Amazing Italy with Bernina | Guided Small Group Tour | 13 Days

DAY 1:                                   VENICE   

Upon arrival at Venice Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Venice.  

DAY 2:                                   VENICE   

After breakfast, transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover some of Venice’s most iconic landmarks on a guided walking tour, including Doge’s Palace and the famous Bridge of Sighs. After the tour, unwind with a glass of spritz or prosecco paired with Venetian cicchetti, a local tapas-style treat. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Venice. (B)  

DAY 3:                                   VENICE – VERONA – FRANCIACORTA – BERGAMO 

After breakfast, visit Verona, a city rich in history and culture. Explore Roman ruins, medieval structures, and Renaissance palaces on a guided tour. Don’t miss Juliet’s House and Balcony, famous from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Then, travel to Franciacorta, known for its ideal winemaking soil, for a light lunch with local food and wine. After this, head to Bergamo for the overnight stay. (B, L)    

DAY 4:                                   BERGAMO – SIRMIONE – DESENZANO DEL GARDA – BERGAMO      

After breakfast, set off for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Enjoy a panoramic tour along the west coast, passing the Brenta Dolomites and Moraine Hills, surrounded by lush vegetation. In Sirmione, take a boat tour to admire its picturesque shores, the Scaliger Castle, and the Grottoes of Catullus. After free time for lunch, head to Desenzano del Garda with its elegant lakeside promenade and historical centre that reflects traces of Venetian influence. Dinner and overnight stay in Bergamo. (B, D) 

DAY 5:                                   BERGAMO – COMO – BELLAGIO – MILAN    

After breakfast, travel to Como, renowned for its spectacular lake and Alpine scenery. From here, board a boat to Bellagio, an elegant lakeside village situated where the two southern branches of Lake Como meet. Explore its charming streets, historic villas, lush gardens and beautiful waterfront at leisure. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where your driver will meet you for the journey to Milan. Overnight in Milan. (B)

DAY 6:                                   MILAN – ST. MORITZ (BERNINA EXPRESS) – MILAN    

After breakfast, meet your driver and travel to St. Moritz, where you will have free time to explore this renowned Alpine resort. Later, board the Bernina Express for one of Europe’s most spectacular railway journeys. Travel through the Swiss Alps, passing dramatic mountain scenery, alpine villages, tunnels and the Bernina Pass before arriving in Tirano. Your driver will meet you on arrival for the return journey to Milan. Overnight in Milan. (B)

DAY 7:                                   MILAN    

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, join a local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the city’s historic heart. Start at Porta Venezia, a gate with Roman and medieval origins, and stroll along Corso Venezia. Pass through the Giardini Indro Montanelli, admire the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, and continue along Viale Manzoni. See the exterior of the iconic Teatro alla Scala and the magnificent façade of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo). The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, followed by a relaxing aperitivo. Overnight in Milan. (B)  

DAY 8:                                   MILAN – PESCHIERA DEL GARDA – TRENTO – KALTERN – BOLZANO  

After breakfast, depart Milan and travel to Peschiera del Garda, a picturesque town on the southern shore of Lake Garda. Continue to Trento, admire the impressive Castello del Buonconsiglio and Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. After a leisurely lunch, continue along the scenic South Tyrolean Wine Route to Caldaro (Kaltern), renowned for its vineyards and beautiful lake. Continue to Bolzano for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 9:                                   BOLZANO – MERANO – VIPITENO – BOLZANO   

After breakfast, travel to Merano, a charming spa town known for its cultural heritage and picturesque surroundings. Explore the historic old town before enjoying free time for lunch. Continue to Vipiteno, a picturesque medieval town characterised by colourful buildings and Alpine scenery. Stroll through its charming streets and browse the local shops before returning to Bolzano. Discover the city’s highlights, including the Gothic-style Bolzano Cathedral (Duomo) and Via dei Portici, its lively main street. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Bolzano. (B)

DAY 10:                                 BOLZANO – BRESSANONE – BRUNICO – CORTINA   

After breakfast, depart for Bressanone, a charming town in the Eisack Valley, known for its historic medieval centre and Bressanone Cathedral. Continue to Brunico, where you can explore its colourful medieval streets and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Kronplatz. Continue to the spectacular Lake Braies, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Dolomites, or Lake Anterselva if access to Lake Braies is unavailable. Both offer stunning scenery and excellent photo opportunities. Continue to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where dinner and overnight accommodation await at the hotel. (B, D)

DAY 11:                                 CORTINA – LAKE MISURINA – LAKE DOBBIACO – SAN VITO DI CADORE – CORTINA  

After breakfast, set out to explore the spectacular surroundings of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dolomites, with panoramic mountain views and glimpses of the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Continue to Lake Misurina, the largest natural lake in the area, framed by dramatic mountain scenery. Then visit Lake Dobbiaco, known for its striking emerald-coloured waters. Continue to San Vito di Cadore, a picturesque village surrounded by the UNESCO-listed Dolomites and the impressive peaks of Mount Antelao and Mount Pelmo. Return to Cortina for free time before dinner and your overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 12:                                 CORTINA – BASSANO DEL GRAPPA – MILAN  

After breakfast, travel to Bassano del Grappa, a charming town in the Venetian Prealps. Explore its historic centre, with cobbled streets, medieval towers and elegant Venetian palaces. Visit the famous Ponte Vecchio (Ponte degli Alpini), designed by Andrea Palladio and offering beautiful views over the Brenta River. Continue with a visit to the Grappa Museum, where an informative multimedia experience explores the history and production of grappa. Conclude with a tasting of five varieties of this traditional Italian spirit. In the afternoon, continue to Milan for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 13:                                 MILAN  

After breakfast, departure transfer to Milan Airport. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

VENICE: Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto area), or Hotel Delfino (Mestre area), or Hotel Hampton by Hilton Venice Isola Nuova (Tronchetto area)   

MILAN: Hotel Concorde, or Hotel Ramada Plaza  

BERGAMO: Hotel Cappello D’Oro 

CORTINA: B&B Hotel Passo tre Croci Cortina 

BOLZANO: Stadt Hotel 

INCLUDES: 

• 12 nights’ accommodation in a combination of 3 and 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day of tour
• Guided sightseeing tours in Venice, Milan and Verona
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Scenic boat transfers on Lake Como and Lake Garda
• Bernina Express train ride
• Wine tasting
• Local food experiences

EXCLUDES: 

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless stated otherwise)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Beverages
• Hotel taxes and or service charges
• Tips
• Everything which is not mentioned in “includes”

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.
• Tour can be a combinate ion of regular tours; therefore, coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• If the minimum participant requirement is not met, the bus will operate with two tour leaders, with at least one guaranteed to speak English only.