare for a short visit to Como, a tourist destination for its vicinity to Lake Como and the Alps. Amazing views over the lake and the alpine valleys are guaranteed! The lake itself, sometimes called Lario, has long been famous for its y-shape and for Bellagio, that you will reach by boat. This little gem town lies at the intersection of the lake’s two southern arms, with the Alps dominating the horizon to the north, and is home to some of the most charming landscapes in Italy. Spend some time exploring this picturesque village and its small streets, luxury hotels, villas, and gardens, and have lunch at your leisure in one of the many restaurants or cafés. Back on board, you will make your way to Tremezzo/ Villa Carlotta where you will meet the driver and begin your journey to Bergamo, a truly historic and artistic jewel characterized by its urban structure: the città bassa (or lower town) is modern and dynamic, while the famous città alta (or upper town) houses the city’s medieval heart.

 

Check in at your Bergamo hotel, dinner y overnight.

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DAY 4

Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is the next destination. After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll embark on a panoramic tour of the lake’s west coast, immersing yourselves in the breathtaking natural landscape. This includes the Brenta Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the gentle slopes of the Moraine Hills of Lower Garda. You'll be surrounded by lush vegetation, from lemon trees to oleanders, magnolias, and bougainvillea. Upon reaching Sirmione, where Lake Garda and its surroundings are at their finest, you'll see the sun reverberating on the lake’s blue waters, the tree-lined shores, Sirmione Castle, as well as the ruins of Catullus’s villa or Grottoes of Catullus (the 1st-century BC poet owned a villa here) during a boat tour. Once you’re through, you will have some free time for lunch before departing for Riva del Garda. Located on the north side of the lake, you will see its quaint Venetian-style historical center.

 

Dinner and overnight stay in Bergamo.

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DAY 5

After breakfast, reach “fair Verona”, a museum en plain air. A local professional will be waiting for you and take you on a guided tour. The fascinating mix of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic) is a blend of Nordic as well as Mediterranean influences that is both ancient and modern. A walk through its narrow streets will allow you to get in touch with Verona’s varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its medieval structures, its magnificent renaissance palaces, as well as the impressive fortifications protecting it. The combination of art and history will amaze you. Two of William Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona: “Romeo and Juliet” is by far the most famous one. We suggest taking a look at the so-called Juliet’s home (and its balcony, said to have been the legendary balcony of the famous “Oh Romeo, Rome” tragedy’s scene). It is a medieval building located in via Cappello. Capello is the name of a family who resided in the edifice in the 14th century. After the Verona tour, you will drive toward the territory of Franciacorta, whose soil consisting of gravel and sand over limestone is ideal for the cultivation of grapes and for winemaking. This is why we chose this place for your next stop. This is where you will enjoy a light lunch and taste some local food as well as the renowned local wine. After this experience, you will head for Milan, where you will have the last overnight in Milan.

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DAY 6

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Arrivederci!


Tour Highlights
  • Local guide in Milan and Verona

  • Food & Wine tasting

  • Scenic boat transfers

  • Unique Bernina Express ride

  • Happy hour experience in Milan

  • Light lunch in Franciacorta region

  • Lake Como & Lake Garda

Inclusions
  • Hotel accommodation at listed hotels or similar

  • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach

  • Monolingual tour-escort in English

  • Visits with local expert guide as per itinerary

Exclusions
  • Tips

  • Porterage service

  • Drinks (except where in the experience)

  • Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned

  • City taxes. ( City tax to be paid directly by clients to at the hotle upon arrival or at check out. Amounts vary depending on the hotel category.)

  • Everything not mentioned in the paragraph "The tour includes...

Hotel List
  • Milan = Antares Hotel Concorde BW Signature Collection (4★)

  • Bergamo = Capello D’ Oro (4★)

Tour Cost Per Person

Twin

US$ 2,036.00 per person

Triple

US$ 2,036.00 per person

Single Supplement

US$ 830.00per person

N.B. Surcharge of US$ 110.00 per person (twin/triple) & US$ 190.00 per person (single room) apply for Aug. 29 & Sep. 12 departures!


Notes:

  • All prices are person

  • One child aged 1 to 6 years old stays free when sharing the room with their parents (only one child per room will be free)

  • City tax not included: to be paid directlly at the hotel.

  • Drinks are not included in meals.

 

All prices are listed in USD. Prices subject to change without prior notice.

Terms & Conditions apply.
Contact us for details of the full terms and conditions.

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