Overview
Rich Culture, Fine Wines, Breathtaking views, Iconic Cuisine, and Colorful History — The country of Italy is known for many things but above all it is an icon of many wonders, earning the nickname Bel Paese which means "The Beautiful Country". Every where you go, there's always something to look forward to.
Italy also has very Majestic Lakes and Islands that houses enchanting Archaeological sites, Neoclassical Masterworks, Luxury Villas and Hotels, Castles and so much more that one should discover and journey upon. What better way to do this than by an Italian Luxury tour. Bask in the beauty of Italy's lakes and Islands while staying in high end hotels and relaxing under the gorgeous amenities!
Itinerary
Your Itinerary
MILAN
You will arrive at the Airport where you will receive assistance and private transfer to Milan city center. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Dinner and Overnight stay at Bulgari Hotel Milano 5* or Similar
ORTA SAN GIULIO
After Breakfast at the hotel, you will depart to Orta San Giulio where you will meet with the guide and cruise through the Orta Lake.
You will have a tour of the Isola San Giulio with its Roman Basilica, the Benedictine Abbey, and the Palazzo dei Vescovi. You will then have a Walk through Via del Silenzio to admire the beautiful Villas and the stunning landscape of the Lake.
LAKE MAGGIORE
You will have Breakfast at the Hotel and meet with the guide. You will transfer to the Isola Madre by Taxi-boat. Guided tour through the largest island, entirely covered by a botanical garden, a unique park that hosts rare plant species from all over the world. There will also be a visit of the Palace with objects from various dwellings of the Borromeo Family.
Not to be missed is the section dedicated to the Puppets’ theater. Transfer to Isola dei Pescatori for lunch at a restaurant.
CANNERO RIVIERA
Depart to the Cannero Riviera and Cannobio villages by taxi-boat, from there you will admire the Castles emerging from the water. Afterwards, you will have a walk through the villages and finger food tasting of typical Lake specialities. In the afternoon, transfer towards the charming Eremo di Santa Caterina, a hermitage clinging to the rock close to the deepest area of Lago Maggiore.
According to a legend, the hermitage was founded by Alberto Besozzi, a wealthy local merchant, who after surviving a thunderstorm during a crossing of the Lake, decided to retire on that stretch of coast to lead the life of a hermit.
COMO
You will transfer to the city of Como by Private Bus. There, you will meet the guide and visit the old town in order to discover the jewels of the beautiful lacustrine city founded by the Romans. The tour includes a pleasant Lakeside promenade to enjoy the view of some of the Villas and continue to the ancient core of the City, admiring some cozy little squares enriched by important monuments such as Broletto and the Cathedral.
There will be a Welcome lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant in Como where you can taste quality cuisine as well as enjoy some moments of relaxation.
COMO
From Cernobbio, you will depart to the City of Lugano by Private Bus. There will be a guided tour of the historic center, renowned for its elegant Lakefront, luxurious shops and its many restaurants. You will have free time for shopping and a refined lunch break where you can taste the excellent Artisan pastry. By the end of the day, transfer to the Mendrisio Outlet FoxTown Factory Stores known for the high quality and originality of the brands. In the late afternoon, come back to Cernobbio.
Accommodation: Dinner and Overnight Stay at Villa d’Este Hotel 5* or Similar.
COMO
Upon meeting the guides, you will Private transfer by bus to Sala Comacina, from where you will board for a small cruise on the Lake of Como. Arrive on the Isola Comacina and visit the archaeological and naturalistic area. Have Lunch in the restaurant with Lake view. In the afternoon, transfer to Tremezzo and visit the Villa Carlotta, an eighteenth-century residence commissioned by the Marquis Clerici which houses a collection of neoclassical masterworks (Antonio Canova, Francesco Hayez, Bertel Thorvaldsen).
It is renowned for its botanical park rich in arboreal essences too. At the end of the visit, return to Cernobbio.
SULZANO
After Breakfast, you will transfer to Sulzano by Private Bus where you will meet with the guide. Cruise through the Iseo Lake around its three islands (San Paolo, Loreto and Monte Isola), landing on Monte Isola, the largest inhabited island in Europe that reaches 600 mt above sea level, and short visit to Peschiera Maraglio.
