This leisurely self-drive tour offers a unique journey through the Northern lakes and north of Italy. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, delicious food and warm hospitality. Discover the sights and history of the famous Italian cities of Milan, Verona and Venice as well as the picturesque towns of the lakes and mountains of this part of the world.
Discover Italian Lakes and Venice – Curated Self Drive
During the tour, the participants will not only discover delightful food and wines but also the most interesting monuments, works of art, churches and natural landscapes of the region:
- Private walking tour of Milan, including Duomo, Italy’s largest cathedral, La Scala opera house and the fashion boutiques in the city centre.
- Picturesque Lake Como with a private guided tour of Bellagio.
- Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake with pretty towns and famous vineyards producing red, white and prosecco wines.
- Bardolino wine tastings and traditional lunch in a local restaurant.
- Private walking tour of Verona, including the open-air Arena where operas are still performed.
- Explore the foothills of the Dolomites with lunch in a typical local restaurant and grappa tasting.
- Private walking tour of Venice as well as time to explore on your own and discover some of its hidden squares and waterways away from the crowds.
Lake Como 3 nights | Lake Garda 2 nights | Verona 2 nights | Venice 2 nights
Day 1: Como Lake
Arrive at Milan Malpensa International Airport, collect your car and drive to your hotel on Lake Como. Check in to your accommodation with time at leisure to inhale the magic. Overnight on Lake Como.
(B)
Day 2: Milan
Breakfast at the hotel before setting off for a drive to Milan. Enjoy a half-day private walking tour of the impressive city centre. Visiting the splendid Duomo Cathedral, which is a striking example of Gothic art and the largest Cathedral in Italy. An almost impossible feat to count the statues squeezed onto its rooftop and façade, there are in fact more than 3.200 of them even before you enter the interior. After the Duomo move on to the stunning Vittorio Emanuele Shopping Gallery, a 19th-century glass vaulted shopping arcade.
Brimming with top fashion shops and cafés, it was used as the connecting pathway from the Cathedral to the famous La Scala opera house. Ensuring the ladies could stay dry on their way to the theatre in case of rain. At the end of the Gallery and in front of is Milan’s and one of the world’s most famous Opera House, La Scala theatre. Founded in 1778 patron to some of the world’s greatest musicians and opera singers such as Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Giuseppe Verdi. Drive back to Lake Como and overnight.
(B, E)
Day 3: Lecco, Bellagio
After breakfast, discover the Lake. A tour which takes you around the splendid coastal panoramas of Italy’s strikingly pretty lake. First, stop in Lecco for a delicious coffee. Take the winding roads as far as beautiful Bellagio. Enjoy time to explore, take in the views and enjoy lunch. Meeting our expert Tour leader in the afternoon who will walk you through the pearls of the Lake. Duration approx. 1 hour leading you to partake in the beautiful boat tour at the end of the visit to discover Como’s unforgettable landscapes and magnificent views as far up as Varenna, known as the diamond of Lake Como. Enjoy some free time to visit the town and later a private transfer will take you to the Vezio Castle, where you will still live the medieval charm of its past and admire at the full view of Lake Como from the beautiful terrace of the olive trees. Here you can relax and enjoy a fantastic aperitif with a superb view! Drive back to your hotel and overnight on Lake Como.
(B, E)
Day 4: Franciacorta, Sirmione
First breakfast, then depart for a picturesque drive to Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda, and the peninsular village of Sirmione. En route do not miss a stop at the famous vineyards area of Franciacorta, famous for their superb dry sparkling prosecco. Visit Cantine Berlucchi, where the famous Prosecco has been produced since 1961. Take time out for lunch then drive to Sirmione. The pearl of Lake Garda is a place to relax and enjoy the natural thermal sulphur hot springs. Overnight in the Sirmione area.
(B, E)
Day 5: Bardolino, Peschiera
Morning departure to Bardolino on the Lake to visit a traditional wine cellar that produces excellent quality red Bardolino wine as well as white and sparkling wines. The vineyards are from the Bardolino estate. Visit the winery and sample the wines in the cellars. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a typical local restaurant. Free time to wander the pretty town. Afternoon drive to another excellent winery at Peschiera of Garda for more tasting. We then suggest a visit to the beautiful little town centre of Peschiera and enjoy a walk along the lakefront. Return to your hotel and overnight.
(B, T, L, T)
Day 6: Verona, Treviso Area
After breakfast, take a short drive to the city of Verona to enjoy a guided excursion. Follow your guide through the old town and discover the Best of Verona, including the Arena, the famous Roman amphitheatre, and stroll around the old city and explore the magic of the Medieval castle and the charming view of Juliet’s balcony as you wander the romantic and enchanting streets of Verona.
Visit Verona Arena which is one of the biggest open-air theatres in the world and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Time at leisure to enjoy lunch and afternoon departure to Treviso or Asiago. Check-in, free time for dinner and overnight.
(B, E)
Day 7: Dolomiti Bellunesi, Marostica, Bassano Del Grappa
Depart for the hills of the Belluno in the Dolomites to arrive at Bassano del Grappa, at the foot of Mount Grappa, where the River Brenta flows into the River Po. Wander across the famous Alpine bridge built by the architect Palladio in the 16th century. Enjoy Lunch at a typical Trattoria, a simple but delicious menu made from the local seasonal produce. Finish lunch and enjoy a very interesting tour of the Grappa Museum in the historical Grappa distillery. Taste some grappa and other local liqueurs and spirits. Free time.
We recommend a visit also to the delightful city of Marostica, the city of Human Chess, wander around the old town centre and stop at the “La Casa Del Parmigiano” grocery store which sells over 200 different types of cheeses, olive oils, wines and the excellent cold cuts. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
(B, L, T)
Day 8: Padua, Venice
Drive to Padua, walk through the narrow streets of its old town, and admire the Renaissance grandeur of its main squares and the Byzantine domes of the St. Anthony shrine. Depart for Venice to arrive at Piazzale Roma, where you drop off your car at Piazzale Roma and transfer to your hotel by private water taxi. Accommodation in your hotel in Venice. Overnight stay.
(B)
Day 9: Venice
After breakfast, a morning visit of Venice to explore the city: St Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and its marvellous rooms, rich in history and decorated by incredible masterpieces made by great artists such as Tiepolo and Tiziano. The Golden staircase will leave you speechless: this was the main entrance to the halls of power where the Doge decided the fate of the Republic! Cross the Bridge of Sighs and go through the dark Venetian prisons, where many important figures were imprisoned, including Giacomo Casanova. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Venice.
(B, E)
Day 10: Venice
After breakfast, checkout and transfer by private water taxi and car to Venice International airport for your return flight.
(B)
Included: B = breakfast, L = lunch, LL = light lunch, D = dinner, T = tasting, E = experience
Moxley & Co special inclusions
- Private walking tour of Milan
- Private guided tour of Bellagio on Lake Como.
- Lake Garda – Bardolino wine tastings and traditional lunch in a local restaurant.
- Private walking tour of Verona
- Dolomites lunch in a typical local restaurant and grappa tasting.
- Private walking tour of Venice
Indicative prices
All of our holidays are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 10-day suggested holiday will cost from £3,352 per person including international flights from the UK, accommodation, car hire, tours and experiences as shown based on two sharing.