Travelpack

Lake Maggiore • Garda • Milan

Explore Northern Italy on a scenic self-drive adventure through Lakes Maggiore, Como, and Garda, with visits to charming towns, historic villas, beautiful gardens, Bergamo, Verona, and Milan. Enjoy breathtaking lake views, rich Italian culture, historic landmarks, and the freedom to discover this stunning region at your own pace.

Day 1:Arrival Malpensa or Linate Airport / Car Hire Pick-Up Lake Maggiore (60 km 1 hr / 115 km 1.5 hr)
Arrival at Milan Malpensa or Linate Airport and pick up the car. Night spent in the region of Lake Maggiore. Please note that this tour is a suggested itinerary. While the sites listed may be visited independently, the package does not cover any applicable entrance or tour fees.
Overnight in the Lake Maggiore area.

Day 2:Lake Maggiore: Stresa and the Borromeo Islands
Breakfast at the hotel. This day is entirely dedicated to the discovery of Lake Maggiore. Leaving from the loading dock of Stresa by ferryboat to visit, by crossing the Borromeo Bay, the three islands of this little archipelago: L'Isola Bella, L'Isola Madre and L'Isola dei Pescatori. On Isola Bella, the Borromeo Palace will be visited, where it is possible to admire the thirty main rooms distributed over two floors. Recently, the Gallery of General Berthier was opened to the public. The Baroque garden of Isola Bella, which is composed of 10 terraces, is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens of Italy.

The next island is L'Isola dei Pescatori, which still has 50 inhabitants and was built in the sixth century. Its main characteristics are the narrow streets, the little boutiques and many restaurants which serve mainly the fish of the lake. There is also a very beautiful little church consecrated to San Vittore. And to finish off, the last island to visit is L'Isola Madre, where the English-style botanical gardens dominate the scene with thousands of plants and flowers.

In the palace, there is period furniture and the puppet theatre. In the garden of Isola Madre, the peacocks, the pheasants and the parrots, combined together, create a joyous atmosphere.
Overnight in the Lake Maggiore area.

Day 3: Lake Maggiore Lake Como Lake Maggiore (250 km 5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lake Como. You will succumb to the charm of this region and discover an explosion of Mediterranean colours of the gardens filled with camellias, oleanders and luxurious palm trees around the light blue lakes. In Lenno, it will be possible to visit Villa Balbianello and then in Cernobbio Villa d'Este. Moving on to Tremezzo, where you will visit Villa Carlotta, an example of the life of the nobility of Lombardy.

They loved living in very beautiful houses surrounded by magnificent gardens and full of treasures of art. Villa Carlotta houses works of Canova, Tadolini and Thorvaldsen. Departure by boat (pax + car) from Cadenabbia (near Villa Carlotta) to Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, a charming villa full of history.

Here we will walk to La Punta Spartivento, where you will be able to admire the bifurcation of the lake and the mountains which surround this enchanting landscape. Then visit some magnificent gardens of Villa Melzi, in addition to a visit of the superb Botanical Garden. Departure to Como and short visit of the city, where we suggest you see some examples of very different but very interesting architecture: the Dome with the Cupolas of Filippo Juvara and la Casa del Fascio (House of the Fascists), which is an extraordinary example of Italian rationalism. You will have the possibility to take a funicular excursion to Brunate, to admire the breathtaking view over Lake Como. At the end of the afternoon, you will leave for Lake Garda. Night spent in the region of Lake Maggiore.

Overnight in the Lake Maggiore area.

Day 4: Lake Maggiore Bergamo Lake Garda (225 km 4.5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Bergamo and stop to visit the Upper City (by funicular). Through the medieval streets, which still have their charm, we will go up to La Rocca, an ancient defensive point where you will be able to admire an unexpected view of the lower city and the valleys in the surroundings. Then we will arrive at Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the city, where there are the ancient palaces of the city and the impressive Campanone. The majestic and unique Piazza del Duomo will welcome us with its Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, a gem of Roman art, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and the Chapelle Colleoni, a unique gem of the Renaissance.

Then walk La Corsarola, the main street of the Upper City, with many ancient and modern shops, restaurants and cafés. Continue to Lake Garda with a stop in the peninsula of Sirmione to visit this beautiful little city. We will visit the Scaliger Castle (Lords della Scala, of Verona), a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by the waters of the lake. The view of the dungeon is splendid. The visit of the famous caves of Catullo is very interesting and rich in terms of the views over the lake. It is a large ancient Roman villa. Take a stroll in this beautiful city and also admire the splendid villas, such as the Villa of Maria Callas. Night spent in the region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in Lake Garda area.