Transfer by boat to Iseo and reach the Wine Region of Franciacorta by bus. From here it will start an experience rich of scents and flavors. Must-have stage in two Institutions of the Franciacorta cuisine and gastronomy.
RIVA DEL GARDA
After Breakfast at the hotel, you will discover the Alto Garda and its Limonaie, lemon trees’ plantations. Depart by private bus to reach the beautiful town of Riva del Garda. You will meet with the guide and visit the old town. Lunch will be in a restaurant. For the most delicate palate, there is a wide choice from Carne Salada to Strangolapreti.
After the tasting, a boat trip awaits you: the Lake along the eastern shore, passing in front of the Waterfall of Ponale. You will reach Limone sul Garda, from here you will see the typical Limonaie and stop for a short visit.
GORDONE RIVIERA
Today you will head to Gardone Riviera for a visit to the “Vittoriale degli Italiani”, a unique place that deserves to be visited at least once in life. Meet with a guide and tour the Museum-house that was the last residence of the famous poet and writer Gabriele D’Annunzio. Transfer to Salò for lunch. Afterwards, have a pleasant walk through the Old town to admire its sophisticated buildings and guided tasting of the famous Cedrata Tassoni in an elegant liberty palace.
In the late afternoon, return to Lefay Resort & Spa 5* or Similar. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
LAKE MAGGIORE
Journey to Sirmione, a place that has always been chosen and beloved by artists and poets of all ages for its beautiful landscapes and charming atmosphere. Upon meeting the guide, you will embark on a Mini-cruise to enjoy a tour of the peninsula overlooking Maria Callas’ Villa and the archaeological site of Catullo Caves.
Stop by Fonte Boiola to admire the bubbles of an underwater source that flows from the bottom of the Lake. Passage below the village’s bridge at the entrance. Have a guided tour of the charming historic center, protected from its entrance from an elegant fortress called Rocca Scaligera.
MILAN
After Breakfast at the hotel, you will be provided assistance and transfer to the Airport for your return flight home.
Book This Tour
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Terms & Conditions
The rate includes:
• 11 nights in double room at the hotels mentioned in the program (hotel category 5 *) with half board - drinks excluded (BB treatment for the days 04);
• Private tour guide for visits as per program;
• Service assistance as indicated in the program;
• Private bus transfers as per program (included in the quota: motorway tolls, food and driver’s expenses, parkings where provided, ZTL entry passes in the Cities where provided);
• Monument entry tickets for the visits provided in the program;
• Visits and Tastings as per program;
• Meals at elegant restaurants as specified in the program –excluded wines;
• Taxi-boat transfers at Lakes as per program;
• Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant - tasting menu day 04;
• Reinforced aperitif on board water taxi Lake Como day 04;
• Mini-cruise on peninsula of Sirmione;
• Obligatory travel insurance;
• Group Assistance 24/24 h;
• VAT.
The rate does not include:
• City tax; Porterage, tips, free, extra in general and not specified in the program and “rate includes”.
Notes: This program may be modified to suit your specific customer needs. For operational reasons, the program and the hotels may be subject to change and is subject to reconfirmation when booking. Availability and prices may vary in certain times of the year corresponding to fair events, holidays and high season periods and are subject to reconfirmation. These rates are subject to possible VAT and general taxes increases.
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Lake Pleasures is a 12-day, 11-night luxury tour that begins and ends in Milan. It explores Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Lake Iseo and Lake Garda.
Hotels named in the itinerary include the Bulgari Hotel Milano 5-star, Villa d'Este 5-star in Cernobbio on Lake Como and Lefay Resort and Spa 5-star on Lake Garda, or similar. For operational reasons hotels may change and are reconfirmed when booking.
Isola San Giulio is a small island on Lake Orta, visited on day 2 by boat with a guide. You see its Roman basilica, the Benedictine abbey and the Bishops' Palace, and walk the Via del Silenzio past villas with lake views, followed by lunch with a lake view and a visit to the old town of Orta San Giulio.
