Northern Italy and Its Lakes
Overview
Itinerary
Your journey begins in Lake Maggiore where you will settle in for a leisurely 4-night stay, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Alpine lakes region.
This evening, get to know your fellow travelers as you cruise to picturesque Isola dei Pescatori* for a welcome dinner featuring regional delicacies and local wines. (D) Stay: Zacchera Hotels (4 Nights)
Start the morning by strolling the cobbled streets of Stresa. Long-favored by European aristocracy because of its blend of elegant belle-époque mansions, fragrant gardens and charming views, Stresa has inspired artists and writers since the late 1800s. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps you'll take an optional tour and coast along the ethereal waters of Lake Maggiore for an up-close look at the Borromean Islands before docking at Isola Bella,** known as the “beautiful island.” Join an expert guide and venture into the Borromeo Palace, a Baroque beauty with an exotic garden. Then, return to your boat and cruise by the remaining Borromean Islands. (B)
Take a scenic drive along the glittering shores of Switzerland's Lake Lugano before enjoying a day of sunshine and scenic peaks on the stunning banks of Lake Como. Sail to Bellagio, an ancient peninsula home to winding streets and views that will take your breath away. Enjoy some free time to discover the town's secrets on your own before returning to Lake Maggiore in time for dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
The entire day is yours. You may want to soak up the sun on the beach, relax in an outdoor café, or head out on the waves by boat. Perhaps you will take an optional tour to picture-perfect Lake Orta, a hidden gem surrounded by romantic villages and filled with quaint islands, before returning to Lake Maggiore where the evening is yours to enjoy the twinkling lights that illuminate the shores as night falls on the lake. (B)
This morning, head to Sirmione, an ancient village situated on the shores of Lake Garda. Enjoy time at leisure to discover the narrow streets, take in views of its famous sinking castle, or simply relax alongside the bright blue waves of the lake. End the day at your hotel next to Treviso, in the Venetian mainland.
This evening, explore Treviso, an elegant town of painted houses and quaint canals, crossed by the Sile and Botteniga rivers and encircled by a set of Renaissance city walls. (B) Stay: Villa Pace Park Hotel Bolognese (3 Nights)
Start your day with a visit to Murano Island,*** known for its intricate glass making. Witness a glassblowing demonstration, providing a glimpse into the methods behind this fine art. Feel the grandeur of the past come alive as you make your way to Venice, a floating labyrinth settled on a lagoon. Pass through the sprawling St. Mark's Square with an expert guide and admire the Campanile, a brick bell tower that rises above the piazza. Step outside the main square and explore the Castello district, making your way past historic buildings and architecture as you walk the narrow streets. Enjoy some time at leisure before returning to your hotel in time for dinner. (B/D)
The day is yours to discover Treviso however you wish. Perhaps you will choose to explore more of the Venetian mainland on an optional tour to the enchanted hilltop village of Asolo, where the streets echo the footsteps of the poet Robert Browning, composer Igor Stravinsky and explorer Freya Stark. Continue your journey into the rolling hills of Italy's Prosecco region for a visit to a local vineyard where you'll taste the region's sparkling specialty.
This evening, celebrate the end of a memorable journey during a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Wish Italy arriverderci as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Witness a glassblowing demonstration on Murano Island.
- Cruise Lake Como, a beloved retreat of the rich and famous.
- Make your way through the iconic St. Mark's Square in Venice.
- See the famous sinking castle in the Sirmione peninsula.
- Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a farewell dinner featuring local cuisine.
- In Stresa, taste margheritine, a favorite treat created in 1857 for the future Queen of Italy.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $156.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
- Location: Stresa. Cost: $112.
- Surround yourself in the beauty and grandeur found on the lakes of Northern Italy. Cruise along scenic Lago Maggiore passing the Borromean Islands sprinkled throughout this stunning lake. These petite but incredible islands are brimming with grand villas and exquisite, world-renowned gardens. Glide past Isola del Pescatore viewing the gulf of Baveno before making a stop at Isola Bella. Then we make our way along the cobblestone streets of the quaint town to the impressive, Baroque Borromean Palace and gardens. This famed palace is steeped in immeasurable wealth and regal pageantry. On your guided tour, surroundings will bring you back to the 17th century. Get a glimpse inside life as a royal as you stroll through the opulent halls superbly decorated with rare artwork and tapestries. Then, you’ll head outside to the perfectly manicured, tiered gardens that abut the lakeshore. Behold stunning views and the splendor of the gardens as we make our way through with an expert. Return to the boat for a cruise back to Stresa. Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be purchased at least 20 days prior to the tour’s departure. In the event that the option does not meet the minimum number of guests required to operate, guests who purchased the option will be refunded. Borromean Palace is closed from about the last week of October to mid-March. During the closing season, you will enjoy an extended cruise of the lake with a visit to Pallanza village instead. This option operates weather-permitting. Transportation not required as option is within walking distance of hotel.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2022-24)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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