THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY’S LAKE DISTRICT

Start in Milan and depart for Borghetto sul Mincio, a fairytale island village on Mincio River. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit of the Sigurtà Garden Park. Travel on to Lake Garda, and the next day take journey by bus and ferry to the lake’s western side to visit the villages of Salò and Gardone, learn about the eccentric Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio at Il Vittoriale mansion. In the afternoon, take a guided tour and aperitif at the Gardens and Villa of Isola del Garda, the lake’s only private island. The following day, visit Riva del Garda on the northern shore from where you will enjoy a private boat tour to Limone a tiny picturesque village famous for its lemon gardens and to Malcesine. In the afternoon, you will proceed along the eastern shore of the lake with a stop in Cisano for a visit to the local Olive Oil Museum and in the evening enjoy dinner on your own at the lively village of Bardolino.

Continue on to Brescia, a beautiful Roman city with a monumental Roman forum and the former monastery of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia; tour this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating museum. Travel on towards the Franciacorta wine country, to visit a wine estate and discover Spumante, a renowned local sparkling white wine over a delicious lunch. The following day, head out to explore the lovely Lake Iseo. The first destination is Clusane to visit the private collection of Riva Luxury Motorboats and board an original vintage Riva Acquarama to speed on to Montisola, Europe’s largest lake island. Disembark at the pretty village of Peschiera, known for its production of fishing nets, and savor delicious lunch at a fine local restaurant. After lunch time at leisure in the picturesque Iseo, and then transfer back to your hotel.

This morning reach resplendent Lake Como and visit the medieval center of its namesake town, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. The following day travel by boat to Villa del Balbianello, and on to Comacina island for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time in the wonderful Bellagio. Next up, take a day trip to Switzerland, traveling northbound across spectacular valleys, taking in vistas of pristine Sils lakes. Reach the renowned spa resort of St. Moritz, enjoy some free time for lunch and board the Bernina Express, the highest railway across the Alps, showcasing majestic views. In Tirano, the final stop, board the bus to head back to Lake Como.

In the morning, a bus will take you to the village of Orio Valsolda on Lake Lugano, for a visit to Villa Fogazzaro Roi, an enchanting hideaway that inspired writer Antonio Fogazzaro to write his most famous novel. In Switzerland, have lunch in Lugano and visit the lakeside church of Santa Maria degli Angioli with its Renaissance-era fresco by Bernardino Luini. Journey on to Locarno on Lake Maggiore and back to Italy to reach the lakeside town of Stresa, known as the “Pearl of the Lake.” Next day, take a private boat tour of the Borromean archipelago to visit three of the main lake islands: Isola Bella, with its elegant palazzo and gardens; Isola dei Pescatori with quaint houses lining the cobbled lanes. After lunch, travel on by boat to Isola Madre with its unique Botanical Garden with the free ranging pheasants, peacocks, parrots and  the 18th century Palazzo Borromeo. In the evening, unwind in the delightful town of Stresa.