Northern Lakes by Rail | Self Guided Tour | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                      MILAN 

Upon arrival into Milan, make your own way to the hotel. Day is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. Take this opportunity to visit to the Duomo with its terraces, the Castello Sforzesco, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Overnight in Milan. 

DAY 2:                                      MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE 

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Milan Central Station and take the train to Lake Maggiore. The shores of this lake are shared between Switzerland and Italy. The train will take you to Stresa, the most famous resort on the western shore. Make your own way to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, strolling through the beautiful and picturesque streets of this town. Overnight in Lake Maggiore. (B) 

DAY 3:                                      LAKE MAGGIORE 

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, explore the famous Borromean Islands, a small archipelago that owes its fame to its three main islands – Isola Madre, with its 16th-century palace and lush botanical gardens; charming Isola dei Pescatori, home to a small fishing community; and the magnificent Isola Bella, boasting an ornate palace and spectacular terraced gardens created over four centuries. Return to Lake Maggiore in the late afternoon. Overnight in Lake Maggiore. (B) 

DAY 4:                                      LAKE MAGGIORE – LAKE COMO 

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the train station and board the local train that will take you to discover the beauty of another famous Italian lake: Lake Como. The train will pass through valleys and landscapes typical of northern Italy, moving from Piedmont to Lombardy, before arriving in the charming town of Como. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Lake Como. (B) 

DAY 5:                                      LAKE COMO 

After breakfast at the hotel, discover the beauty of Lake Como, on the stretch of the lake that leads from Como to Bellagio. Your included ticket allows you to get off at each stop and visit the various villages on the western shore. Once you arrive in Bellagio, situated exactly between the two arms of Lake Como, dedicate some time to explore this romantic town known for its cobbled streets, elegant buildings and the Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden overlooking the lake. Be careful not to be distracted by such beauty and be sure to check the ferry return times to Como! On the way back to Como, you can admire the changing colours of the lake in the late afternoon light. Overnight in Como. (B) 

DAY 6:                                      LAKE COMO – LAKE GARDA 

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the train station before boarding the train to Milan and then Desenzano. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Lake Garda. Overnight in Lake Garda. (B) 

DAY 7:                                       LAKE GARDA 

Breakfast at the hotel. Day is at leisure to utilise your full day ticket for the public boat on Lake Garda. Overnight in Lake Garda. (B) 

DAY 8:                                       LAKE GARDA 

Breakfast at the hotel. End of services. (B) 

IMPORTANT NOTE (FROM JUNE 2024): DUE TO MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE RAIL TRACK OF LAKE MAGGIORE, THERE WILL BE INTERRUPTIONS TO THIS ITINERARY. 
MILAN-STRESA: WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REGIONAL TRAIN TO ARONA PLUS A REPLACEMENT BUS FROM ARONA TO STRESA. 
STRESA-COMO: WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REPLACEMENT BUS FROM STRESA TO ARONA PLUS A REGIONAL TRAIN FROM ARONA TO COMO.  

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

MILAN: NYX Hotel Milan, or Hotel Bristol 

LAKE MAGGIORE: Hotel La Palma, or Hotel Astoria 

LAKE COMO: Hotel Palace, or Metropole & Suisse  

GARDA LAKE (Desenzano del Garda): Hotel Aquila D’Oro 

INCLUDES: 

• 7 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast in 4* hotels
• One way ticket 2nd class from Milano Centrale to Stresa – regional trains
• One way ticket 2nd class from Stresa to Como – regional trains
• One way ticket 2nd class from Como to Desenzano (Como – Milano – Desenzano) – regional train + high speed train
• One way arrival transfer from Desenzano station to the hotel by private car
• One full day ticket for public boat on Garda Lake
• Return ticket for public boat to the Borromean Islands + entrance ticket to Isola Bella and Isola Madre
• Return ticket for public boat at Lake Como (Como – Bellagio – Como with possibility of intermediate stops)

EXCLUDES: 

• Transfers from/to the rail stations except where specifically mentioned. Note: The hotels are located walking distance from the rail stations
• Tourist city tax, to be paid on the spot. These need to be paid locally
• Entrance tickets to monuments and/or museums, unless listed above
• Lunches and dinners
• Optional tours and experiences
• Extras, tips, porterage, and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

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.
• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• City taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the hotel.
• The itinerary of the tour and the days of excursions may be modified for technical reasons. In any case, all visits and excursions mentioned on the itinerary will be guaranteed or replaced by similar ones.