On day 3 you visit all three by taxi-boat. Isola Madre is covered by a botanical garden with rare plants and has a palace with a puppet theatre collection, Isola dei Pescatori is your lunch stop, and Isola Bella has a Baroque palace and terraced gardens.
The Eremo di Santa Caterina is a hermitage clinging to the cliffs above the deepest part of Lake Maggiore, visited on day 4. Legend says it was founded by a local merchant who survived a storm while crossing the lake. The same day you see the castles rising from the water at Cannero Riviera and visit Cannobio.
On day 5 you tour the old town of Como with its lakeside promenade, Broletto and Cathedral, enjoy a welcome lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant and continue to Bellagio, the Pearl of the Lake. On day 7 you cruise to Isola Comacina and visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, with neoclassical works by Canova, Hayez and Thorvaldsen.
Yes. On day 6 you travel by private bus from Cernobbio to Lugano for a guided tour of its elegant lakefront and historic centre, with free time and a lunch break featuring artisan pastry. You then visit a designer outlet at Mendrisio before returning to Cernobbio. Bring your passport for the border crossing.
On day 8 you cruise around Lake Iseo's three islands, San Paolo, Loreto and Monte Isola, landing on Monte Isola, one of Europe's largest inhabited lake islands, with a short visit to Peschiera Maraglio. You then continue to the Franciacorta area for a food and gastronomy experience with a tasting-menu lunch.
Day 9 explores northern Lake Garda: the old town of Riva del Garda, a boat trip past the Ponale waterfall to Limone sul Garda with its historic lemon houses, and Malcesine with its Scaliger Castle. Day 11 visits Sirmione by mini-cruise, passing Maria Callas' villa, the Grotte di Catullo and the underwater spring at Fonte Boiola.
The Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera was the last home of poet and writer Gabriele D'Annunzio and is now a house-museum. You visit it with a guide on day 10, then have lunch in Salo and walk its old town before returning to your Lake Garda resort.
The itinerary describes breakfast daily, lunch in restaurants on most touring days, including a Michelin-starred welcome lunch in Como and a tasting-menu lunch on day 8, and dinner at the hotel on many evenings. Ask us for the exact meal plan for your dates.
Travel combines private bus transfers with boats, including taxi-boats on Lake Maggiore, a cruise on Lake Orta, a small cruise to Isola Comacina, a boat tour of Lake Iseo and mini-cruises on Lake Garda. Airport transfers in Milan are private with assistance.
The tour begins with arrival at a Milan airport, where you receive assistance and a private transfer to the city centre, with the rest of day 1 at leisure. On day 12 you are transferred back to the airport. International flights are not included.
Italy's northern lakes are at their best from spring to early autumn, when gardens such as Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Villa Carlotta are in bloom and boat services run fully. Prices may be higher in high season and during holidays and trade fairs.
The pace is relaxed, but you will walk through old towns, island gardens and palace interiors and step on and off boats most days. Moderate fitness and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Yes. The programme may be modified to suit your needs, including extra nights at any of the lakes. For operational reasons the programme and hotels may change and are reconfirmed when booking.
Yes. Availability and prices vary during trade fairs, holidays and high season and are reconfirmed when you book. Rates are also subject to any VAT or general tax increases, and the exact fare for your dates is shown on this page or in your quote.
A 25% deposit confirms your booking, and the balance is due 65 days before departure. The exact fare for your dates is shown on this page or confirmed in your written quote before you pay.
Yes. Child pricing uses two bands based on age at departure: 0 to under 5, and 5 to under 12. Single occupancy is available on request, so let us know who is travelling and we will quote accordingly.
Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will answer. Any departure dates listed on this page can be booked directly online; if none suit you, tell us your preferred dates and we will send a quote.
Notes: This program may be modified to suit your specific customer needs. For operational reasons, the program and the hotels may be subject to change and is subject to reconfirmation when booking. Availability and prices may vary in certain times of the year corresponding to fair events, holidays and high season periods and are subject to reconfirmation. These rates are subject to possible VAT and general taxes increases.
Media Gallery
Cannero Riviera
Catullo Caves
Isola Bella
Lugano
Malcesine
Isola San Giulio
Villa Carlotta
Vittoriale degli Italiani
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