Day 5: Lake Garda Verona Borghetto Parco Sigurt Lake Garda (55 km 1 hr)
Breakfast at the hotel. You cannot miss visiting Verona. The most beautiful places to see are: the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre, the symbol of the city where plenty of prestigious concerts take place and also the famous Verona Festival (dedicated to the opera); the House of Juliette with its balcony; Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori; the Basilica of San Zeno, to understand that Verona is a city that offers some evidence of every era: Roman, medieval, Renaissance.

In the afternoon, you will go to Borghetto sul Mincio, considered one of the most beautiful small villages of Italy. Not far from Borghetto sul Mincio, you will find Parco Giardino Sigurt, an extraordinary public park with a beautiful English-style garden. For anyone with an interest in history, you are very close to Solferino with its battlefield and where the Red Cross was created. Night spent in the region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in Lake Garda area.

Day 6: Lake Garda: Western Shore & North Side of Lake Garda Limone Riva del Garda Lake Garda (186 km 2.5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will arrive at Torri del Benaco and then by ferry you will reach Toscolano Maderno on the western shore of the lake. You will keep heading north and stop at Gargnano, where it is possible to see the ancient orangeries. Through the panoramic road by way of Tignale and Tremosine, you will arrive at Limone sul Garda, the small harbour known for its mild climate.

In the afternoon, continue moving north to visit Lake Ledro, where there is the reconstruction of a prehistoric village and the Museum (not to be missed if you have kids between 8 and 15 years). You will go to Riva del Garda, the northernmost point of the lake in the province of Trento. A beautiful little city, a paradise for surfers. In high season, we suggest you reach Pregasina, 7 km from Riva, with a unique view over the lake. Night spent in the south-eastern region of Lake Garda.

Overnight in the Lake Garda area.

Day 7: Lake Garda Milan (150 km 2 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Milan. This day is entirely dedicated to visiting the city, starting at Piazza del Duomo, where you can admire the Duomo, which is one of the most important symbols of Milan. From Piazza del Duomo, you will go to the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, which was built around 1870 and it is called Salotto di Milano. Your tour will continue by way of the Galleria; you will walk to Piazza della Scala, where it is possible to see the famous theatre La Scala, the temple of Opera.

From Piazza della Scala, the next place to visit will be Castello Sforzesco. This large building was the siege of Sforza, the Dukes of Milan. In the middle of Piazza Sempione, there is l'Arco della Pace, a 25-metre-tall monument from the Napoleonic period. It was built in the neoclassical style and decorated with marble sculpture and Corinthian columns. You will be able to admire the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, but, most importantly, do not miss the visit of La Cena of Leonardo da Vinci inside the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which must be booked in advance).

Lastly, you will walk and go shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele or in the famous Via Montenapoleone, the kingdom of famous fashion brands. Night spent in Milan.

Overnight in Milan.

Day 8: Milan Departure Malpensa or Linate (50 km 1 hr / 10 km 20 min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Delivery of the vehicle at the Milan airports (Malpensa or Linate) and departure to your following destination.

What is included in the offer
• Direct Flights from Heathrow with 23 Kgs baggage.
• 3 nights' stay at Hotel Regina Palace or similar with bed & breakfast.
• 3 nights' stay at Hotel Villa Sofia or similar with bed & breakfast.
• 1 night's stay at NH Hotel Macchiavelli or similar with bed & breakfast.
• Car Hire with Lancia Ypsilon or similar, unlimited mileage.

Prices & Departures:
Total Price Inclusive of Fees:
• C20082 Heathrow from £1499pp
• C20019 Dublin from £1549pp
• C20036 Glasgow from £1609pp
• C20025 Manchester from £1609pp

Payable to Travelpack
• c20082 Heathrow from £1479pp
Deposit: £400pp
• c20019 Dublin from £1529pp
Deposit: £600pp
• c20036 Glasgow from £1589pp
Deposit: £400pp
• c20025 Manchester from £1589pp
Deposit: £400pp

Single Supplement:
Total price inclusive of taxes:
• c20064 Single Supplement from £899

Payable to Travelpack:
• c20064 Single Supplement from £879
Deposit: £600

Local Fees Breakdown - Payable locally
• City Tax: EUR 15.00 in Lake Maggiore
• Local Charges: EUR 12.00 in Lake Garda
• City Tax: EUR 20.00 in Milan
• Rate: 0.87 GBP = £42 total / £21pp
• Exchange rates and local taxes may change before you pay in-resort

Deposit: £400pp

Terms & Conditions:
Based on 2 Adults Sharing

Meal Plans