Milan & Beyond | 8 Days

Make your own way to the meeting point.
One of our professional guides will walk you through some of the most memorable architectural gems of Milan, starting with the medieval castle – Castello Sforzesco – once house of the ruling family, the mighty Sforza dynasty, and its court which included artists, such as Bramantino and Leonardo Da Vinci himself, who decorated the frescos of the Sala Delle Asse. Now the castles host several museums and art collections.
Passing through Via Dante and Piazza Mercanti, which once welcomed merchants from all over the world, you’ll admire a breath-taking view of Milan’s Cathedral – Duomo, one of the world’s largest, most striking gothic cathedrals. Our guide will explain to you why it took half a millennium to finish the 135 spires and 3,200 statues, crammed onto the roof and façade of the building.
Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, a 19th century glass vaulted shopping arcade. Brimming with fashionable shops and cafes, it is often called the ‘salotto di Milano’ or ‘Milan’s drawing room’ because of its importance over the years and today it is a common meeting point for the people of Milan.
Crossing the gallery, we enter a wide square which is home to the prestigious Opera House, where some of the world’s greatest musicians and opera singers have performed including Pavarotti and Giuseppe Verdi – La Scala. Included in this package, we are happy to offer you a 24-hour entry ticket, so you can spend some more time exploring the theatre and its museum at the end of our tour.
For the cherry on top, we will conclude our walking tour at Santa Maria delle Grazie, house of the UNESCO World Heritage “The Last Supper”, where you will have a fast access thanks to your skip the line ticket. A perfect way to end your deep dive in the Milanese architectural and art experience.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Close your eyes and imagine feeling the sea air in your hair, the scent of salt under your nose, and the heat of the sun on your skin. Imagine opening your eyes and seeing a rainbow painted on the houses located on the hill in front of you with the sea as a frame. It just seems like a dream, right? But no, starting from May this dream becomes reality.
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north-west part of Italy. Explore the villages and the ruins overlooking the sea, venture among the olive groves and vineyards or simply walk to the harbour and sit on a dock and lose yourself watching the fishing boats along the shore.
Make your own way to the meeting point. Leaving Milan, you arrive directly at Cinque Terre and via a scenic route on the coast, you reach Manarola, one of the most scenic villages huddled on the sides of a rocky outcrop, with the tall colourful houses leading down to a small harbour. Here you will have some free time to discover the village, explore local flavours, and visit the 13th century Church of San Lorenzo with its Gothic façade.
Before the lunch break, we will hop on a train to our next stop: Monterosso al Mare, the biggest of the five villages. You will have some free time to admire the remains of middle age fortifications in the old village, built back in time to protect the area from the frequent pirate attacks; or wander the lovely seafront promenade to encounter the huge statue of Neptune, a concrete and iron colossus that was built by Arrigo Minerbi and Francesco Levacher in the early 20th century.
However, Cinque Terre is not only a place to visit but a place to be observed in all its beauty. Let it leave you breathless in a 90 minutes boat cruise that will take you along these five beautiful lands, giving you the chance to savour the same sea breeze of the traders of the past.
After this memorable experience, you will arrive at La Spezia city where your Tour Guide will be waiting for you, and afterward, you can relax and take a rest until it is time for your arrival back to Milan.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

