Italian Lakes Private Tour – Lake Maggiore and Lake Como

Available April to October

From AUD 4,850 per person

Holidaymakers have been flocking to the Italian lakes for centuries, and with excellent reasons. The natural beauty of the lakes is complemented by the elegant villas that dot the shores, and fishermen’s hamlets and ports have been transformed into pretty resort towns. 

This eight-day private tour gives you the chance to visit the most famous places on the lakes: the Borromean Islands, Bellagio and the elegant lake villas, as well as some less-known spots such as Lake Orta, Lake Lugano and the Valtellina. 

As with all our private tours, the itinerary is completely customisable and can be adjusted to your ideal pace and style of holiday. There are lots of additional activities that can be included like water sports, a cooking class, photography lessons, hiking to list a few.

The included accommodation is in gorgeous lake-view rooms in two hotels chosen for their atmosphere and location. We can also arrange accommodation in apartments or luxury hotels if you prefer.

The price of the tour will vary based on the size of your group, the time of year you are travelling and any variations to the itinerary.

Contact us now to start planning your private tour!

 ITINERARY

 DAY 1 – ARRIVAL AT LAKE MAGGIORE
Start your Italian Lakes tour with a private transfer from Milan’s Malpensa airport or railway station to your lake-side hotel in Intra-Verbania. Check-in to the lake-view room and start enjoying bel’Italia!Meals: NA
Overnight: Intra Verbania 

DAY 2 – THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS
Meet your expert local guide this morning for a day exploring the Borromean Islands by private boat. You’ll visit Isola Madre first, where you can admire the beautiful gardens and lake views. Your guide will take you to the Isola dei Pescatori, where there will be free time for lunch before visiting Isola Bella. Isola Bella has a spectacular villa and grand Baroque gardens. 

Take your private boat back to the quiet town of Intra in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Intra Verbania 

DAY 3 – LAGO D’ORTA
Your car and driver will pick you up in front of the hotel for the short drive (less than one hour) to the less-known Lago d’Orta. Enjoy a morning wandering around the pretty town of Orta San Giulio and take the ferry across to the Isola San Giulio to visit the architecturally significant Basilica San Giulio. It’s one of the most important Romanesque buildings in all of Piedmont. 

Your driver will meet you after lunch to take you to the hilltop above the lake to visit the Sacra Monte, a devotional series of chapels dedicated to Saint Francis. Enjoy the quiet spirituality of the site and the breathtaking views over Isola San Giulio and the lake.
Drive back to Intra Verbania in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Intra Verbania 

DAY 4 – SWITZERLAND, LAKE LUGANO AND BELLAGIO
Today you will move from your hotel in Verbania to your next base in Bellagio on Lake Como. Your driver will pick you up mid-morning, and you’ll follow the lake road up to the northern tip of Lake Maggiore, perhaps stopping to stretch your legs and have a coffee in Locarno. You’ll leave the shores of Lake Maggiore behind and drive on to Lake Lugano, stopping in the town of Lugano for lunch, before travelling on to Bellagio in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Bellagio 

DAY 5 – PRIVATE BOAT TOUR OF LAKE COMO
This morning, you are in for a real treat. Your private boat will pick you up directly in front of the hotel and take you on a two-hour tour of the central lake. The boat will drop you at the pretty town of Varenna, which you can then explore on foot, taking the ferry back to Bellagio whenever you feel like it. In the afternoon, you can take a wander down to the gardens of Villa Melzi or walk over the hill to the pretty hamlet of Pescallo.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Bellagio 

DAY 6 – THE VALTELLINA 
Leave the lake behind this morning to immerse yourself in the rural life, visiting the Valtellina. Your driver will take you north along the eastern lakeshore to the Valtellina, famous for its mountain scenery, cheese production and wines. You’ll stop at a local winery for a private visit,   tasting and lunch before returning to Bellagio in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Bellagio

DAY 7 – THE VILLAS OF LAKE COMO 
Today you will visit two of the most important villas on Lake Como, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello. Your local guide will meet you at the hotel and accompany you first to Villa Carlotta, taking you through the villa’s interior with famous works by Canova and Hayez and through the expansive gardens. 

You’ll continue by ferry to the town of Lenno, where you’ll have free time to get some lunch before your guide takes you by boat to the Villa Balbianello. This villa occupies perhaps the most spectacular site on Lake Como, on a small promontory on the western shore and has been used as a location in several films, including Casino Royale and one of the more recent Star Wars films.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Bellagio 

DAY 8 – DEPARTURE
Included on the final day of your tour is a transfer to Milan’s Malpensa airport or Milano Centrale station. 

You may choose to extend your stay on the lake for a few days of R&R or add on a few days in the bustling city of Milan. We’re happy to help with your travels.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: NA