On the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland, spectacular Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy and known for its incredible beauty.
Make your own way to the meeting point.
Your tour will take you from Milan to picturesque Stresa, on the western shores of Lake Maggiore. Stresa is a lovely town with beautiful villas and gardens, some of which are open to the public. With a comfortable climate, Stresa offers stunning lake views, and you can also take the cable car up to Monte Mottarone for views of the Alps and the lakes.
Next, hop on board for a cruise on Lake Maggiore, and admire the stunning scenery as the boat takes you out to the Borromean Islands.
You’ll visit Isola Bella, or “beautiful island”, just offshore from Stresa. On this rich historical island, you’ll visit the Palazzo Borromeo, an exquisite palace dating back to the 17th century. You’ll also be able to explore the beautiful palace gardens.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Milan can be really fun and extravagant, but how about a chilled and relaxed scenic drive along the serene Ligurian Coast?
Make your own way to the meeting point.
See stunning sights of Genoa, such as San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Palace of the Doges, and the Royal Palace. Sail along the Ligurian coast to the glamorous fishing village of Portofino, a popular escape for celebrities. Relax in the charming harbour of Portofino, full of colourful fishing boats and houses, and finally, discover the picturesque harbour of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Also known as “La Superba” meaning “the superb one” due to its impressive landmarks, part of the old town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Explore streets rich in art, gastronomy, and architecture. As the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, its role in maritime history is beyond comparison. Once one of the “Maritime Republics,” along with Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi, the ornate buildings and monuments reveal a rich story of trade and shipbuilding.
Next, relax at the pearl of the Ligurian Sea at Portofino, a small village that dates back to the Roman period. Its glittering harbour and colourful waterfront houses have made it a much sought-after destination among celebrities, while its Roman name of Portus Delphini (Port of the Dolphin) reflects the large number of dolphins that inhabited the Tigullian Gulf.
End your tour at Santa Margherita Ligure, where the maritime scenery and turquoise sea blends beautifully with the green of the Ligurian hills, colourful fishing boats bob in the harbour, and picturesque fishermen’s houses transport you back to a less hurried time.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Make your own way to the meeting point.
This tour is your chance to see the ancient and largest opera stage in the world, along with the picturesque setting of Lake Garda.
Upon arrival in Verona, join an interesting 2-hour walking tour around the city centre. You will discover that Verona is one of Italy’s loveliest towns, a major stop on the Shakespearean tourist trail.
The city is rich in archaeological sites, with a beautiful medieval centre. The Roman Arena, where concerts and operas are performed in summer, is the city’s grandest sight; see Piazza Bra lined with cafes, government buildings and fashionable shops and, last but not least, the famous ‘Juliet’s Balcony’, the principal point of interest for lovers of Shakespeare, where Juliet is believed to have waited for her lover Romeo.
After your visit of Verona and free time for lunch, transfer to the enchanting southern part of Lake Garda.
The beautiful lakeside towns have charmed foreign visitors for centuries, this area was once the summer resort for the ancient Romans.
The pretty town of Sirmione is on the southern shore of Lake Garda, perched on the end of a long promontory and known as the summer residence of the Roman poet Catullus. Take in the narrow medieval streets, bustling with life and colour, and the ancient castle Rocca Scaligera.
Take home some great pictures of the serene blue waters of Lake Garda surrounded by mountains and lots of lush vegetation. At the end of your allotted time in Sirmione, depart for Milan once again.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Make your own way to the meeting point.
Discover Lake Como in Italy’s beautiful Lake District, just a short distance from Milan. Nestled between the huge snow-capped Alps that rise up from its shores, is the fashionable lakeside town of Como.
After your 1-hour coach journey from Milan, start your tour of Como visiting two of its historical attractions: the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio and the neoclassical Villa Olmo on the lake. Continue into Como’s historic centre and enjoy some free time to get to know the town and shop in the many local boutiques.
Following this, you will take a two-hour panoramic cruise on Lake Como to the enchanting village of Bellagio. Lake Como is the third largest lake in Europe and it is surrounded by stunning alpine scenery and beautiful villages famed for their high quality silk production. Admire the lakeside villas and keep an eye out for Villa d’Este at Cernobbio, a luxurious hotel set in tropical gardens. The mild Mediterranean climate ensures that an abundance of exotic and rare plants thrive all year round.
Docking at the town of Bellagio, one of the most famous towns on the lake, you can follow the steep alleys running up from the lake and stop for a coffee or gelato at one of the lively cafes housed in grand historic buildings. Spend some time at leisure here before taking a cruise to Cadenabbia and back to your coach for the return journey to Milan.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Transfer to Milan airport or train station. End of services.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Touring with multilingual guide

Tours as per itinerary

7 Breakfasts

Transportation by air conditioned vehicle

Skip the line access and reservation to the Last Supper

Train trip from Manarola to Monterosso for day tour to Cinque Terre

Boat trip to Monterosso to La Spezia for day tour to Cinque Terre

Boat trip from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino

Boat cruise on Lake Maggiore

Boat cruise on Lake Como

Beverages during meals and any meal not expressly listed above

Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling

Passport and visa fees

Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned

City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)

Any items of personal nature